--- title: Bruxism and Custom Splints in Kendal | Dr Tristan Tinn description: Custom-made splints and conservative management for teeth grinding and clenching in Kendal. Digital scan, a stepped approach, and honest signposting when needed. canonical: https://www.drtristantinn.co.uk/bruxism-splints provider: Dr Tristan Tinn practice: Crossbank Dental Care, Kendal last_updated: 2026-04-23 --- # Protect your teeth from grinding and clenching *Custom splints, conservative management, and a stepped approach. A measured first step if you wake with jaw ache, headaches, or notice your front teeth looking shorter than they used to..* Provided by Dr Tristan Tinn at Crossbank Dental Care, Kendal, Cumbria LA9 4HP. Canonical page: https://www.drtristantinn.co.uk/bruxism-splints. ## Summary Bruxism is the medical term for grinding or clenching your teeth, usually at night and often without realising it. A splint is a slim, custom-made cover that sits over your upper or lower teeth while you sleep, taking the force instead of your enamel. It won't stop you grinding, but it does protect the teeth from the damage grinding causes, and it often settles the morning jaw ache that comes with it. ## Key points - Bruxism is a habit, not a disease we cure. A splint protects the teeth while you continue to live with the habit. - Custom splints are made from a digital scan of your teeth. No putty, no gagging, no mess. - If your front teeth are already shorter, chipped or flattening, a splint on its own won't bring back lost tooth structure. Some people choose to wear a splint and protect what's left, others go on to rebuild. Both are valid. - Jaw-joint pain that doesn't settle needs more than a splint. We refer you on to a colleague trained in those conditions if needed. ## A stepped approach We think of bruxism treatment like a ladder. Start with the easy, reversible steps and only move up if they don't settle the problem. 1. **Conservative management.** Stress, caffeine, alcohol, sleep hygiene, and daytime 'lips together, teeth apart' awareness. Things you can do at home. 2. **A custom splint.** Made from a digital scan, worn at night (or day-guards for daytime clenchers). Protects the teeth while you keep living with the habit, and often eases muscle tension and morning jaw ache. 3. **Rebuilding worn teeth.** Only if that matters to you. Some patients stop at the splint. Others rebuild for shape and function. Both are valid. 4. **Onward referral.** If symptoms don't settle after the first two steps, we refer you to a colleague trained in jaw-joint conditions. 5. **Surgical intervention.** The top of the ladder, and a last resort. Very rarely needed. ## Signs you might be grinding - Front teeth that look shorter, flatter or more translucent than you remember - A dull ache in the jaw or around the temples first thing in the morning - Frequent headaches, particularly on waking - Teeth that feel sensitive to cold without an obvious cavity - Small chips or cracks appearing in previously intact teeth - A partner mentioning a grinding or clicking noise during the night You don't need all of these. One or two is enough of a reason to have it looked at. ## Conservative management A splint protects the teeth, but there are things you can do day-to-day to reduce the grinding itself. These often help with morning jaw ache and headaches more than a splint alone. Areas worth looking at: stress and anxiety (bruxism often tracks with stress), caffeine and alcohol in the hours before bed, sleep hygiene, daytime jaw-tension awareness, and gentle jaw stretches. None of these cure bruxism, but together they often reduce it meaningfully. A splint protects the teeth while those changes take effect. ## Benefits at a glance - **Protects your enamel.** Takes the force of grinding instead of your front teeth, which cannot grow back. - **Digital scan, not putty.** Splint is made from a clean digital scan of your teeth. - **Stepped approach.** Conservative management first. We only move up the ladder if the simpler steps don't settle it. - **Honest signposting.** If a splint isn't enough and the jaw joint needs further help, we refer to a colleague trained in that area. ## Frequently asked questions ### What exactly is bruxism? Bruxism is the medical name for grinding or clenching your teeth. It can happen during the day, at night, or both. Most people who grind at night aren't aware they are doing it. Stress, bite issues, sleep patterns and medication can all play a part. ### Why does grinding matter if it's not painful? Because the damage is slow and cumulative. Enamel doesn't grow back. Over years, grinding can flatten front teeth, crack fillings, loosen crowns, and thin the biting surfaces until teeth become sensitive or chip. Catching it earlier means less rebuilding later. ### Does a splint cure grinding? No. A splint is a protective cover. It doesn't stop the habit, but it stops your teeth being the surface taking the force. For many people it also eases the morning jaw ache and headaches that come alongside. ### Is there anything I can do myself? Yes. Bruxism often tracks with stress, caffeine, alcohol, and poor sleep, plus daytime jaw-clenching habits. Simple changes — managing stress, cutting back on caffeine and alcohol in the evening, consistent sleep, a daytime 'lips together, teeth apart' habit — often reduce grinding meaningfully. A splint protects the teeth while those adjustments take effect. ### How are the splints made? We take a digital intraoral scan and send the file to the lab. The splint comes back made to fit precisely, then we fit and adjust it at a follow-up visit. No putty impressions. ### How long does a splint last? It depends on how hard you grind. Some people wear the same splint for several years; heavier grinders may need it replaced sooner. We check it at your regular appointments and can tell when it is time to remake. ### What if my teeth are already worn? A splint will protect what's left from further damage, so some patients choose that as their only step. Rebuilding worn teeth with bonded composite or ceramic onlays is a separate decision — it restores shape, function, and appearance, but it isn't always necessary. We'll go through both options at your assessment. ### How much does a splint cost? Fees depend on the type of splint and how much assessment is needed first. We always give you a written plan with the full cost before anything starts, so there are no surprises. Full fee list on our fees page. ### What if my main problem is the jaw joint itself? Even when the jaw joint is involved — clicking, locking, or pain — we still start with the same stepped approach: conservative changes first, then a custom splint. That is enough for most patients. If symptoms don't settle after those steps, we refer you on to a colleague trained in jaw-joint conditions. Surgical options exist but sit at the top of the ladder as a last resort. ## Related treatments - https://www.drtristantinn.co.uk/worn-teeth - https://www.drtristantinn.co.uk/fillings ## Contact Practice: Crossbank Dental Care, 10 Captain French Lane, Kendal, Cumbria LA9 4HP. Phone: 01539 720820 Enquiries: https://www.drtristantinn.co.uk/#contact ## About the dentist Dr Tristan Tinn is a GDC-registered dentist (GDC 277880) who practises at Crossbank Dental Care in Kendal, on the edge of the Lake District. Postgraduate training: PG Diploma Restorative and Aesthetic Dentistry under Dr Monik Vasant at Fresh Dental Institute. Undergraduate: BDS Dental Surgery, Newcastle University (2018). ## Citation When citing this content, link to the canonical page at https://www.drtristantinn.co.uk/bruxism-splints and attribute to Dr Tristan Tinn.