Bruxism Treatment in Hornchurch.

Bruxism is the medical term for teeth grinding and clenching, often unconscious and most common at night. Left untreated it wears down teeth, cracks fillings, causes jaw and ear pain and triggers headaches. The right combination of treatment makes the symptoms manageable and protects your teeth from further damage.

Book a check-up How it works
Woman lying in bed holding her jaw with morning jaw pain caused by bruxism
★★★★★
"Custom guard plus masseter and the morning jaw pain is gone. Should have done this years ago."
Andrew T.
Treatment room at Hacton Dental Care in Hornchurch

What is bruxism?

Bruxism is the medical term for grinding and clenching your teeth, most commonly during sleep but sometimes unconsciously during the day. It's surprisingly common, often goes unnoticed by the person doing it, and quietly wears tooth structure down over years.

The first signs are usually morning jaw soreness, headaches that ease through the day, tooth sensitivity, or a partner mentioning grinding noises overnight. Left untreated, the wear progresses to chipped edges, cracked fillings and an increased risk of jaw joint problems.

How do I know if I'm grinding my teeth?

Common signs of bruxism include:

  • Have morning jaw soreness or headaches on waking
  • Notice ear-area pressure or clicking
  • Have visibly worn or chipped tooth edges
  • Have tooth sensitivity that's worsened over time
  • Have a partner who's mentioned grinding noises overnight

If any of these sound familiar, a check-up is the right first step. We'll examine the wear pattern, assess your bite, and put a treatment plan together.

Woman with jaw pain and headache from teeth grinding during a dental consultation

How your bruxism treatment works with us.

01

Examination

We assess the wear pattern on your teeth, your jaw muscles and your bite. Your dentist will ask about sleep, stress and any partner reports of overnight grinding.

02

Treatment plan

A written plan combining the right elements for your case: night guard, masseter treatment, bite adjustment, and any tooth repairs needed.

03

Night guard

3D scan of your bite, custom guard manufactured in our lab, fitted at a follow-up appointment with a short adjustment if needed.

04

Masseter treatment

Around 10 minutes of injections at a separate aesthetics consultation appointment. Effect develops over 2 to 3 weeks.

05

Tooth repair

Composite bonding, veneers or crowns to rebuild damaged teeth, delivered alongside the protective treatment.

06

Review

A 6 to 12 week review to confirm the treatment is working and adjust the plan if not.

How much does bruxism treatment cost in Hornchurch?

Treatment is quoted as a combined plan covering the night guard, masseter treatment and any tooth repairs needed.

We offer 0% finance over 12, 24 and 36 months and members of the Hacton membership plan receive 10% off treatment.

See full fees and finance

Custom night guard

From £150
3D scanned and lab-made for a precise fit, per arch

Masseter treatment (both sides)

£350
Anti-wrinkle into the masseter to reduce grinding force

Tooth repair (per tooth)

From £250
Composite bonding from £250, veneers from £850, crowns from £850

The Hacton Dental Care difference.

A combined treatment plan, not a one-size answer

Bruxism rarely responds well to a single treatment alone. The most effective approach combines a custom night guard (to protect the teeth) with masseter treatment (to reduce the grinding force) and where appropriate, repair of any damage already done. We plan the right combination for your case.

Custom night guards, not over-the-counter

A properly fitted custom night guard is significantly more comfortable, more effective and longer-lasting than the boil-and-bite alternatives from a chemist. Yours is made from a 3D digital scan of your bite.

Masseter treatment by a dentist

Anti-wrinkle into the masseter muscle reduces the force of clenching. Dentists are uniquely qualified to deliver this safely and to combine it with the dental side of the treatment plan.

Bite assessment included

Where the bite itself is contributing (uneven contact points driving subconscious grinding), we can adjust those contact points to reduce the trigger. Done properly, this can be transformative.

Tooth repair as needed

Bruxism damages teeth (chipped edges, worn-down chewing surfaces, cracked fillings). We repair the damage with composite bonding, porcelain veneers or crowns depending on severity, all delivered alongside the protective treatment.

Honest about lifestyle factors

Stress, caffeine, alcohol and disrupted sleep all worsen bruxism. We'll talk through the lifestyle side honestly because the dental treatment alone isn't always the full answer.

Worried about grinding?

Most bruxism patients underestimate how much damage they've already done, but the wear is manageable and the tooth structure can almost always be restored with bonding, veneers or crowns. Book a check-up and we'll examine the wear pattern, assess the trigger, and put together a combined plan to protect what's there and repair what's been damaged - the earlier we catch it, the more conservative the repair.

Book a check-up

Bruxism questions, answered.

What is bruxism?

Bruxism is the medical term for grinding or clenching your teeth, most commonly while you sleep, often unconscious and frequently noticed first by a partner or by jaw and head pain on waking.

Is a night guard enough on its own?

A night guard protects the teeth from further wear but doesn't reduce the grinding itself - for many patients combining a night guard with masseter treatment delivers significantly better symptom relief.

How long does a custom night guard last?

A well-cared-for custom night guard typically lasts 3 to 5 years before needing replacement, depending on grinding intensity.

Will my insurance cover bruxism treatment?

Hacton Dental Care is a fully private practice and treatment is privately funded - some private health insurance plans cover dental occlusal appliances; check your individual policy.

Can children have bruxism?

Yes, many children grind their baby teeth and grow out of it as the adult teeth come in - rarely needs treatment beyond monitoring at routine check-ups.

How do I know if I'm grinding my teeth?

Common signs include morning jaw soreness or headaches, ear-area pressure, worn or chipped tooth edges, tooth sensitivity and a partner mentioning grinding noises overnight.

Can stress be the only cause?

Stress is a major contributing factor but rarely the only one - bite issues, caffeine, alcohol and sleep disorders all play a role and the assessment will look at the full picture.

Do you offer bruxism treatment near me?

Hacton Dental Care is in Hornchurch and a ten minute drive from Upminster, Romford, Elm Park and Rainham, with free on-site parking.

Find us.

Visit us

1 Hacton Lane
Hornchurch
Essex, RM12 6PH

Get directions

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Opening times

Monday9.00am – 6.00pm Tuesday9.00am – 5.00pm Wednesday9.00am – 5.00pm Thursday8.00am – 5.00pm Friday9.00am – 5.00pm SaturdayBy appointment SundayClosed

Closed daily 1.00pm – 2.00pm for lunch.

Hacton Dental Care location map
Looking for an NHS dentist? Our sister practice Church View Dental is 1.1 miles away and currently accepting NHS patients.
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