Slave to the grind

A restful night in bed is something we all crave and would love to have on a regular basis, but unfortunately sleeping like a baby can be rather elusive. Changes in body temperature, the weather, stress levels and hormones can all impact on how much quality shuteye we get. And then there are all those odd noises that jerk us awake, making us panic about things that go bump in the night.

But there could be another reason for feeling like you never get quite enough decent kip, no matter how early you put your head down, or how relaxed you think you are. If you leave slumberland with jaw pain, an unexplained headache or even ringing in your ears, you could be suffering from bruxism - the name given to grinding and clenching of the teeth.

Bruxism can have serious and detrimental effects on your health, particularly in relation to pearly whites, which can become sensitive and worn down. In very bad cases the teeth may even be harmed cosmetically, meaning their appearance takes a battering - along with your confidence.

Migraines may increase in frequency and severity, while general tenderness around the head and jaw can leave you feeling like you've endured several rounds of boxing.

Some people clench their jaws and grind their teeth during the day, when they're wide awake, but bruxism mostly occurs when we're asleep.

It's frequently the case that bruxers are only alerted to having the condition when bleary-eyed partners complain about the noises they've been making.

Surveys show 95 per cent of people have suffered from bruxism at some point in their lives. In some cases it's obvious; partners can hear grinding in the night and point it out to the sufferer, or the condition is easily picked up by dentists, who can spot flattened ends of teeth and worn down enamel associated with the condition.

But sometimes it's more subtle than that. Sufferers might frequently wake up with a migraine or jaw pain and wonder why - this is often caused by undiagnosed bruxism.

Significant damage is much more likely to occur when we're asleep because the biting force can be up to six times greater than the pressure when we're awake. If we frequently subject our gnashers to high pressure like this, it can fracture teeth and crack fillings, as well as cause damage to the temperomandibular joint, which is the "hinge" that connects the lower jaw to the upper jaw, allowing use to chew and talk.

Most people's first port of call when experiencing any or all of these symptoms is their doctor, dentist or pharmacist.

Your dentist may suggest creating a bespoke, custom-made mouth guard to be worn at night, or may teach you to properly position your teeth, tongue and lips so as to reduce the impact of bruxism. Some studies have suggested alcohol can cause the condition to worsen, so cutting back on drink may be a good idea in a bid to beat the problem.

Your GP may be able to help you reduce stress and anxiety, which are known to contribute to bruxism. So if you think you might have bruxism, don't delay taking action. Aside from improving your own health and sense of well-being, you'll also be doing your partner a favour - unless they snore so loudly they can't hear you grinding your teeth anyway!