Do you wake up with jaw pain or headaches? You might be grinding your teeth at night.
Bruxism affects millions of Americans — most of them don't know they have it. Left untreated, it cracks teeth, destroys enamel, and causes chronic jaw pain.
The good news: it's one of the easiest dental problems to treat.
Six signs you might be grinding your teeth.
Most bruxism happens at night. You may not even know you're doing it — but your teeth and jaw do.
Jaw pain when you wake up
If your jaw feels sore, tight, or tired first thing in the morning, grinding is likely the cause.
Morning headaches
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Worn or flattened teeth
Grinding slowly flattens the cusps of your teeth. Your dentist can see this on your first exam — even if you've never noticed it yourself.
Tooth sensitivity
Once approved, you're ready to book. Same-day appointments available. Pick a plan from 3 to 24 months and pay at your own pace.
Your partner hears grinding sounds
The grinding sound at night is loud enough to wake a partner. If someone has mentioned it to you, take it seriously — it means it's significant.
Clicking or popping jaw
A clicking jaw when you open or close your mouth may indicate TMJ damage caused by chronic grinding. This needs attention before it gets worse.
Recognize any of these? Don't wait for a tooth to crack.
The average person who grinds their teeth does so for 40 minutes every night — generating up to 250 pounds of force per square inch. Your teeth were not built for that.
More than just grinding your teeth.
Bruxism is the medical term for teeth grinding and jaw clenching.
It can happen at night while you sleep — which is the most common
form — or during the day without you realizing it.
The causes vary: stress and anxiety are the most common triggers,
but bruxism is also linked to sleep disorders, certain medications,
alcohol, and misaligned teeth. Children often develop it during
growth or as a response to illness.
The problem isn't the grinding itself — it's what it does
over time. Chronic bruxism cracks teeth, destroys fillings,
causes gum recession, and leads to serious TMJ disorders.
A tooth that cracks from grinding often needs a crown or
an extraction. That's a $2,000 problem that a $300 night guard
could have prevented.
We match the treatment to your specific case.
There's no one-size-fits-all solution for bruxism. The Bethesda Dental Group team assesses your situation and recommends the option that makes the most sense for you.
Custom night guard
A custom-fitted oral appliance worn while you sleep creates a protective barrier between your upper and lower teeth. It prevents grinding damage, reduces jaw muscle tension, and eliminates morning pain within days of use. Unlike over-the-counter guards, a custom night guard fits precisely — it's comfortable enough to actually wear.
- Mild to moderate bruxism with no structural damage.
- Patients whose grinding is linked to bite issues.
Occlusal adjustment
If your bite is misaligned, it may be triggering your grinding. An occlusal adjustment corrects the bite by smoothing down specific contact points on your teeth — a precise, non-invasive procedure that takes one visit.
Restorative treatment
If grinding has already cracked, chipped, or worn down your teeth, we repair the damage with crowns, bonding, or veneers before fitting you with a night guard to prevent further wear.
- patients with existing structural damage from long-term bruxism.
From first visit to no more jaw pain.
- Assessment at your first visit
The Bethesda Dental Group team examines your teeth for signs of grinding, checks your bite, and assesses any jaw or TMJ involvement. Most patients are diagnosed at their first appointment.
- Custom impressions
If a night guard is recommended, we take precise impressions of your teeth the same day. Your custom guard is fabricated and ready within 1 to 2 weeks.
- Fitting and follow-up
We fit your night guard, make any adjustments for comfort and bite, and check in at your next cleaning to make sure it's working. Most patients notice relief within the first week of use.
200 reasons to choose us.
We don't ask you to trust us. We let our patients do the talking.
I hadn’t been to the dentist in longer than I wanted to admit, so I was expecting a lecture. Instead, the whole visit felt easy. My cleaning was gentle, everything was explained clearly, and I left knowing exactly what to keep an eye on and when to come back.
Melissa R.
Teeth Cleaning & Exam
Bethesda, MD
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I had a small chip on my front tooth that bothered me in every photo. I expected a much bigger treatment, but bonding was enough. The shade matches beautifully and the tooth still looks completely natural.
Laura M.
Cosmetic Dental Bonding
Bethesda, MD
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I drink coffee every day and felt like my teeth had gradually become much darker than they used to be. I wanted them brighter, but I definitely didn’t want that artificial super-white look. They helped me choose a shade that still looked like me, and the difference was exactly what I wanted. My smile looks fresher without looking “done.”
Emily S.
Professional Teeth Whitening
Bethesda, MD
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I avoided the dentist for years because of a terrible experience when I was younger. By the time I finally booked, I was embarrassed about both my teeth and how anxious I was. Nobody made me feel judged. They talked through the sedation options with me beforehand, explained exactly what to expect and made the appointment feel completely manageable. It was the first time I left a dental office thinking, “I can actually do this again.”
Lauren D.
Sedation Dentistry
Kensington, MD
5.0 ★ · Over 200 reviews on Google · Read all reviews →
I used to think preventive dentistry just meant getting my teeth cleaned and coming back six months later. They actually took the time to explain why I kept getting cavities in the same areas and helped me change a few things at home. We also added extra protection to a couple of teeth that needed it. My visits feel much more proactive now instead of waiting for the next problem.
Nicole B.
Preventive Dentistry
Kensington, MD
5.0 ★ · Over 200 reviews on Google · Read all reviews →
I had been dealing with jaw soreness and painful clicking for months and wasn’t even sure whether I should see a dentist about it. The appointment was very thorough. They asked when the pain happened, checked how my jaw was moving and explained the difference between the joint and the surrounding muscles. I appreciated that the plan felt conservative and specific to what I was actually experiencing.
Sarah L.
TMJ Evaluation & Treatment
Chevy Chase, MD
5.0 ★ · Over 200 reviews on Google · Read all reviews →
I had already been diagnosed with sleep apnea but struggled with my CPAP enough that I wasn’t using it consistently. I talked with my sleep doctor about alternatives and then came to Bethesda Dental Group for an oral appliance. The fitting process was easy, the adjustments were explained clearly, and traveling is much simpler now. My wife is also very happy that the snoring has improved.
James R.
Sleep Apnea Oral Appliance Therapy
Bethesda, MD
5.0 ★ · Over 200 reviews on Google · Read all reviews →
I had a badly broken molar and kept putting the appointment off because I was nervous about having it removed. They showed me why the tooth couldn’t really be saved, talked me through everything before starting, and the actual extraction was much more manageable than I had built it up to be. I also appreciated that we talked about what to do with the space afterward instead of just stopping there.
Rachel P.
Tooth Extraction
Bethesda, MD
5.0 ★ · Over 200 reviews on Google · Read all reviews →
I went in with a toothache that had kept me up the night before and was honestly dreading hearing “root canal.” The team explained exactly what they were seeing and what would happen next. Once I was numb, the appointment was much easier than I expected, and the relief afterward made me wish I had come in sooner.
Michael T.
Root Canal Treatment
Bethesda, MD
5.0 ★ · Over 200 reviews on Google · Read all reviews →
I chipped an old filling and was convinced it was going to turn into a much bigger procedure. Dr. Shawn showed me exactly what was happening, explained my options clearly, and repaired the tooth without making the visit stressful. My bite feels completely normal again, and the new filling blends in so well I can barely see it.
Daniel M
Composite Filling Replacement
Bethesda, MD
5.0 ★ · Over 200 reviews on Google · Read all reviews →
A custom night guard costs a fraction of what a cracked tooth does.
Cherry, Sunbit, Proceed and Care Credit financing available for all services.
No hard credit check · Approved in seconds · Plans from 3 to 24 months
Stop grinding. Start sleeping better.
A single appointment is all it takes to diagnose bruxism and start protecting your teeth. The Bethesda Dental Group team will assess your situation, explain your options, and have your custom night guard ready within two weeks.
