

The 21st – 28th October marks Bruxism Awareness week and at Evolve Dentistry we want to ensure that you all have an in-depth understanding of the condition known as Bruxism along with its causes, effects, and how you could look to overcome it. Bruxism is the clinical term for subconscious teeth grinding and jaw clenching during the day and/or night.
Bruxism is not the type of condition to occur out of the blue. There are some reasons which could be causing you to grind your teeth and you may not even realise it.If you suffer from a sleep disorder, such as sleep apnoea, or even simply snoring, you’re more likely to grind your teeth while sleeping. Other sleep-related issues which promote restlessness or possibly even trouble breathing while asleep could also cause this to happen, such as talking in your sleep, increased movement like kicking, sleep paralysis or even semi-conscious hallucinations.
Anxiety and stress are the most common causes for bruxism, or teeth grinding, with around 70% of cases occurring as a result of this. Stress and anxiety will often impact your quality of sleep, particularly when job-related, therefore bruxism will likely take place while asleep.
There is also evidence to suggest that certain lifestyle aspects could cause you to begin subconscious teeth grinding and jaw clenching. Drinking alcohol, smoking and use of recreational drugs, and excessive drinking of liquids with high caffeine levels could all increase the possibility of teeth grinding. These factors may also lead to the condition worsening.
What to look out for:The impact of bruxism can be problematic for both your oral and physical health. As it’s a condition that is difficult to identify – mainly as many aren’t even aware that they are even grinding their teeth in the first place – it’s important to know what to look out for.
Regarding oral health, bruxism could lead to significant wearing down of teeth, which will inevitably result in the teeth fracturing, or tooth loss. There is also a possibility of developing inflammation in the gums, and eventual gum recession.
What many don’t realise, is that there are multiple physical issues that can occur as a result of teeth grinding. Sufferers may be more prone to headaches, pain and stiffness in the shoulders and earache. There is also the possibility of facial myalgia (pain in the face), as well as limited movement of the mouth, and further disruption to your sleeping pattern,
Risk of TMJ
Temporomandibular joint discomfort or TMJD, is also a common outcome of bruxism. The temporomandibular joint is the connecting joint between the jaw and the skull. Excessive teeth grinding and jaw clenching could lead to a severe amount of tenderness in this joint or even lock-jaw. You may also experience a grating sensation or even a clicking sound when moving your mouth. The joint is covered by cartilage and separated by a shock-absorbing disk, overtime; however, this cartilage could become damaged, and the disc eroded. If pain associated with TMJ becomes persistent, consult with a doctor or dentist as soon as possible to find a suitable solution.
There are some treatments available to tackle the causes and effects of bruxism, from orthodontic work to psychological treatments like hypnosis. MADs, or mandibular advancement devices, are typically used to help combat issues with snoring and sleep apnoea; however, they can also be an effective tool at tackling teeth grinding and clenching while sleeping.
Dr Jonathan Sproson, one of our dentists at Evolve has extensive experience in the diagnosis and treatment of bruxism. He can carry out a detailed assessment of your jaw muscles and position of your teeth to see if there is evidence of bruxism and how best to treat this. Over the years, he has successfully treated hundreds of patients to rid them of their headaches, neck and shoulder pain and to massively improve their quality of life. There are few dentists in this area with as much skill and knowledge as Jonathan Sproson.
For more information on bruxism and its impact on your oral and physical health, take a look at the Bruxism Association web page. If any of the causes and effects mentioned here seem familiar, contact Evolve Dentistry today to see if you suffer from this condition, before it leads to more serious issues such as TMJ. Our team would be happy to help find the ideal solution to overcome the effects of Bruxism.


BRACES


BONDING


Dental Health Plan
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This morning, our Clinical Director, Carol Somerville Roberts, was featured on BBC Radio Bristol discussing something we are incredibly passionate about – the connection between oral health and your overall wellbeing. 🦷✨
Many people don’t realise that your oral health can have an impact on the rest of your body, with links between gum health and conditions such as heart disease, diabetes and dementia.
During the interview, Carol shared practical advice on maintaining good oral hygiene and why looking after your mouth is about so much more than just your smile.
We’re so proud to see Carol helping to raise awareness of the importance of preventive dental care across our local community. 💙
#Northsomerset #multiawardwinning #patientsatisfaction #patientsfirst #healthysmiles #healthysmile #acceptingnewpatients #nailsea #portishead #clevedon #portisheadmarina #dentist #oralhealth #gumhealth #preventivedentistry #bbcradiobristol


✨ Considering cosmetic dental treatment? We’d love to welcome you to Evolve Dentistry ✨
We are currently accepting new patients for cosmetic dental treatments including clear aligners, composite bonding, veneers, smile makeovers and tooth whitening.
And here’s something many people don’t realise… you can visit us for cosmetic treatment even if you already have your own regular dentist.
Whether you’re looking to make a small change or completely transform your smile, our team will take the time to understand your goals and talk you through your options in a relaxed, supportive environment 🤍
If you’ve been thinking about improving your smile, now could be the perfect time to start.
📩 Message the practice or call reception to book a consultation.
#Northsomerset #multiawardwinning #patientsatisfaction #patientsfirst #straighterteetheveryday #straighterteeth #newpatients #naturalteeth #healthysmiles #smilemakeovers #healthysmile #acceptingnewpatients #nailsea #portishead #clevedon #portisheadmarina #dentist #cosmeticdentistry #compositebonding #clearaligners #toothwhitening


It’s officially Smile Month! 🎉
This year is extra special, as Smile Month celebrates its 50th anniversary - five decades of encouraging healthy smiles and better oral health across the UK.
Over the coming weeks, we’ll be sharing simple tips, advice and reminders to help you care for your smile at home and understand how small habits can make a big difference.
This year’s message is simple:
🪥 Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste
🦷 Clean between your teeth daily
🥤 Cut down on sugary food and drinks
Looking after your oral health is about more than teeth - it can have a huge impact on confidence, comfort and overall wellbeing too.
Here’s to healthy smiles for everyone 💙
#SmileMonth #SmileMonth2026 #HealthySmiles #OralHealth #DentalHealth #Portishead #NorthSomerset #PatientsFirst #Healthysmile #Dentist #PortisheadMarina #Clevedon #Nailsea


Still feeling incredibly proud
A few months on, and we’re still celebrating Carol Somerville Roberts in her role as President of the British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry.
It’s something we don’t take lightly - representing the profession at this level, while continuing to care for patients here at the practice, is no small thing.
What makes us most proud is that nothing changes for our patients. The same calm approach. The same honest advice. The same focus on doing what’s right for you.
Just with a little extra recognition behind it.
A big moment for Carol - and a proud one for all of us at Evolve.


🌟 Help us make history! 🌟
Nominations are now open for the very first Together Portishead Business & Community Awards, and we’d absolutely love your support! 🏆
We’re so proud to be part of this amazing community, and being recognised as a finalist would mean so much to our whole team. If you’ve visited our practice or supported us in any way, we’d be incredibly grateful if you could take a moment to nominate us.
Vote here: www.togetherportishead.co.uk
Thank you for all your continued support - it truly means the world to us 💙
#PortisheadAwards #TogetherPortishead #SupportLocal #VoteForUs #PortisheadBusiness #EvolveDentistry #portishead #portisheadmarina #nailsea #clevedon


Dear Portishead 💙
There are places you work, and then there are places you belong.
For all of us at Evolve Dentistry, Portishead is the latter.
We are incredibly grateful to the generations of families who have trusted us with their care, to every patient who has recommended us, and to the wider community that continues to support our practice.
We are proud to live here, work here and care here.
From sponsoring local events to welcoming patients through our doors each day, being part of this community means so much to us.
Thank you, Portishead, for allowing us to be part of your lives.


Healthy, glowing skin starts with the right routine - and the right guidance.
We’re now offering AlumierMD at Evolve, giving you access to professional-grade products tailored to your skin.
Because these products are only available through registered practices, you’ll need to register before purchasing - we’ve included our secure link in our bio so you can get set up and explore the range at your convenience.
Even if you’re not ready to buy just yet, registering means you’ll have access when you are, plus trusted recommendations to help you get the best results from your skincare.
#Northsomerset #patientsfirst #healthyskin #skincare #alumiermd #naturalskin #glowingskin #portishead #clevedon #nailsea



