Teeth Clenching/Bruxism

Suffering from chronic headaches?

Teeth clenching or grinding is a habit that affects millions of people. It can cause severe damage to your teeth, jaw, and even your overall health. When you clench or grind your teeth, the muscles in your jaw tighten and compress your teeth against each other. This causes pressure to build up in your face and head, which can lead to headaches and pain when consuming hot or cold foods/beverages (like soup). Most people that grind their teeth have no major symptoms, but over the years, they begin to show worn, chipped, and broken teeth.

You could be clenching your teeth because of this

Have you ever found yourself clenching your teeth at night? It’s not just a habit—it could be a symptom of an underlying problem. Tooth clenching and grinding, also known as bruxism, is when you grind your teeth together during sleep. It can cause severe damage to your teeth and jaw, so it’s essential to understand what causes it and what you can do about it.

Common causes of tooth clenching include anything that can disturb your sleep, such as stress and anxiety, stomach problems like acid reflux, and chronic neck or back pain. However, you may have no idea that you’re unconsciously grinding your teeth while asleep.

If you are experiencing tooth pain or think you might be grinding your teeth at night, schedule an appointment with our specialized team today. We will determine the cause of your symptoms and create a treatment plan that works for you.

Setting a new standard of care for the dental industry

Dr. Costa and Dr. Williams have established a state-of-the-art practice where human connection and kindness provide patients with an unforgettable and rewarding treatment experience. After completing dental school at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, SC, both doctors completed advanced training in occlusion, implants, and full mouth reconstruction. This has allowed for greater understanding and skills when treating patients suffering from TMJ disorder and bruxism (clenching and grinding of teeth). Many other dental problems arise when the foundation of a good bite and jaw position are out of balance.

Our patient-centric philosophy

Our real business lies in caring for people. We spare no effort to get to know our patients, creating personalized treatment plans fine-tuned with their needs and goals in mind. We see fewer patients per day, allowing all the time necessary to answer questions, discuss treatment options, and establish a sense of trust and security. Many patients have had negative dental experiences in the past. We reset the standard for treatment, one where each patient is valued as an individual and is an active participant in their care.

Signs you may have bruxism

Bruxism is a common ailment that involves clenching or grinding your teeth. You may experience worn, chipped, or broken teeth or pain in your jaw. Here are the symptoms to watch out for:

Waking up with a sore jaw or face
Discovering loose, chipped, or broken teeth due to clenching and grinding
Experiencing soreness after eating hard foods like nuts or steak

Your dentist will notice signs of long-term wear on your teeth and may be able to prevent more significant issues by treating the problem early.

Relieve pain with successful treatment

Bruxism can have a significant impact on your life. You can end up losing teeth due to fractures. You may feel uncomfortable and frustrated with muscles that are constantly tense and teeth that are always grinding. You may have trouble sleeping because of the pain, which can exhaust your whole body. Not all teeth-grinding situations are the same. Solutions include:

Custom night guards/splints

When properly designed, these custom-made devices, which fit your teeth, guide your jaw to settle into a balanced position and protect your temporomandibular joint, allowing jaw muscles to relax and protecting your teeth from grinding.

Bite correction

Sometimes, teeth need some minor reshaping due to an unbalanced bite. Bite correction can create a more even distribution of biting pressure around your teeth and also allow for proper jaw function.

Lifestyle and behavior modification

It is important to treat the cause of your bruxism when possible. Eliminating triggers for clenching and grinding, like acid reflux, chronic pain, and even treating anxiety and stress, go a long way toward minimizing discomfort, tension, and wear on your teeth.