The alarm goes off in Vélez-Málaga. You open your eyes and, instead of feeling rested, you notice pressure in your temples, a stiff neck or tired facial muscles, as if you had been chewing gum all night. It could be bruxism.
Sound familiar? You’re not alone. Today’s pace of life and stress have sent cases of bruxism soaring: the involuntary habit of clenching or grinding your teeth, usually while you sleep.
The problem is that, because it happens unconsciously, many patients at Acosta Cubero Dental Clinic don’t know they have it until the damage is already visible. Today we explain how to spot this “silent enemy” and, most importantly, how to stop it. 👇
1. What exactly is bruxism? 🦷💥
It is a parafunction (a movement with no useful purpose) in which the chewing muscles contract with excessive force, pressing the upper teeth against the lower ones.
- Sheer force: to give you an idea, when you chew you apply around 20-30 kg of force. When you grind at night, you can exert more than 100 kg of pressure! Your teeth aren’t designed to withstand that constant load night after night.
2. Warning signs: take a look in the mirror 🪞
If you suspect you clench your teeth, look out for these details:
- “Flat” teeth: canines should end in a point and incisors should have well-defined edges. If your teeth look straight across, as if they had been filed down, it’s a clear sign of wear caused by bruxism.
- Cracks and fractures: sometimes the enamel can’t take the pressure and cracks, or small pieces of molars or fillings chip off for no apparent reason.
- Tooth sensitivity: as the enamel wears away, the dentine is exposed and you feel sharp twinges with cold or heat (we explain more in our guide to tooth sensitivity).
- Clicking when you open your mouth: does your jaw click when you yawn or eat? It’s a sign that the joint (TMJ) is under strain.
3. The night guard: your protective shield 🛡️
The most effective and conservative solution is an occlusal splint or night guard (Michigan type). Many patients confuse it with sports mouthguards or clear aligners, but it’s nothing like them.
- How does it work? It’s a rigid resin device, custom-made at our clinic in Vélez-Málaga, which you wear over your upper teeth while you sleep.
- Its mission: it has two vital functions. First, it acts as a physical barrier so that, if you clench, you wear down the plastic and not your teeth. Second, and more importantly, its technical design “tricks” your brain into relaxing the muscles and placing the jaw in a truly restful position.
- The result: you stop wearing down your teeth and wake up without muscle pain or headaches.
4. Extra relief: orofacial harmonisation 💉
As specialists in orofacial harmonisation, in very severe cases of bruxism where the masseter muscle (the one in your cheek) is very enlarged and strong, we can apply specific relaxing treatments to reduce that muscle’s power. This not only relieves tension but also slims the face (which often looks “wide” in people who grind their teeth).
Protect your smile in Vélez-Málaga 📍
Tooth enamel doesn’t grow back. Whatever you wear away is lost for good. Don’t let stress eat away at your smile.
If you wake up in pain or notice your teeth changing shape, come and see us at Acosta Cubero Dental Clinic. Book your appointment and we’ll design a custom night guard so your teeth stay safe and you get the rest you deserve.
Sleeping well and smiling better is possible! 😴✨
