Bruxism
Do you experience frequent jaw pain, headaches, or neck stiffness? You may have a condition called bruxism.
Bruxism causes you to involuntarily grind and clench your teeth, leading to uncomfortable symptoms. Our Washington, D.C., doctors can help.
At Thornton Dental Associates, P.C., we can diagnose your bruxism and create a custom oral appliance to relieve your pain.
Treatment Is Simpler Than You Think
While there is no cure for bruxism, your symptoms can be effectively managed with early intervention. Explore your noninvasive treatment options:
Custom Oral Appliance
If you struggle with teeth grinding and clenching, our doctors can design a customized mouthguard to relieve your symptoms. Your mouthguard will act as a cushion that alleviates pressure on your teeth and jaw. This treatment option is especially helpful for sleep bruxism.
Physical Therapy
Many of our patients with awake bruxism benefit from working with a physical therapist. You can learn therapeutic exercises to help you recognize that you're grinding and clenching, relax your jaw, and alleviate your symptoms. Our doctors can refer you to a qualified physical therapist in the Washington, DC, area.
Lifestyle Changes
Making certain changes in your daily life can significantly reduce your bruxism symptoms. Limiting your caffeine intake, sticking to a regular nighttime routine, and not chewing on hard objects, such as your fingernails, can all help with teeth grinding and jaw clenching.
Cost of Bruxism Treatment
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Oral appliance treatment is often covered by insurance. Our Washington, DC, practice accepts almost all insurance providers, and our knowledgeable staff will work to help you obtain the best coverage. However, if you are uninsured or if your insurance doesn't cover oral appliance therapy, we accept flexible monthly financing through CareCredit®.
Symptoms of Bruxism
Untreated bruxism may eventually damage your smile. Habitual teeth grinding and clenching can cause chips, cracks, and generalized wear that require care from a dentist.
Grinding and clenching your teeth puts intense pressure on your facial, jaw, and neck muscles. This can result in headaches, earaches, dizziness, and neck pain.
If you have a temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD), it may be caused by bruxism. Bruxism can also lead to TMD. We can identify the cause of your issues and recommend the best solution.
What Causes Bruxism?
A number of factors can cause you to develop bruxism, including:
Stress
Stress and deep concentration may cause you to clench your teeth. This action can become an unconscious response to stress and a form of stress management.
Smoking, Caffeine, and Medications
Nicotine, caffeine, and certain medications can trigger the release of dopamine and serotonin. Increased level of these hormones may cause you to grind and clench your teeth.
"Couldn't be happier." 5-Star Reviews From Our Patients
Kyle Ward-Dahl
2022
Couldn’t be happier - I’ve been coming here for 6 years. Started with all sorts of issues, they’ve been wonderful since day 1, got me back on track. Strong recommend!
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2022
Dr. Thornton and the entire team are AMAZING! I have been a patient of his for over 10 years and he continues to demonstrate excellence in his practice!!
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