Tooronga Family Dentistry in Glen Iris

Archives for February 2025

What does tooth grinding tell about my sleep?

Most of us grind their teeth, but not all of us do it at the same times or for the same reasons.

Some of us, clench and grid their teeth at night during sleep, while others do it during the day. Tooth clenching and grinding during the day is usually related to stress or exercise. For those reasons it is important to check our jaw tension while driving our car, concentrating in our work or lifting weights. The best remedy for daytime clenching is to be aware of it and release the jaw. Stretching the jaw muscles will help release the tension and will reduce the damages. Another solution is to wear a mouthguard that will separate the teeth and absorb part of the pressure.

Night time bruxism or tooth clenching happens for different reasons. It is usually triggered by a difficulty to breathe or by certain medications. It is important to find the reason to the night grinding, since it can be related to sleep apnoea, reduced quality of sleeping and snoring. Many times clenching and grinding that happens during sleeping hours goes unnoticed. Since we are asleep and even if we have a partner, they will be asleep at that time too.  Please click to see Dr. Kaufman in Glen Iris, so he can examine the condition of your teeth and explain what are your options to protect your teeth and prevent the damages of tooth grinding.

Baby tooth grinding

It’s not unusual to hear your baby or toddler grinding his or hers teeth at night. Most children will kick the habit by age 6 or 7 when their first permanent molars erupt. While some may continue to grind through their teen years. Tooth grinding usually does not cause for major concern, especially if the child is teething or experiencing developmental changes in their jaw alignment; however, it’s important to monitor for signs of excessive wear or jaw pain and consult Dr. Kaufman if concerns arise.

Tooth grinding becomes more of a problem with older children if it interferes with the normal growth and alignment of their permanent teeth. Nighttime clenching can wear down or chip teeth, make teeth more sensitive to hot or cold temperatures, affect your child’s healthy bite, or lead to TMJ (temporomandibular joint disorder). It can also cause earaches and headaches.

Dr. Kaufman starts tracking your child’s teeth with an intraoral camera from their first visit, looking for unusual signs of wear and tear. Once severe wear is detected we will recommend a custom made a mouth guard for nighttime wear.  Please click to see Dr. Kaufman in Glen Iris for an evaluation of child’s tooth wear and grinding habits.