Teeth Grinding and Jaw Tension Treatment in London
Teeth grinding treatment in London relaxes the overworked masseter muscle, reducing the force of clenching that causes jaw pain, tension headaches and damage to the teeth.
Overview
Understanding teeth grinding
Bruxism is the medical term for grinding or clenching the teeth, and most people who do it are unaware, because it happens during sleep. The first sign is usually something else: waking with a sore jaw, a dull headache across the temples, or a dentist pointing out worn enamel.
The masseter is the main jaw-closing muscle. Sustained clenching overdevelops it, and that overdevelopment leads to several issues at once, including dental problems, jaw pain, headaches and a more prominent masseter that squares off the lower face.
Reducing the force of the clench addresses all of these together. It does not stop the habit itself, so your dentist may still recommend a guard, but it takes the power out of it.
Why it happens
What causes teeth grinding?
- Stress and anxiety, the most common trigger for both daytime and nocturnal clenching
- Sleep disturbance, including obstructive sleep apnoea
- Malocclusion, where the teeth do not meet evenly
- Caffeine, alcohol and certain medications including some antidepressants
- Habitual daytime clenching, often during concentration
Treatment approach
How does Dr Harriet treat teeth grinding?
Jawline Slimming
£300The primary treatment. Relaxing the masseter reduces the force of jaw clenching and grinding, which eases jaw pain, tension headaches and pressure on the teeth. Effect lasts around six months, and regular treatment over the first two years also slims the masseter for longer-lasting results.
See treatment detail →Chronic Migraine Treatment
By consultationWhere headaches are frequent and meet the definition of chronic migraine rather than being purely tension headaches from clenching, a different assessment and injection pattern applies. Dr Harriet practises as a GP and will distinguish between the two at consultation.
See treatment detail →The Skin Consultation
£50 deposit, redeemableThe assessment establishes whether your symptoms are driven by clenching, and covers your dental history and any guard you currently use so treatment can be coordinated with your dentist rather than duplicating it.
See treatment detail →FAQ
Common
questions
How do I know if I grind my teeth?
Most people find out from a dentist noticing worn enamel, or from a partner hearing it at night. The common symptoms are waking with a sore or tight jaw, dull headaches across the temples in the morning, and a lower face that has gradually become squarer.
Will treatment stop me grinding?
It reduces the force rather than stopping the habit. The muscle is relaxed so the clench has less power behind it, which is what relieves the pain, the headaches and the pressure on your teeth. Your dentist may still recommend a guard for overnight protection.
How soon will my jaw pain improve?
The muscle starts relaxing within the first week and most patients notice less jaw pain and fewer morning headaches from around two weeks, when the full effect settles. Where symptoms have been long-standing, improvement often continues to build across the first month.
Will my face change shape?
The lower face usually softens, which most patients welcome. An overdeveloped masseter contributes to a squarer jawline, and as the muscle is used less it gradually reduces in bulk. Visible slimming appears from around six to eight weeks and builds with regular treatment.
Related Concerns
Get Started
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Dr Harriet Clinics • 1 Orchard Street, UNTIL Marylebone, London W1H 6HJ
BookAppointments typically available within 1–2 weeks