I’ve dealt with bruxism and TMD since university — bad enough at times that headaches and jaw pain genuinely got in the way of studying. It’s part of why I take it seriously with patients, and why I know first-hand that “just relax” isn’t much use as advice on its own.
Written by Dr Kathryn Al-Dhafeeri
What is Bruxism and How Does It Affect You?
Bruxism is the habit of clenching or grinding your teeth, often unconsciously. It can happen during the day—sometimes triggered by stress or concentration—or at night during sleep. Left untreated, bruxism can cause:
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Jaw pain or tightness
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Headaches and facial pain
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Earaches or neck pain
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Tooth wear, chipping, or cracking
TMD affects the jaw joint and surrounding muscles. Common causes include:
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Clenching or grinding teeth (bruxism)
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Straining jaw muscles (e.g., biting nails, holding pens, chewing large foods)
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Overuse of the joint (excessive gum chewing, yawning, or tough foods)
Causes of Tooth Grinding
Bruxism can arise from multiple factors:
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Stress and anxiety – common triggers for daytime grinding
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Sleep disorders – nighttime grinding may be linked to airway issues
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Jaw alignment or overuse – habits like chewing gum or biting hard foods
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Lifestyle factors – caffeine, alcohol, or certain medications can worsen symptoms
It’s important to understand that you often can’t just “stop” grinding your teeth.
Read more in 5 Things You Should Know About Tooth Grinding
How I Manage My Bruxism
Over the years, I’ve learned several effective strategies to reduce flare-ups:
Stress management. Exercise is the biggest lever for me — when I’m not moving regularly, the clenching gets noticeably worse.
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- Heat therapy. A warm compress on the jaw muscles at the end of the day eases tension before it builds up overnight.
- Jaw awareness and gentle exercises. Checking in on whether my teeth are touching at rest (they shouldn’t be) and doing simple jaw stretches has made a real difference.
- Avoiding hard or chewy foods when my jaw’s already feeling tight — no point adding fuel to it.
- Physio, when it’s more than I can manage myself. For patients whose jaw muscles are seriously tight or painful, a referral to a physiotherapist who works with jaw/TMD patients can help in a way self-care alone doesn’t.
Why Early Treatment Matters
I chipped a tooth before I got serious about managing this, which is what finally got me into a custom hard splint — protects my teeth, though it doesn’t touch the muscle tension itself. If you want the detail on what grinding actually does to your teeth and how a splint helps, I’ve written about that separately in What Tooth Grinding Does to Your Teeth.
Untreated bruxism can cause severe tooth damage. Over time, teeth may:
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Wear down and shorten
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Chip or crack
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Shift in alignment due to compensatory changes in the jaw
What is a Dental Splint?
A dental splint is a custom-made, hard plastic device that fits over your teeth. It:
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Prevents teeth from rubbing together and wearing down
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Reduces the risk of chipping or cracking
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Can slightly adjust jaw positioning for comfort
What to expect at your dentist:
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Examination of teeth for wear and jaw joint assessment
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X-rays or imaging if other complications are suspected
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Scans of your teeth to create a custom-fitted splint
If a sleep disorder is suspected, you may also be referred to a sleep physician, as bruxism can be linked to obstructive sleep apnea.
More Than Just Teeth
If you experience tooth grinding, jaw pain, headaches, or snoring, it’s best to get checked early. Early treatment is simpler, less expensive, and more effective.
For children who grind their teeth or snore, evaluation is also important—these can indicate airway problems such as enlarged tonsils, adenoids, or a narrow palate.
Takeaway
Bruxism is common, but manageable. With early detection, lifestyle adjustments, and treatments like dental splints, you can protect your teeth, reduce jaw pain, and prevent long-term damage.
At Dentistry on George, we help patients across Brisbane manage bruxism and TMD with gentle, professional care. Don’t wait until damage occurs—schedule a consultation with our Brisbane dentists today.
