TMJ Dentist Virginia Beach

Clenching and Grinding Teeth (Bruxism)

Bruxism is the dental term for the prolonged, unintentional grinding and clenching of the teeth. This usually occurs during the nighttime when the patient is sleeping. “Bruxers” are often unaware that they have developed this habit. Symptoms include abraded or chipped teeth (in extreme cases, waking up with tooth chips in the mouth); facial pain; oversensitive teeth; tense facial and jaw muscles; headaches; dislocation of the jaw; damage to the tooth enamel, exposing the inside of the tooth; a popping or clicking in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ); tongue indentations; damage to the inside of the cheek.

Clenching or grinding of teeth is the body’s way of telling you that it is not happy with the current position of the teeth and jaw (occlusion). It is the body’s involuntary desire to move the jaw to a more comfortable position. This back and forth movement literally grinds down the teeth as if somebody was filing down the tooth structure.

The damage that is caused to the natural tooth structure is irreversible. If the teeth are damaged too far, restorations will be needed to return the teeth to proper function and aesthetics.

An experienced Neuromuscular dentist can properly examine, test, diagnose and treat a patient who clenches and grinds their teeth returning the patient to a pain-free lifestyle.

Dr. Carol F. Morgan, DDS, can help the clenching and grinding of teeth associated with TMJ disorders whether you live in Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Chesapeake, Hampton, Newport News, York County, Williamsburg, or any other surrounding city in Hampton Roads.