Teeth Grinding: The Damage It Causes and How to Protect Your Smile- Bruxism Part 2

If Part 1 was the “why,” this is the “so what, and what now?” Teeth Grinding- Bruxism can be sneaky. It starts with tight jaw muscles or morning headaches, then shows up as tooth wear, sensitivity, or cracks. The good news: you can absolutely protect your smile.

How teeth grinding (bruxism) harms teeth and jaws

• Tooth wear & fractures: flattened edges, chips, cracked cusps, and worn/broken fillings. As enamel thins, dentin is exposed- hello, sensitivity.

• Gumline notches (abfraction-type lesions): heavy forces flex teeth; acids can deepen these “nicks.”

• Jaw/TMJ & muscles: morning stiffness, aching, clicking, headaches, earaches, and limited opening during flare-ups.

• Dental work at risk: crowns, veneers, and fillings can loosen or fracture under heavy clenching forces.

Why fixing worn teeth can be a long (and expensive) journey

Heavily ground-down teeth often need complex restorative care:

• Bonding/onlays/crowns to rebuild height and shape.

• Root canals if cracks or deep wear reach the nerve.

• Bite (occlusion) adjustments and sometimes orthodontics for stability.

• Multiple visits and lab work with future replacements if grinding continues.

Restorations are strong, but nothing beats protecting natural teeth. If you invest in new crowns/veneers, a night guard helps protect that investment.

What actually helps (choose what fits you)

1. Custom nightguards (occlusal splints)

A night guard is a helmet for your smile. It doesn’t need to stop grinding to help. It reduces tooth-on-tooth damage and spreads forces more safely. Custom devices fit best and can be adjusted over time.

Care tips for nightguard: rinse daily, brush gently with liquid soap, let it dry in a ventilated case, and bring it to check-ups for fit checks.

2. Daytime habit training

Set reminders: “lips together, teeth apart, tongue resting up.” Unclench during emails, driving, and deep focus. Ditch pen-chewing and marathon chewing-gum sessions. If you clench a lot at work, ask your dentist about a slim daytime guard.

3. Sleep & stress support

Create a calm wind-down, keep a steady bedtime, dim screens, and ease late caffeine/alcohol/nicotine. If you snore or feel unrefreshed, ask about sleep-apnea screening. Treating sleep issues can reduce nighttime bruxism bursts.

4. Medication review

If grinding started after a new medication (e.g., some antidepressants), talk to your prescriber. Don’t stop meds on your own; adjustments may help.

5. Botulinum toxin (select cases)

For some, carefully dosed Botox can reduce painful overactivity in jaw muscles. It’s not first-line for everyone; discuss pros/cons and expectations with a qualified clinician.

6. Tooth-friendly daily care

Use fluoride toothpaste daily. After acidic foods/drinks, wait 30–60 minutes before brushing. Manage reflux if present. Keep regular check-ups; tiny cracks are easier (and cheaper) to fix early.

When to seek urgent help (bruxism-specific)

• Cracked tooth with severe pain or visible pink/red center (pulp exposure).

• Tooth split after a clenching or grinding event.

• Jaw “locks” (stuck open/closed) or won’t open wider than two fingers.

• Rapid facial swelling or fever with tooth pain.

If any of these occur and you can’t reach your dentist, visit your local health center or regional hospital. Otherwise, call your dentist!

Bottom line

Bruxism is common and manageable. Pair awareness (spot the signs), protection (night guard + habit coaching), and support (sleep/stress care, regular visits). Protecting your teeth now is far easier and far less costly than rebuilding them later.

P.S. Curious why clenching sometimes feels calming? Dive into the science in Part 3- Mastication as a Stress-Coping Behavior (great for dentists and dental students).

About the Blogger

Dr. Dhanraj Budhai

Dental Surgeon/ Implantologist

Dr. Dhanraj Budhai has over a decade of experience, specializing in Implant Dentistry. As the founder of Smile Designers, he is dedicated to delivering state-of-the-art dental care. Outside the clinic, he enjoys photography and spending time with his cats.

"My team and I are committed to exceptional dentistry. We embrace innovation and stay at the forefront of dental advancements to ensure our patients receive the highest-quality care."

References (Bruxism Part 2)

1. Mayo Clinic- Bruxism: diagnosis & treatment

2. American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM)- Sleep bruxism resources

3. ResearchGate- Botulinum toxin and occlusal splints for the management of sleep bruxism in individuals with implant overdentures: A randomized controlled trial