Teeth Grinding & Clenching in Bethlehem, PA

Protecting your teeth from a habit you may not notice.

Always About Smiles treats teeth grinding and clenching at our Bethlehem, PA dental office as part of my Occlusion Therapy. I protect the teeth with a laboratory-made hard acrylic guard and look at whether the bite itself is feeding the habit. Call (610) 868-9928 to be examined.

The pressure behind the habit

Imagine clenching your fists and putting your knuckles flat against each other and pressing as hard as you can for as long as you can. After a while something in your body would break down — your knuckles would bruise, your wrists would ache, and your shoulders and back would go into spasm. This is what is happening in your face and head during prolonged clenching and grinding.

The muscles that tire first

The excessive pressure from grinding or clenching your teeth causes over stimulation and eventual fatigue of the facial muscles which often results in painful spasms. It shows on the teeth as well — flattened edges, chipped enamel, fillings that keep failing, and teeth that ache to bite on. I can often see it at a check-up before anyone has mentioned it.

A simple way to notice it yourself

Other things to remember — your teeth should only touch when you chew or swallow — at all other times they should not touch! That is my own instruction, and most people who try it find their teeth were resting together all day. Daytime clenching is a habit you can learn to catch. Nighttime clenching is not, which is what the guard is for.

How would I know if I grind my teeth?

Often from what it leaves behind rather than from the grinding itself. A jaw that is tight in the morning, teeth that ache or feel loose, headache around the temples, teeth wearing flat or chipping, fillings that keep breaking, and a partner who has heard it. I look for the wear pattern at every check-up.

Does grinding damage my teeth?

It puts more pressure through them than they were built for, and over time that shows as flattened edges, chipped enamel, cracks, sensitivity and restorations that fail early. Your teeth and gums undergo tremendous biting pressures. That is why I treat the grinding alongside repairing the damage rather than only repairing it. People travel in from Allentown once the wear starts to show.

How much does treatment for teeth grinding and clenching cost in Bethlehem, PA?

The examination is quoted on its own, and then the treatment it points to — most often a laboratory-made hard acrylic guard, sometimes a bite adjustment as well. Each is a separate quoted figure you have before anything is made. Financing is available, and paying by cash in advance carries a 5% discount.

Why look at the bite as well as the habit?

Because the two feed each other. Some patients require correction of their bite in order to treat problems such as grinding, wear on the teeth, or strain on the jaw or temporomandibular joint. A balanced or adjusted bite will help to ensure the long term durability and stability of both restorative as well as cosmetic treatment. I check bite stability before any lasting work.

Can I stop grinding altogether?

Daytime clenching, often, once you know to notice it — my own rule that the teeth should only touch to chew or swallow is a useful one to carry around. Nighttime grinding is not under your control while you're asleep, so the aim there is protecting the teeth and easing the muscles rather than stopping it by will.

Does grinding affect the work I've already had done?

It does, and it is worth saying clearly. Damage caused by grinding and clenching is excluded from the Peace of Mind Limited Dental Warranty, which is one reason I recommend a guard for patients who have had crowns, onlays, veneers or bonding. Protecting the porcelain you have already paid for is the cheapest part of the whole business.

Teeth Grinding and Clenching Treatment

  • We assess both daytime and nighttime grinding and clenching
  • We check your wear pattern at every check-up
  • Addressing what is causing it rather than only the symptom
  • A guard is a sensible companion to any porcelain work

Missing, Worn & Cracked Teeth

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Is grinding my teeth something to worry about?

    It is worth having looked at rather than worrying about. Most of what grinding does is slow and preventable, and a guard takes the load off. What I want to catch is the point where enamel or a restoration starts to give way, which is why I check the wear at your cleaning visits.

  • Can children grind their teeth?

    Yes, and it is common in children and usually outgrown. I check for it at children's visits and will tell you if it is doing anything that needs attention. A guard is rarely the answer for a child whose teeth are still changing, and I will say so.

  • My jaw is tight when I wake up. Is that connected?

    Very often, yes, and it is one of the most useful things to mention. A jaw that is tight or tender first thing usually means the muscles were working overnight. Say it at your next visit and I'll look at the joint, the muscles and the wear together.

  • Does a guard stop me from grinding, or just protect the teeth?

    Mainly it protects, and that is the honest answer. The guard takes the wear instead of your enamel and lets the teeth slide rather than grip, which eases the muscles for many people. Whether the habit itself eases depends on what is behind it, which is what the examination is for.

  • Will you tell me to relax more?

    No. One thing our patients really appreciate is that we tend not to lecture them about taking better care of their teeth and gums. I treat what the grinding is doing to your teeth and your jaw, and talk about the rest only if you want to.