Teeth grinding: what to do
Quick answer
How do I stop grinding my teeth at night?
You cannot always stop night-time grinding by willpower, but you can protect your teeth.
A custom night guard from York House Dental Practice in West Byfleet (from £295) takes the force off the teeth while you sleep. Where jaw joint pain or headaches are the main problem, a Michigan splint (£625) may be recommended. Reducing stress, caffeine and alcohol in the evening also helps many people.
What you need to know
Signs of grinding (bruxism) include waking with a sore jaw or headache, flattened or chipped teeth, sensitivity, cracked fillings, and a partner hearing you grind. Many people only find out when the dentist spots the wear pattern at a check-up.
Shop-bought boil-and-bite guards are bulky and can shift the bite if worn long term. A dentist-made guard is thinner, fitted to your teeth from a scan or impression, and checked so it does not alter how your teeth meet.
Protecting teeth early is far cheaper than repairing them later — grinding is a common reason crowns, veneers and bonding fail. Ask at your check-up. If you already have cosmetic work, see how long veneers last.
Care at York House Dental Practice
Welcoming new patients, families and emergency appointments from West Byfleet, Woking, Weybridge, and across Surrey.
Last reviewed: by Dr Kaveet Patel, Principal Dentist
