Clenching, Grinding, and Jaw Pain Help Near You
Helping children find relief from teeth grinding, jaw pain, and TMJ concerns.
Understanding Teeth Grinding, Jaw Pain, and TMJ Disorders
Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) is the joint of the jaw. There are two TMJs, one on each side of the jaw, and they work in unison to open and close our mouths and allow us to chew and speak. A TMJ disorder (or TMD) is a chronic degenerative condition that can take years to develop and have serious consequences to our health and quality of life. When a jaw is misaligned, it can cause headaches, neck, and/or shoulder pain, clicking and/or popping sounds in the jaw, locked jaw, jaw pain, teeth grinding, and tinnitus (ringing in the ears).
Teeth Grinding (Bruxism)
Teeth grinding, also known as bruxism, is a common habit that often occurs during sleep. It can be caused by stress, anxiety, sleep disorders, or bite alignment issues. While occasional grinding may not cause harm, frequent grinding can wear down teeth, contribute to jaw pain, headaches, and tooth sensitivity, and affect your child's oral health over time. Our pediatric dentist can evaluate the cause and recommend the most appropriate treatment to help protect your child's growing smile.
Clicking or Locked Jaw
A clicking, popping, or locked jaw may be a sign of a temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder or another jaw-related condition. Children may also experience jaw pain, difficulty chewing, headaches, or limited jaw movement. During your child's visit, we will assess their jaw function and bite to determine the cause and recommend appropriate treatment to improve comfort and support healthy jaw development.
Diagnosing and Treating Jaw Pain and Teeth Grinding
During your child's visit, our pediatric dentist will examine their teeth, jaw, bite, and jaw joint to identify signs of teeth grinding (bruxism), TMJ disorders, or bite problems. Digital X-rays, photographs, and a comprehensive dental examination help us determine the underlying cause of jaw discomfort.
Treatment depends on your child's needs and may include monitoring jaw development, custom nightguards when appropriate, orthodontic evaluation for bite alignment, or recommendations to reduce habits contributing to teeth grinding. Early diagnosis helps protect developing teeth, relieve jaw discomfort, and prevent future oral health complications.
