Clenching and Grinding of Teeth

Clenching and grinding

When the jaw becomes misaligned, the teeth do not lay properly along one another, which can cause clenching and grinding. This can cause both the wearing away of the teeth, but also severe pain in the jaw and face. While TMJ can often cause clenching and grinding, clenching and grinding can in turn make TMJ worse, creating a vicious cycle of discomfort and pain. If you find yourself waking up in the morning or the middle of the night with a tense jaw and clenched teeth, you may be experiencing the effects of TMJ.

This condition is known as bruxism, and it is impossible to sometimes control the teeth grinding process as suggested with grinding teeth during sleep. Any type of forceful contact between the teeth can be categorized as bruxism. Our office uses advanced oral splints to control this process and prevent teeth chipping from grinding teeth.

Grinding can wear down teeth enamel and even serves as a cause for temporomandibular joint disorder because it puts pressure on the muscles and tissues around the joint. Splints can relax and slip back the jaw into a healthy position.