Grinding wears down teeth. Understanding why it happens matters.
Teeth grinding and jaw pain are often connected to how your bite fits together. A specialist orthodontist can assess whether a malocclusion is contributing to the problem and determine the right management approach.
What teeth grinding is and how to recognise it.
Bruxism is the unconscious clenching or grinding of teeth, most commonly occurring during sleep. Many people are unaware they grind their teeth until a dentist identifies the wear patterns, a partner notices the sound, or symptoms such as jaw pain and morning headaches become persistent.
The signs of grinding include teeth that appear worn flat or chipped, increased tooth sensitivity, jaw muscle soreness — particularly on waking — headaches concentrated at the temples, and a clicking or popping jaw joint. Over time, untreated grinding can cause significant damage to the teeth and strain on the jaw joints.
At Claremont Orthodontics, Dr Denize assesses grinding from an orthodontic perspective — examining not just the damage, but the underlying bite mechanics that may be contributing to it. This is a distinction that matters for patients across Claremont, Nedlands, and Perth's western suburbs who have been grinding for years without a clear explanation of why.
How your bite can contribute to grinding and jaw pain.
When the upper and lower teeth do not meet evenly, the jaw muscles compensate. This compensation — repeated thousands of times during sleep — can drive clenching and grinding behaviour.
A deep overbite, crossbite, or other malocclusion can create uneven contacts that the jaw tries to resolve by shifting and grinding. While stress and other factors also contribute to bruxism, addressing the bite component can reduce the mechanical triggers. This is where an orthodontist's understanding of bite mechanics provides an advantage over symptom management alone.
How grinding and TMJ concerns are assessed and managed.
Comprehensive bite and joint assessment
Dr Denize examines the teeth for wear patterns, assesses the jaw joints for clicking, tenderness, or limited movement, and analyses how the upper and lower teeth come together. This assessment determines whether a malocclusion is contributing to the grinding or TMJ symptoms, and what role orthodontic treatment could play in management.
Occlusal splints and night guards
A custom-made occlusal splint protects the teeth from grinding damage and can reduce the load on the jaw joints and muscles. Unlike over-the-counter guards, a professionally fabricated splint is adjusted to provide an even, balanced bite surface. Dr Denize can fabricate and precisely adjust splints at the Claremont practice for patients from Subiaco, Cottesloe, Mosman Park, and surrounding areas.
Bite correction for contributing malocclusion
If a malocclusion is identified as a contributing factor — for example, a deep overbite creating premature contacts, or a crossbite causing jaw shift — orthodontic treatment to correct the bite may reduce the mechanical triggers for grinding. This is not appropriate for every case, but when the bite is clearly part of the picture, addressing it can provide longer-term improvement rather than symptom management alone.
Referral for severe TMJ dysfunction
Not all TMJ problems are orthodontic in nature. When the jaw joint shows signs of significant degeneration, disc displacement, or chronic pain that extends beyond what bite correction can address, Dr Denize refers to appropriate specialists — including oral and maxillofacial surgeons and TMJ physiotherapists. Knowing when orthodontic treatment will help and when it will not is part of specialist-level clinical judgement.
Full examination of tooth wear, jaw joint function, muscle tenderness, and bite relationship to identify contributing factors.
A specialist orthodontist assesses the underlying bite mechanics that may be driving grinding — not just the resulting damage.
Specialist orthodontist with over 15 years of clinical experience at Claremont Orthodontics.
Frequently asked questions about teeth grinding and TMJ.
How do I know if I grind my teeth?
Many people grind their teeth at night without realising it. Common signs include waking with a sore jaw or headache, teeth that appear worn or flattened, chipped or cracked teeth, tooth sensitivity without an obvious cause, and a partner noticing grinding sounds during sleep. Dr Denize can often identify grinding from the wear patterns on your teeth during a clinical examination at the Claremont practice.
What is the connection between grinding and my bite?
A misaligned bite can contribute to grinding in several ways. When the teeth do not come together evenly, the jaw muscles may work harder to find a comfortable resting position, and this can trigger clenching and grinding — particularly during sleep. Correcting the underlying bite problem can reduce the stimulus for grinding in some patients. However, grinding can also be driven by stress and other factors unrelated to the bite, which is why a thorough assessment is important.
What is TMJ dysfunction?
TMJ dysfunction refers to problems with the temporomandibular joints — the joints that connect the lower jaw to the skull, located just in front of each ear. Symptoms can include jaw pain, clicking or popping sounds when opening or closing, limited opening, locking of the jaw, and pain that radiates to the ear or temple. The causes are varied and can include grinding, bite problems, joint degeneration, and muscle tension. Dr Denize assesses the joint function as part of the orthodontic examination.
Will a night guard stop my grinding?
An occlusal splint (night guard) does not stop the grinding habit itself, but it protects the teeth from further wear and can reduce the load on the jaw joints and muscles. A properly made splint is custom-fitted and adjusted to provide an even, balanced bite surface. This differs from over-the-counter guards, which can sometimes make things worse if they alter the bite position. Dr Denize can fabricate a splint at the Claremont practice and adjust it precisely to your bite.
Why should I see an orthodontist for grinding rather than my general dentist?
A general dentist can identify wear from grinding and provide a night guard. However, an orthodontist — particularly a specialist — understands the three-dimensional bite mechanics that may be contributing to the problem. If a crossbite, deep overbite, or other malocclusion is part of the picture, correcting the bite may address the underlying cause rather than just managing the symptoms. Dr Denize assesses the full bite relationship, not just the wear pattern.
Can orthodontic treatment make TMJ symptoms worse?
This is a reasonable concern. In most cases, orthodontic treatment does not worsen TMJ symptoms, and correcting a malocclusion can actually improve jaw joint function over time. However, some patients experience temporary changes in their bite during treatment that can affect the joints. Dr Denize monitors jaw joint function throughout treatment and adjusts the approach if any concerns arise. Patients with existing TMJ symptoms are always made aware of this consideration before treatment begins.
Grinding your teeth or experiencing jaw pain? Let's find out why.
Take our free 3-minute assessment or call our Claremont practice to arrange a consultation with Dr Denize. Bite-related grinding and TMJ concerns are assessed by the specialist.