Bruxism and TMJ: your jaw needs
to rest too.
Bruxism and TMJ in Fuengirola and Maqueda
Diagnosis and a custom-made night guard.
Bruxism is clenching or grinding your teeth, either consciously during the day or unconsciously while you sleep. It overloads the temporomandibular joint and can cause jaw pain, headaches and tooth wear. At Dentaláser we diagnose your case and make a custom night guard, fitted by your dentist.
by your dentist
Clenching or grinding
your teeth without realising it.
Bruxism is clenching or grinding the teeth involuntarily. It can happen while you're awake, almost always without you noticing, or during sleep, in which case it is considered a sleep-related movement disorder. Either way, the repeated force on the teeth and jaw can wear down the enamel and overload the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), the hinge that connects your jaw to your skull and that you use to speak, chew and yawn.
How to tell whether
you have bruxism.
Many people with bruxism don't know it until the consequences show up in their teeth or jaw. These are the most common signs described by the NHS and the Mayo Clinic.
Wear, fractures or tooth sensitivity
Teeth flatten, chip or hurt with cold or heat because of the gradual loss of enamel.
Pain or tightness on waking
Your jaw feels tired, stiff or sore as soon as you get up, especially with sleep bruxism.
Jaw clicking or locking
Noises when opening or closing your mouth, or difficulty opening it normally: signs that the TMJ is involved.
Frequent headaches
Headaches, particularly at the temples, from muscle tension built up overnight.
Ear or facial pain
Strain on the chewing muscles can radiate towards the ear and the side of the face.
Unrefreshing sleep
You rest badly even when you sleep enough hours: sleep bruxism disrupts the quality of your sleep.
Sources: NHS · Mayo Clinic.
Before the night guard,
a diagnosis.
We don't make a night guard without examining your case first. Bruxism and TMJ problems have different causes and degrees, and the treatment is adapted to what we find at the appointment.
We assess how far the mouth opens, whether there is clicking or locking, and tenderness on palpation of the muscles and the joint.
We analyse how your teeth meet when you bite and the degree of wear, fracture or sensitivity the bruxism has caused.
If the case calls for it, we complete the assessment with a radiographic image before deciding on the most suitable treatment.
The night guard,
made for your mouth.
The night guard (also called an occlusal splint) is a device worn over the teeth, usually at night. It acts as a barrier between the upper and lower arches: it protects the enamel from direct rubbing and helps spread the force of the bite across the jaw. In cases of awake bruxism, it may also be prescribed for part of the day.
Types of night guard
Soft guard or hard guard?
It depends on your case.
Not every case of bruxism needs the same type of guard. At your appointment we assess how intense your bruxism is and the state of your bite in order to recommend the right one.
| Feature | Soft guard | Hard guard (Michigan type) |
|---|---|---|
| Who it's for | Mild or occasional bruxism | Moderate or severe bruxism, long-term use |
| Material | Silicone or soft resin | Rigid acrylic resin |
| Getting used to it | More comfortable at first | Needs a more precise fit |
| Durability | Wears out sooner with severe bruxism | More hard-wearing; regular fit reviews |
From examination to
your night guard.
Making a custom night guard follows a clinical process; it isn't an off-the-shelf mould. This is how we do it at Dentaláser.
We take a 3D intraoral scan or a physical impression of your mouth, along with a record of how you bite.
With that data, a guard is designed and made to fit your dental arch, in the material best suited to your case.
We check that the guard seats properly and that the contact between the teeth is balanced, adjusting whatever is needed.
You start wearing it, mainly at night, and we check its fit and wear at your following visits.
with no impression paste
Over 30 years at
your service.
founded
reviews on Google
and Maqueda
examination of your jaw
What people ask
us most.
Dentaláser clinical team · Clinical director: Dr Alberto Cerezo · Last updated: 2 September 2026
If you have more questions, call us on 952 46 67 33 or book an appointment. The first visit is completely free and with no obligation whatsoever.
Sources: NHS · Mayo Clinic · Spanish General Council of Dentists · Cochrane Collaboration
Your first visit to Dentaláser
is completely free.
We examine your jaw and your bite, assess whether there is bruxism or a TMJ problem, and tell you exactly what you need. No waiting lists. No obligation. Call us: 952 46 67 33.
Bruxism and TMJ diagnosis in
Fuengirola and Maqueda
Dental clinic in Fuengirola, Avda. Mijas 23. Diagnosis of bruxism and temporomandibular joint disorders, with a night guard made and fitted to measure. We also see patients from Mijas, Benalmádena and Torremolinos. First visit free.
Clinical examination of the jaw, the muscles and the temporomandibular joint. Included in your free first visit in Fuengirola.
Made and fitted by your dentist, never off the shelf. Designed for your bite and the degree of your bruxism.
We check the wear on the guard and how your bruxism is developing at every visit, adapting the treatment if needed.
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Further reading
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