How to stop clenching and grinding your teeth

Signs you have been grinding your teeth 

Teeth grinding or clenching most commonly happens in our sleep, which can make it tricky to control or even identify. 

But there are some other clues that could suggest you have a bruxism issue, says dentist Dr Jenifer Jiang. Waking up with an aching jaw or a dull headache are telltale signs.

“You can also get pain in the teeth, sensitivity to hot and cold food and drink, earaches, muscular pain in the face, or stiffness and pain in the jaw joint muscles,” Dr Jiang says. “You can have issues with opening up your jaw really wide, or clicking when you’re trying to eat.”

How to stop grinding your teeth in your sleep

If you’re grinding your teeth while you’re asleep, addressing the underlying causes and risk factors may help. These risk factors may include stress, mental health issues, sleep problems, drinking alcohol or caffeine, particular medications or the use of illicit drugs.

Your doctor or dentist may be able to help unpack any underlying causes, and provide advice to protect your teeth.  

See your doctor

Talk to your GP to try to determine the cause of your grinding and clenching – this will help guide how to manage it.

In some cases, your doctor might prescribe you medication that can relax the jaw muscles, reducing the grinding.

Protect your teeth with a specially fitted mouthguard

To protect your teeth at night, your dentist can fit you with a custom-moulded mouthguard called an occlusal splint, which you wear over your teeth while you sleep. This won’t necessarily stop the grinding action itself, but it will prevent further wear and damage to the teeth, and help give your jaw and face muscles a rest.

Manage stress and your mental health 

For many people, managing stress is a useful way to reduce clenching and grinding. Relaxation techniques like meditation, mindfulness and breathing exercises can all be helpful, as can counselling and therapies like cognitive behavioural therapy.

If you think you may be experiencing a more serious mental health issue, like depression or anxiety, your doctor can organise a mental health plan and refer you to some trusted mental health services. 

Medibank health insurance members can chat to a mental health professional with 24/7 Medibank Mental Health Support at no extra cost.^* Call 1800 644 325 or log in any time of the day or night, 7 days a week. 

Improve your sleep hygiene

There are many things you can do that can help improve your sleep. Some simple things include: 

• Reduce your caffeine and alcohol intake, particularly in the hours before bed.
• Quit smoking, or avoid cigarettes before bed: The nicotine in cigarettes acts as a stimulant. One of the best thing you can do for your sleep and your health is to quit smoking, but if you do smoke, try to avoid cigarettes for at least 2 hours before bed. 
• A regular routine, where you go to sleep and wake up at the same time can help improve sleep. 
• Do something relaxing before bed time, and try to avoid screens.
• If you snore or think you may have sleep apnoea, speak to your doctor about your concerns. 

Can a sports mouthguard protect my teeth from grinding? 

A sports mouthguard can help for protecting the teeth, but the dimensions are not quite right to stop night-time grinding, says Dr Jiang.  

“The sports mouthguard material is quite rubbery, so it can actually encourage more nocturnal chewing. It’s better to get a properly fitted night guard from the dentist which is thicker and made of the right material. The mouthguard should work with your resting muscle length dimensions and encourage your jaw muscles to rest."

How to stop clenching your teeth while you’re awake 

If you’re clenching and grinding during the day, the first step is to bring your awareness to it, so you can start to break the habit loop, says Dr Jiang. 

“If you’re aware of it, remember that you have control during the day, and you can stop the habit,” Dr Jiang says. “Just keep reminding yourself – you know it’s bad for your teeth and your muscles and jaw joints. Try some breathing techniques to relax if feeling tension. Otherwise simply stopping the habit over time should get rid of it during the day at least."