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.

What Is Bruxism?

Bruxism is a condition that causes you to unconsciously clench and grind your teeth. There are two forms of bruxism:

Sleep Bruxism

This form of bruxism causes you to grind and clench your teeth while you're asleep, resulting in headaches, jaw pain, and other unpleasant symptoms upon waking.

If you aren't aware that you grind your teeth in your sleep, it can be hard to tell whether you have sleep bruxism. Our doctors can determine if you have the condition after assessing your bite and the level of wear on your teeth.

Awake Bruxism

Awake bruxism causes you to clench and grind your teeth during the day. It may be triggered by moments of heavy stress or deep concentration.

As with sleep bruxism, you may not be aware that you're grinding and clenching your teeth in the moment. After confirming your diagnosis, we can help you learn to recognize your triggers and educate you on how to manage the effects of the condition. 

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:

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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.

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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

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

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Dental Damage

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.
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Aches and Pains

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. 
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Jaw Dysfunction

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:

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    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. 

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    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.

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Kyle Ward-Dahl

2025

★★★★★

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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Sonya Johnson

2025

★★★★★

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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