Teeth grinding, also known as bruxism, can be managed through custom dental splints, changes to daily habits, stress management and treatment for related jaw or sleep problems. However, there is no single treatment that stops teeth grinding for everyone.
The right approach depends on whether you grind your teeth during sleep or clench them while awake, what may be contributing to the behaviour and whether your teeth or jaw have already been affected.
What is the best treatment for teeth grinding? For people experiencing tooth wear or damage from grinding at night, a dentist may recommend a custom-made occlusal splint to protect their teeth. Daytime clenching may respond to greater awareness and behavioural strategies, while jaw pain or an associated sleep disorder may require additional care. A splint can protect teeth, but it does not necessarily stop grinding.
This guide explains the main teeth grinding treatments available in Australia, how they work, their limitations and what to consider before starting treatment.
What Is Teeth Grinding (Bruxism)?
Bruxism refers to repetitive jaw muscle activity involving grinding, clenching or bracing the jaw.
It can happen during sleep or while you’re awake.
Sleep bruxism occurs when you grind or clench your teeth while sleeping. You may not realise it is happening until someone hears the grinding or a dentist notices signs of tooth wear.
Awake bruxism involves clenching, grinding or holding the jaw muscles tense during waking hours. It may happen when concentrating, feeling stressed or performing certain tasks.
According to Healthdirect Australia, not everyone who grinds their teeth requires treatment.
However, ongoing bruxism can contribute to tooth damage, jaw discomfort and other problems that deserve professional attention.
What Are the Signs You May Need Treatment?
Some people grind their teeth without experiencing noticeable symptoms. Others develop problems gradually.
Common signs include:
- Jaw soreness or stiffness, particularly in the morning
- Headaches around the temples
- Worn, flattened, chipped or cracked teeth
- Increased tooth sensitivity
- Broken fillings or damaged dental restorations
- Pain or fatigue in the jaw muscles
- Discomfort when chewing
- A partner noticing grinding sounds during sleep
These symptoms are not exclusive to bruxism.
For example, tooth sensitivity can also result from decay, gum recession or cracks unrelated to grinding.
A dentist can assess whether bruxism is contributing to your symptoms and whether treatment is necessary.
Teeth Grinding Treatment Options in Australia
Several treatments can help manage bruxism, protect teeth or relieve associated discomfort.
The important distinction is that some treatments aim to reduce grinding activity, while others mainly manage its consequences.
| Treatment | Main purpose | Important limitation |
|---|---|---|
| Custom dental splint | Protect teeth from grinding-related damage | Does not reliably stop grinding |
| Habit awareness and behavioural strategies | Help reduce awake clenching | May not control involuntary sleep grinding |
| Stress management and sleep habits | Address possible contributing factors | Benefits vary between individuals |
| Jaw physiotherapy | Manage muscle pain and jaw movement difficulties | Does not necessarily eliminate bruxism |
| Treatment of related medical conditions | Address contributing problems, such as sleep apnoea | Depends on the underlying diagnosis |
| Dental restorations | Repair worn, chipped or cracked teeth | Repairing damage does not stop grinding |
| Botulinum toxin injections | May reduce jaw muscle activity or pain in selected cases | Evidence remains limited and effects are temporary |
1. Custom-Made Dental Splints and Night Guards
A custom occlusal splint is one of the commonly recommended approaches for protecting teeth affected by sleep bruxism.
It is a removable appliance made to fit over the upper or lower teeth, usually worn while sleeping.
The splint creates a protective surface between the teeth, helping reduce direct wear and damage caused by grinding or clenching.
The Australian Dental Association explains that occlusal splints may also reduce some discomfort involving the jaw muscles and joints.
However, a splint does not necessarily prevent grinding from occurring.
Custom Splints vs Over-the-Counter Night Guards
You may have seen inexpensive night guards sold online or at pharmacies.
Although these products may appear similar to professionally made splints, they are not necessarily interchangeable.
A custom appliance is designed after a dentist assesses your teeth, bite and specific needs.
Over-the-counter guards may fit less precisely and may not be appropriate for some dental or jaw conditions.
An unsuitable appliance can be uncomfortable or create additional problems.
If you regularly grind your teeth, particularly if you already have dental damage or jaw pain, discuss the most appropriate appliance with a dentist.
Also, a grinding splint is different from a sports mouthguard or a mandibular advancement appliance used to treat certain cases of sleep apnoea.
2. Behavioural Strategies for Daytime Clenching
If you frequently clench your teeth while awake, becoming more aware of the behaviour may be an important part of treatment.
Daytime clenching can occur during activities such as concentrating at a computer, driving or dealing with stressful situations.
You might not notice that your jaw muscles have been tense for an extended period.
One practical approach is to periodically check whether your teeth are touching when you are not eating or swallowing.
At rest, your jaw should generally be relaxed, with your teeth slightly apart.
If you notice that you’re clenching, gently relax your jaw without forcing it into an uncomfortable position.
A dentist or other appropriately trained health professional may also recommend behavioural techniques to help identify and reduce repeated clenching.
These strategies can be useful for awake bruxism, but they cannot reliably control grinding that happens involuntarily during sleep.
3. Stress Management and Relaxation Techniques
Stress and anxiety are commonly associated with teeth grinding and clenching.
However, they are not the only contributing factors, and not everyone with bruxism experiences significant stress.
The Sleep Health Foundation identifies relaxation techniques, counselling and improved sleep habits among the approaches that may help manage the condition.
Depending on your circumstances, useful strategies may include regular physical activity, relaxation exercises, mindfulness or psychological support.
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) may also help people manage stress or habits that contribute to awake clenching.
These approaches are generally most useful when the relevant behavioural or psychological factors have been identified.
They should not be presented as guaranteed treatments for sleep bruxism.
4. Jaw Physiotherapy and Pain Management
Some people who grind their teeth develop muscle tenderness, jaw fatigue or discomfort around the temporomandibular joints (TMJs).
In these situations, physiotherapy may be helpful.
A physiotherapist experienced in jaw conditions may recommend exercises, muscle relaxation techniques and strategies to improve comfortable jaw movement.
Simple measures such as temporarily choosing softer foods, avoiding excessive gum chewing and using suitable heat or cold therapy may also help manage discomfort.
However, jaw pain does not always mean that teeth grinding is the cause.
Temporomandibular disorders can involve several contributing factors and require their own assessment.
Physiotherapy may improve pain and function without necessarily eliminating the underlying grinding activity.
5. Assessing Sleep Apnoea and Other Related Conditions
Sleep bruxism is associated with certain sleep disorders, including obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA).
However, grinding your teeth does not automatically mean you have sleep apnoea.
Possible warning signs of OSA include loud snoring, witnessed pauses in breathing, gasping during sleep and excessive daytime sleepiness.
If you have these symptoms alongside suspected sleep bruxism, your dentist may recommend discussing them with your GP.
A sleep assessment may be appropriate to determine whether another condition requires treatment.
Treating sleep apnoea may help reduce grinding in some individuals, but it is not a guaranteed cure for bruxism.
For a closer look at sleep-related treatment options, read our guide to the best treatments for sleep apnoea.
6. Dental Treatment for Worn or Damaged Teeth
Teeth grinding can gradually wear down enamel or contribute to damaged fillings, chips and cracks.
If damage has already occurred, a dentist may recommend restorative treatment.
Depending on the condition of the tooth, this could include dental bonding, a filling, a crown or another appropriate restoration.
The priority is to protect the remaining natural tooth structure and restore function when necessary.
However, repairing damaged teeth does not remove the underlying grinding behaviour.
A dentist may recommend a protective splint or other management alongside restorative treatment.
This is particularly important when repeated grinding could damage new restorations.
7. Botulinum Toxin (Botox) for Teeth Grinding
Botulinum toxin injections are sometimes discussed as a treatment for people experiencing significant jaw muscle activity or pain associated with bruxism.
The injections temporarily reduce activity in selected muscles, such as the masseter muscles used during chewing.
However, Botox is not a guaranteed cure for teeth grinding and should not automatically be considered a first-line treatment.
A 2025 overview of systematic reviews published in *Toxins* found that botulinum toxin may reduce pain, muscle activity and bite force in some patients.
The researchers also identified important weaknesses in the available evidence, limiting confidence in its effectiveness and long-term safety for bruxism.
Potential concerns include temporary chewing weakness, unwanted changes in muscle function and the need for repeat injections.
Anyone considering this approach should discuss the evidence, risks, alternatives and regulatory status of the proposed treatment with an appropriately qualified Australian healthcare practitioner.
8. Medications for Teeth Grinding
Medication is not routinely required for most people with bruxism.
Certain medicines may occasionally be considered by a healthcare professional when other contributing conditions or symptoms need management.
However, there is no medication that reliably stops sleep bruxism in everyone.
Some prescribed medicines, including certain antidepressants, may also be associated with teeth grinding in some individuals.
If you suspect your medication is contributing to the problem, discuss this with your prescribing doctor.
Do not stop or change prescribed medication without medical advice.
Can You Stop Teeth Grinding Naturally at Home?
Some habits may help reduce contributing factors or make associated discomfort easier to manage.
You can start by paying attention to daytime clenching, maintaining a consistent sleep routine and finding practical ways to manage stress.
It may also help to reduce excessive caffeine and alcohol consumption, avoid smoking and stop chewing non-food objects such as pens.
If your jaw is sore, temporarily avoiding hard or chewy foods may reduce discomfort.
These approaches are useful parts of self-care, but they do not replace dental assessment when grinding is causing tooth damage or persistent pain.
The goal is to reduce avoidable strain while identifying whether professional treatment is necessary.
Does Fixing Your Bite or Straightening Your Teeth Stop Bruxism?
Not necessarily.
Some people assume that crooked teeth or an uneven bite are the main reasons for grinding.
Although bite relationships may be relevant to certain dental problems, bruxism is not reliably explained by tooth alignment alone.
Orthodontic treatment should not be recommended simply as a routine cure for teeth grinding.
Likewise, permanently reshaping healthy teeth to change the bite should not be presented as a standard bruxism treatment without a separate clinical indication.
If you have misaligned teeth, orthodontic treatment may be appropriate for those alignment problems, but any claim that it will stop grinding needs careful assessment.
How Does a Dentist Diagnose Teeth Grinding?
A dentist usually begins by examining your teeth and asking about your symptoms.
They may check for tooth wear, cracks, damaged fillings, muscle tenderness and problems with jaw movement.
You may also be asked about morning headaches, sleep habits, stress, medication use and whether someone has heard you grinding your teeth at night.
An important limitation is that tooth wear alone does not prove that you are currently grinding. Some damage may have developed years earlier.
A dentist considers the overall pattern of findings and symptoms.
In selected circumstances, a sleep study may be recommended, particularly when another sleep disorder is suspected.
Most people do not need a sleep study simply to discuss possible bruxism with their dentist.
Which Teeth Grinding Treatment Might Be Appropriate for You?
Rather than selecting a treatment based on its popularity, the first step is to identify the main problem you are trying to address.
Someone with worn teeth but little pain may have different treatment needs from someone who clenches during work or frequently wakes with jaw discomfort.
For example:
If your main concern is tooth wear, protecting the teeth with a professionally made splint may be a priority.
If you frequently clench while awake, behavioural awareness and management of contributing factors may be particularly relevant.
If you have persistent jaw pain, assessment of the jaw muscles and joints may be needed.
If you snore heavily or experience daytime sleepiness, an assessment for sleep apnoea may be appropriate.
Often, management involves more than one approach.
The best treatment plan is one that addresses your actual symptoms and risks rather than assuming that every case of bruxism needs the same appliance or procedure.
How Much Does Teeth Grinding Treatment Cost in Australia?
The cost depends on what treatment is recommended and whether additional dental care is needed.
For a custom dental splint, factors affecting the price may include the appliance design, dental examination, scans or impressions, fitting appointments and follow-up adjustments.
Treatment involving physiotherapy, restorative dentistry or other healthcare professionals will have different costs.
Some Australian private health insurance extras policies may provide benefits for eligible dental splints or other treatments, depending on the policy and applicable item numbers.
Before proceeding, ask for an itemised quote and check what is included.
It is also worth confirming whether follow-up adjustments, repairs or replacement appliances would involve additional fees.
When Should You See a Dentist About Teeth Grinding?
Arrange a dental appointment if you notice repeated jaw pain, morning headaches, increasing sensitivity or signs that your teeth are becoming worn or damaged.
You should also seek assessment if grinding is affecting your sleep or if someone regularly hears you grinding your teeth at night.
If a tooth becomes loose, cracked or particularly painful when biting, do not assume grinding is the only possible explanation.
Our guide on how to relieve tooth nerve pain discusses other possible causes of dental pain and when treatment is needed.
Seek prompt dental care for a broken or loose adult tooth, significant pain or sudden changes affecting your bite.
Severe facial swelling, difficulty breathing or difficulty swallowing requires emergency medical assessment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Teeth Grinding Be Cured Permanently?
There is no single permanent cure for all forms of bruxism.
Some people experience improvement after addressing contributing factors, while others require ongoing management to protect their teeth and reduce discomfort.
The appropriate approach depends on whether grinding occurs during sleep or while awake and whether it is causing damage.
What Is the Best Night Guard for Teeth Grinding?
A custom-made occlusal splint may be recommended when ongoing grinding is causing tooth wear, pain or other problems.
However, not everyone requires the same appliance.
A dentist can assess the type of splint that would be appropriate for your teeth, bite and symptoms.
Does a Mouthguard Actually Stop Teeth Grinding?
Not necessarily.
A custom dental splint primarily helps protect teeth from the effects of grinding and may reduce some jaw-related symptoms.
You may continue grinding while wearing it.
Can Stress Cause Teeth Grinding?
Stress and anxiety can contribute to bruxism, particularly daytime clenching.
However, not everyone who grinds their teeth is stressed, and sleep bruxism can involve several other factors.
Managing stress may help some people but is not a guaranteed cure.
Is Botox Better Than a Dental Splint?
The two approaches have different purposes.
A dental splint primarily protects teeth from mechanical damage. Botulinum toxin may temporarily reduce muscle activity or pain in selected cases, but evidence concerning its long-term benefits and safety for bruxism remains limited.
Treatment decisions require an individual clinical assessment.
Can Children Grow Out of Teeth Grinding?
Yes. Teeth grinding is relatively common in children, and many grow out of it without significant problems.
However, if your child experiences tooth damage, pain, disturbed sleep or other concerning symptoms, arrange a dental assessment.
Will Teeth Grinding Stop if I Straighten My Teeth?
Not necessarily.
There is no reliable basis for assuming that braces or clear aligners will cure bruxism simply by changing tooth alignment.
Orthodontic treatment should be considered for appropriate dental or bite problems, not automatically prescribed as a grinding treatment.
Managing Teeth Grinding and Protecting Your Oral Health
Teeth grinding can range from a mild habit that causes little harm to a condition associated with damaged teeth, persistent jaw discomfort and disrupted sleep.
There is no universal treatment that works for every person.
Custom dental splints can help protect teeth, behavioural strategies may reduce daytime clenching, and additional treatment may be appropriate when jaw pain or another health condition is involved.
If you’re concerned about grinding or clenching, a dental examination can help establish whether treatment is necessary and which options deserve consideration.
Sources and Further Reading
- Australian Dental Association: Teeth Grinding
- Healthdirect Australia: Teeth Grinding (Bruxism)
- Sleep Health Foundation: Teeth Grinding and Bruxism
- Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust: Clenching and Grinding Your Teeth
- Coelho et al., 2025: Botulinum Toxin for Bruxism, An Overview
This article provides general educational information and does not replace personalised advice from a registered dentist or medical practitioner. Treatment suitability depends on individual clinical circumstances.
