General dentistry
Tooth wear and bruxism
Tooth wear is one of the most common problems in dentistry, and one of the most underdiagnosed. It happens gradually, often over years, and most people do not notice until teeth have become flat, sensitive and shorter. Caught early, it is manageable with simple, less expensive treatment.
- Every check-upwear assessed
- Night guardsto protect your teeth
- Compositebuild-ups without drilling
About tooth wear
Your teeth are getting shorter. Here's what to do about it.
Bruxism: the grinding problem
Many people grind or clench without knowing it. It often happens at night, and the first sign is a sore jaw in the morning or headaches. Bruxism is linked to stress, sleep disorders, bite problems and other factors. We look for the wear patterns it leaves at every check-up, and if we spot them we will tell you honestly what we have found.
A well-made night guard, an occlusal splint, protects your teeth from further damage and eases the overload on your jaw muscles. It is not glamorous, but it works, and it can prevent a great deal of restorative treatment later.
Restoring worn teeth
For mild to moderate wear, composite build-ups can restore lost tooth height and improve appearance without drilling away any healthy tooth. For more extensive wear, crowns, veneers or a combination may be needed. The right treatment depends on how much wear there is, how stable it is, and what you want the result to look like.
Before any rebuilding, we make sure the wear has been stabilised. There is no point building new teeth on an unresolved grinding problem, so we take a planned, phased approach and walk you through the options.
Don't wait until it's a crisis
Tooth wear is progressive. The earlier it is identified and managed, the simpler and less expensive the solution. If you have been told your teeth are a bit worn and left it there, it is worth a proper assessment to understand how things actually stand, and an honest plan for managing it whenever you are ready.
Common questions
How do I know if I'm grinding my teeth at night?
Many people grind or clench without realising, because it happens during sleep. Common signs are a sore jaw in the morning, frequent headaches, or a partner mentioning the noise. We look for wear patterns at every check-up: flattened, shorter or increasingly sensitive teeth are all indicators.
Can a night guard stop the damage?
A night guard cannot stop you grinding, but it protects your teeth from the damage grinding causes and reduces the load on your jaw muscles. It is a simple solution that works, and it can prevent a great deal of restorative treatment later.
My teeth have been getting shorter and more sensitive. Is that wear?
It could well be. Wear happens gradually over years, and many people do not notice until the damage is significant. Teeth becoming flatter, more sensitive or visibly shorter are worth investigating; the earlier we catch it, the simpler the solution.
What are the options for teeth that are already worn?
For mild to moderate wear, composite build-ups restore lost height without drilling away healthy tooth. For more extensive wear, crowns, veneers or a combination may be needed. Before any rebuilding we address the cause, because there is no point building new teeth on an unresolved grinding problem.
Clinically reviewed by Dr Leigh Knowles (GDC 76315), 14 October 2026.
