Do you have frequent headaches? Do your teeth seem shorter than they used to be? Are you developing cracks in your teeth or pockets along your gum line? You might grind or clench your teeth without ever realizing it!

Grinding your teeth, also known as Bruxism, can cause a wide variety of problems from wearing down or breaking your teeth, to jaw disorders and chronic headaches. The most common reason for grinding/clenching habits is stress, which can affect our health in various ways. Sometimes simply becoming aware of the habit can help you to get it under control. If stress is the issue, try to find healthy ways of managing it: exercise, meditation, listening to relaxing music, or a warm bath may help. Your teeth will be monitored over time at the dental office to make sure the problem is not worsening.

Teeth grinding can cause abrasion to the chewing surfaces of your teeth. This abnormal wear and tear will prematurely age and loosen your teeth, and open them to problems. If we see signs of bruxism or teeth grinding, we can fit you with a custom-made bruxism guard, night guard or occlusal splint to reduce the damage to your teeth from grinding or clenching and relieve your TMJ pain. If you think that you might have a teeth-grinding problem, schedule your appointment today and we will give you a thorough exam.