This is very common and your partner may have informed you that you do this in your sleep, you might find that you wake up with a sore or tight jaw or suffer tension headaches and tooth wear. There are a variety of treatments available however it is usually best to start with conservative measures and jaw exercises. Night guards or ‘occlusal splints’ can also be beneficial.

The forces exerted on teeth during clenching and grinding are far in excess of and last for much longer than those during normal activities like chewing. This is why clenching and grinding can cause tooth wear but is also why the outcomes of restorative dentistry work are less predictable for these patients. If it seems like you clench or grind your teeth, we would usually advise to provide you with a night guard at the end of treatment in order to protect any restorations you have received.