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Teeth grinding and jaw pain in Kallangur

TMJ Treatment and Teeth Grinding in Kallangur

Say goodbye to a sore, clicking jaw

Waking with a stiff jaw, a dull headache at your temples or teeth that look flatter than they used to? These are common signs of teeth grinding and clenching, known as bruxism, and of strain on the jaw joint (the TMJ). At Kallangur Dental Surgery we offer TMJ treatment that starts with finding what is driving the problem, then protecting your teeth and easing the load on your jaw, most often with a custom night guard.

Custom night guards made from impressions of your teeth
Assessment of tooth wear, bite and jaw movement

Book an Appointment (07) 3886 0933

Your next step

Waking with a sore jaw or headache?

Grinding damage builds quietly, but it can be slowed. Book an appointment at Kallangur Dental Surgery and we will check the wear on your teeth, assess your jaw and bite, and talk you through the options, including a custom night guard made for your mouth.

Book an Appointment (07) 3886 0933

Custom night guards fitted to your teeth
Check of tooth wear, bite and jaw joints
HICAPS claiming for all health funds
Repairs for chipped and worn teeth

Accredited & compliant

Illustration of clenched teeth with worn, flattened biting edges

Bruxism and TMD

Teeth grinding at night and jaw pain

Bruxism is grinding or clenching your teeth without meaning to. Most people do it in their sleep, often without knowing until a partner hears it or a dentist notices the wear. Others clench during the day, at the computer, while driving or when concentrating.

The temporomandibular joints sit just in front of your ears and let your jaw open, close and slide. When they and the chewing muscles are overworked, you can end up with a temporomandibular disorder (TMD, often just called TMJ). Signs include:

jaw pain or tiredness, especially in the morning
clicking, popping or grating when you open your mouth
a jaw that catches or locks, or is hard to open wide
headaches around the temples, earache or a stiff neck
worn, chipped or sensitive teeth, and cracked fillings

Stress and anxiety, poor sleep, sleep apnoea, caffeine, alcohol, some medications and an uneven bite can all play a part. Arthritis or an old jaw injury can also affect the joint.

Dentist feeling a patient's jaw joints as he opens his mouth during a TMJ assessment

What we look for

Can a dentist treat TMJ pain?

Yes, dentists are often the first to pick it up. At your appointment we check your teeth for wear facets and cracks, feel the jaw muscles and joints, watch how your jaw opens and closes, and look at how your teeth meet. We will ask about sleep, stress and headaches too.

For most people the first line of care is simple and reversible: a custom night guard, soft food for a while, a warm compress and jaw relaxation exercises. If your symptoms point to something beyond the teeth, such as arthritis in the joint or a sleep breathing problem, we will suggest you see your GP or a physiotherapist who works with jaws, and we are happy to work alongside them.

Your options

Bruxism and TMJ treatment options

Treatment depends on what is behind your grinding and how much damage has already been done. These are the options our Kallangur dentists use most.

Custom Night Guards

A thin, custom-made guard worn while you sleep. It sits between your upper and lower teeth, taking the wear so your enamel does not, and can ease strain on the jaw muscles.

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Bite Correction

If crooked teeth or an uneven bite are adding to the problem, clear aligners can gradually bring the teeth into a more even position.

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Repairing Worn Teeth

Teeth worn or cracked by grinding can be rebuilt with crowns or bonding to restore their shape and strength, ideally once a guard is protecting them.

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Sleep Apnoea Appliances

Snoring, gasping at night and daytime tiredness can go hand in hand with grinding. We can talk about whether an oral appliance might help.

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Man relaxing his jaw with a warm heat pack before bed, his clear night guard in its case on the bedside table

Things you can do

How do I stop grinding my teeth at night?

There is no switch that turns grinding off, but these steps can reduce how often it happens and how much it hurts:

Wind down before bed. Stress is the most common trigger, so a regular routine, stretching or breathing exercises can help.
Warmth on the jaw. A warm compress for ten minutes before sleep relaxes tight muscles.
Cut back on caffeine and alcohol, especially in the evening.
Rest your jaw during the day. Lips together, teeth apart, tongue resting on the roof of your mouth. Avoid chewing gum and very chewy food while your jaw is sore.
Protect your teeth at night with a custom night guard, and have wear checked at each check-up and clean.

Good to know

Teeth Grinding and TMJ - frequently asked

How much does a custom night guard cost?

The cost depends on the type of guard your teeth and jaw need, and we confirm it in writing after your assessment. Many extras health fund policies cover part of the cost, and we can claim on the spot through HICAPS. Compared with repairing cracked teeth and worn fillings later, a guard is usually a much smaller outlay.

Is a chemist night guard good enough?

Boil-and-bite guards from the chemist are only a stop-gap. They are bulky, can loosen and may not cover all your teeth evenly, and a poorly fitting guard can sometimes make clenching worse. A custom guard is made from a scan or impression of your teeth, so it fits closely, is thinner and is more comfortable to sleep in.

What causes teeth grinding?

Stress and anxiety are the most common triggers, along with poor sleep, sleep apnoea, caffeine, alcohol, smoking and some medications. An uneven bite can contribute. Often it is a mix, which is why we look at the whole picture.

Will a night guard stop me grinding?

A night guard protects your teeth from the grinding rather than stopping the habit. By spreading the forces, it can also ease morning jaw pain for many people. Working on triggers like stress and caffeine alongside the guard can help reduce symptoms further.

What happens if teeth grinding is not treated?

Over time grinding wears enamel away, chips and cracks teeth, breaks fillings and crowns, and can lead to sensitivity, jaw joint problems and regular headaches. Repairing that damage is far more involved than protecting the teeth early.

Do children grind their teeth?

Yes, and many grow out of it as their adult teeth come through. Mention it at your child's check-up so we can keep an eye on any wear and let you know if anything needs doing.

Still have questions?