Teeth Grinding Hoppers Crossing, Werribee, Point Cook & Tarneit
Bruxism is the medical term for involuntary Teeth Grinding or clenching, and can affect both adults and children. It happens commonly when people are asleep and most of the time, they are unaware of the issue. Normally it is the partner or the parents that pick it up the problem as they can hear the grinding at night time.
What causes Teeth Grinding?
Teeth grinding has many different causes, and our experienced dentists will do a full exam to figure out what's causing yours. It might be just one reason, or it could be several factors combined. Here are some common causes of teeth grinding:
- Stress, anxiety, or anger
- Certain medications (antidepressants, antipsychotics) and substances (amphetamines, cocaine)
- Medical conditions like Huntington's disease, Parkinson's disease, cerebral palsy, and ADHD
- Nerve or muscle disorders affecting the face
- Excessive alcohol, caffeine, or tobacco use
- Sleep-related disorders
- Poor bite alignment due to missing teeth or teeth in incorrect positions
Bruxism Symptoms
People that grind or clench their teeth often present to the dentist with the following problems:
- Severe headaches and ear pain
- Jaw pain when opening and closing the mouth
- Neck pain and stiffness around the face and temples
- Injuries to the tongue and inside of the cheeks
- Chipped or broken teeth
- Teeth that appear worn down and shorter than normal
- Tooth sensitivity to hot and cold foods or drinks
- Pain or tenderness when biting down
- Clicking or popping sounds from the jaw joint
How Aqua Smiles can Help
Treatment for teeth grinding depends on how severe it is and what's causing it. If left untreated, it can lead to permanent damage to your teeth and jaw joint.
Our dentists will create a personalised treatment plan for you. In some cases, we may work together with doctors and physiotherapists for comprehensive care. When stress is the main cause, treatment typically focuses on improving sleep habits and stress management techniques to promote a healthier lifestyle.
To prevent your teeth from cracking and breaking, our dentist may need to:
- Make a custom night guard (occlusal splint)
- Repair damaged teeth with fillings
- Put crowns on severely broken teeth
- Teach you jaw exercises to help relieve tension
What is an Occlusal Splint?
An occlusal splint is essentially a night guard that you wear while sleeping. It's an excellent solution for preventing further damage from teeth grinding and clenching. The splint is custom-made to fit your teeth and goes over either your upper or lower teeth. Its purpose is to stop further scraping and flattening of your teeth whilst relieving jaw pain symptoms. You'll still grind your teeth, but the pressure and force on your teeth and jaw is significantly reduced.
Is an Occlusal Splint comfortable?
Since it's a personalised treatment that fits uniquely over your teeth, it's comfortable for most people, except those with a severe gag reflex. There are different types of splints depending on your needs - our dentists can provide thin splints, soft splints, hard splints, or a combination with a soft inner lining and hard outer surface. Hard splints can last up to 5 years, and caring for them is simple - just brush it after use and store it safely.
How do I get an Occlusal Splint?
Call our clinic on (03) 9748 7271 or book online for an appointment with our friendly team so they can properly diagnose you. After that, they'll take impressions of your teeth and you'll receive your splint within 1-2 weeks. At your second appointment (the fitting visit), your splint will be fitted and adjusted as needed to ensure it's as comfortable as possible for home use.
Locations
Our clinic is located in Hoppers Crossing, just across the road from Pacific Werribee shopping centre, making it easy and convenient to visit. We regularly see patients from Werribee, Point Cook, and Tarneit who trust us for high-quality, compassionate care.
We offer onsite parking and are easily accessible via public transport—just a 2-minute walk from the Barber Dr/Derrimut Rd stop on the 170 bus route. Whether you're local or coming from a nearby suburb, Aqua Smiles Dental is here to make your dental filling experience smooth and stress-free.
FAQs
Hard splints can last up to 5 years with proper care. Looking after your splint is simple - just brush it after each use and store it in a safe place.
Yes, you'll still grind your teeth whilst wearing the splint, but that's perfectly fine. The splint significantly reduces the pressure and force on your teeth and jaw, preventing further damage and relieving jaw pain symptoms.
After your initial appointment where we take impressions of your teeth, you'll receive your custom-made splint within 1-2 weeks. You'll then return for a fitting appointment where we'll adjust it to ensure maximum comfort.
