Patient information · Assessment and treatment
Bruxism care in Dubai: teeth grinding and jaw clenching
Bruxism is jaw muscle activity that can involve clenching or grinding the teeth, or bracing or thrusting the jaw without tooth contact. It occurs during sleep or wakefulness. The need for care depends on its consequences, such as tooth damage, muscle tenderness and other symptoms.
During the day and during sleep
You may notice clenching your teeth while working, driving or concentrating, without making a grinding sound. Notice when the tension occurs and tell me about those situations at your appointment.
A partner may notice grinding during sleep. Muscle activity can also occur silently. I ask about what your partner has noticed, morning symptoms and changes in your teeth; instrumental recording can add information when needed.
| When | What may be noticed | What to discuss |
|---|---|---|
| Awake | Sustained clenching or tension without grinding. | Situations associated with the habit and daytime observations. |
| Asleep | Sounds reported by a partner; morning symptoms. | Sleep, tooth condition, protection and any need for further assessment. |
What to tell me before the examination
Think back to when the symptoms began and any changes in medication, sleep, habits or daily demands around that time. Tell me about any mouthguard you have used and how you felt while wearing it. These details help establish how your symptoms developed.
What might bring you to an appointment?
Chipping, wear, sensitivity, damaged restorations or aching chewing muscles may prompt an assessment. We need to distinguish recent changes from damage that has accumulated over years.
Tooth wear has several possible causes, including acid exposure. To assess current loading, I consider tooth condition alongside symptoms and muscle activity. Clicking, disc displacement and jaw pain also call for an assessment of the joint and surrounding muscles.
Photographs and models provide a baseline: where tooth shape has been lost, a chip has appeared or a restoration margin has changed. Those areas can be checked at the next visit. If restoration is needed, we also plan protection of the new work and follow-up.
What do we discuss and examine?
At MedPalm Dental in Jumeirah 1, we discuss your diagnostic questionnaire. I then examine the teeth and restorations, feel the chewing muscles and joints for tenderness, and assess mouth opening and jaw movement. I record areas of wear and chips to check at later visits.
If you have significant sleep problems, snore or have pauses in breathing noticed by someone else, you may need to see a sleep specialist. They can assess these symptoms and decide whether a sleep study is needed. Tooth wear alone is not enough to make that decision.
Addressing daytime clenching
Start by noticing when you keep your teeth clenched, such as at a screen, in a meeting or while driving. A reminder can prompt you to check your jaw position and let the muscles rest. Tell me when you notice the tension and when pain develops.
If clenching happens when you feel stressed, we can discuss ways to manage those situations. For persistent pain, I recommend exercises or other measures after examining your joints and muscles. At follow-up, we check whether you feel better and have less tension by the end of the day.
Sleep bruxism and tooth protection
During sleep, you cannot consciously monitor jaw position. Dental care therefore often focuses on protecting teeth and restorations, monitoring damage and addressing associated symptoms. I select an appliance based on the condition of your teeth and what I find during the examination.
Where teeth are already substantially worn, planning has two connected aims: reducing the risk of further damage and restoring lost tissue where needed. Restoration shape, contacts and maintenance are considered together. A sleep clinician may also be involved when sleep symptoms warrant assessment.
How do we monitor progress?
At your review, I check for new chips and changes in muscle tenderness. I ask how your jaw feels in the morning and whether wearing the appliance and chewing are comfortable. I compare your teeth with earlier photographs and check how they meet the appliance.
The findings help me decide whether to adjust the appliance, restore damaged teeth or involve a sleep specialist. If the condition is stable, we agree on further check-ups.