Bruxism and Teeth Grinding Treatment

Bruxism is the medical name for grinding, clenching, or gnashing your teeth when you are not chewing. Many people do it at night without knowing. Over time it can wear down enamel, crack teeth, and strain the jaw joints. At Harmony Dental Care in West Covina, our dentists evaluate the cause of your grinding and build a plan to protect your teeth and ease the discomfort.

What is bruxism?

Bruxism is an involuntary habit. Sleep bruxism happens while you are asleep, and awake bruxism happens during the day, often when you are concentrating or stressed. Some people clench their jaw and never make a sound, so the habit can go unnoticed for years.

A small amount of grinding may not cause harm. The concern is chronic grinding, which puts repeated force on your teeth, muscles, and jaw joints. Your dentist can tell whether your teeth show wear from grinding and whether the habit is affecting your bite.

Who can benefit from bruxism treatment?

Bruxism treatment is useful for adults who wake with a sore jaw, and for patients whose teeth look flattened, chipped, or sensitive. It is also helpful for anyone whose partner hears grinding at night. Parents sometimes notice grinding in children, and our team can discuss it during an evaluation.

Patients from Valinda, Charter Oak, and Walnut visit our West Covina office for bruxism diagnosis and custom night guards.

What are the signs of teeth grinding?

The signs can be easy to miss, so it helps to know what to watch for. Common signs include:

• Teeth that look flattened, chipped, or cracked
• Tooth sensitivity or pain
• Jaw muscle soreness or stiffness, especially in the morning
• Dull headaches that start near the temples
• Earache-like pain without an ear infection
• Indentations along the edges of your tongue
• Grinding sounds during sleep, reported by a partner

If you notice any of these, a dental evaluation is a sensible first step.

What causes teeth grinding?

Bruxism usually has more than one cause. Stress and anxiety are among the most common triggers for both awake and sleep bruxism. An uneven bite or crooked teeth can create uneven forces that encourage grinding. Sleep disorders, including obstructive sleep apnea, are also closely linked to grinding at night.

Some everyday habits and medicines may increase grinding. Caffeine and alcohol are common examples, and certain medications, particularly SSRIs, are known to be associated with more grinding. Do not stop or change any medicine on your own. Talk with your doctor and your dentist about your options.

How bruxism treatment works at Harmony Dental Care

We look at the whole picture before recommending treatment. That includes your bite, your jaw joints, the tension in your jaw muscles, the pattern of wear on your teeth, and your sleep habits. This helps us treat the cause as well as the damage.

Custom night guards

For many patients, a custom night guard is the first treatment we recommend for sleep bruxism. A night guard, also called an occlusal splint, is worn over your teeth while you sleep. It keeps your upper and lower teeth from grinding directly against each other.

Our guards are not store-bought. We take digital impressions of your teeth, so the guard is shaped to your bite. A well-fitted guard is more comfortable to wear every night and spreads bite forces more evenly.

Bite equilibration

If an uneven bite is contributing to your grinding, Dr. Khaef may recommend bite equilibration. This is a careful adjustment that reshapes specific contact points on your teeth. The goal is a more balanced bite that reduces the reason to grind. Only the teeth that need adjusting are changed, and the rest of your teeth are left as they are.

Restorative treatment for grinding damage

If grinding has already caused significant wear, cracks, or fractures, we can restore those teeth. Options include dental crowns, bonding, and veneers. We recommend treating the damage and the grinding together. Restoring teeth without addressing the habit can leave them exposed to the same forces again.

TMJ therapy when grinding and the jaw joints are linked

Bruxism can contribute to temporomandibular joint (TMJ) problems. Patients with TMJ disorder may notice jaw pain, clicking, locking, or headaches. When grinding is part of the picture, we can include TMJ care in your plan. This may involve splint therapy, referrals for physical therapy, and changes to daily habits. Your dentist will explain which parts apply to you.

What to expect at your bruxism visit

Your first visit is an evaluation. Your dentist will review your symptoms and ask about your sleep and daily habits. They will examine your teeth, bite, and jaw joints, and may take digital X-rays and 3D images so they can see the teeth and bone clearly.

The fitting is not painful. We use a local anesthetic when needed, numbing gel, warm blankets, and noise-canceling headphones to keep you comfortable from start to finish. Your dentist will go over how to wear and clean the guard and when to come back for a check.

Cost, insurance, and payment

The cost of bruxism treatment depends on what you need. An evaluation, a night guard, bite adjustment, and restorative work are different services, and your plan may treat them differently. Coverage for a custom night guard depends on your dental plan, so we recommend checking your benefits before your visit.

We accept PPO and indemnity plans, Medi-Cal, Denti-Cal, Smile California, and CalOptima. We handle authorizations and claims for Medi-Cal, Denti-Cal, and Smile California, and CalOptima dental care is provided directly by our office without a referral.

We offer a free insurance eligibility check before your visit, so you know what your plan may cover. For patients without insurance, our $59 new patient special includes a comprehensive exam, digital X-rays, and a professional cleaning. This special does not include a night guard or treatment.

For elective and major procedures, we offer flexible financing with monthly payment plans. Ask about your options during your visit.

Recovery and aftercare

Most patients adjust to a night guard within a few nights. It may feel unfamiliar at first, and some people notice more saliva or mild tightness in the jaw while they get used to it. If discomfort continues, contact the office so your dentist can check the fit.

After bite adjustment or restorative work, your teeth may be sensitive for a short time. Follow the care instructions your dentist gives you. Keep your follow-up visits so we can check the guard, your bite, and your teeth over time. Regular checkups also let us see whether grinding is changing and whether the plan needs updating.

Why patients in West Covina choose Harmony Dental Care

Harmony Dental Care has been caring for patients in West Covina for 20 years. Our team is led by Dr. Nguyen, a DMD, and Dr. Khaef, both committed to continuing education and current dental techniques. Dr. Nguyen oversees bruxism evaluation and treatment planning, and Dr. Khaef provides bruxism diagnosis and night guard care.

Our approach includes:

• Complete diagnosis. We look at your bite, jaw joints, muscles, tooth wear, and sleep habits to find all the contributing factors.
• Digital impressions. Your night guard is shaped from digital impressions for a precise fit.
• Care under one roof. From bite correction and night guards to crowns and veneers, treatment for grinding and its damage happens in one office.

Our office is open Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and we are closed on weekends.

How to book your bruxism evaluation

If you are dealing with jaw pain, headaches, worn teeth, or grinding that a partner has noticed, we can help you start with an evaluation. New patients of all ages are welcome. Call (626) 858-3305 or book online, and a member of our team will help you find a time that fits your schedule.

If your jaw pain or headaches are severe, tell us when you call so we can see you as soon as possible.