By Dr. Harlovjeet Singh, DDS — SpringLake Dental, Woodland, CA
You wake up with a sore jaw. Your teeth feel sensitive. Your partner mentions you were making a grinding sound in your sleep again. If this sounds familiar, you may be dealing with bruxism — the clinical term for teeth grinding and clenching — and you are not alone.
At SpringLake Dental in Woodland, CA 95776, we see patients dealing with bruxism regularly. Most of them did not realize how much damage was happening until they came in for a routine visit and we pointed it out. The good news: it is very treatable. The not-so-good news: if you ignore it long enough, the damage becomes expensive to fix.
This guide covers what causes teeth grinding, how to recognize the warning signs, and exactly what we do about it here at our Woodland office.
What Is Bruxism?
Bruxism is the habit of grinding, gnashing, or clenching your teeth — either during sleep (sleep bruxism) or while awake (awake bruxism). Sleep bruxism is more common and more damaging because you have no conscious control over it. You can be grinding hard enough to crack a tooth and have no idea it is happening.
It is considered a sleep-related movement disorder, and it often occurs alongside other conditions like sleep apnea or restless leg syndrome. Awake bruxism tends to be more about clenching than grinding and is often tied to stress or concentration habits — people clench while driving, working, or staring at a screen.
Both types cause real damage over time.
What Causes Teeth Grinding?
There is rarely one single cause. Bruxism is usually a combination of factors:
Stress and anxiety are the most common drivers. If you are going through a difficult period at work or at home, your body may be holding that tension in your jaw — especially at night when you are not actively managing it.
Sleep disorders play a role too. People with obstructive sleep apnea grind their teeth at significantly higher rates than the general population. If you snore or wake up unrefreshed, it is worth mentioning to your doctor alongside your dental symptoms.
Bite misalignment — when your upper and lower teeth do not come together evenly — can trigger grinding as your jaw unconsciously tries to find a comfortable resting position.
Caffeine and alcohol both increase the likelihood of sleep bruxism, particularly when consumed in the evening.
Certain medications, especially SSRIs (antidepressants), are associated with bruxism as a side effect. If you started a new medication around the same time your symptoms appeared, mention it when you come in.
Signs You Might Be Grinding Your Teeth
Because sleep bruxism happens at night, most people need to look for secondary clues. Here is what to watch for:
Morning jaw soreness or stiffness — your jaw muscles have been working all night and they let you know about it when you wake up.
Headaches that start at the temples — the temporalis muscle runs along the side of your head and is heavily involved in chewing. Chronic tension there causes a specific type of headache that often gets misdiagnosed.
Tooth sensitivity — grinding wears down the enamel on your teeth. Once enamel is gone, the underlying dentin is exposed, and that layer is far more sensitive to hot, cold, and sweet.
Worn, flattened, or chipped teeth — this is usually what we notice first during an exam. Healthy teeth have natural curves and edges. Teeth that have been ground down look flat, and the edges may be chipped or uneven.
Pain or clicking in the jaw joint — the TMJ (temporomandibular joint) takes a beating from chronic clenching. You may notice clicking, popping, or pain when you open your mouth wide.
Indentations on the sides of your tongue — a sign that you are pressing your tongue against your teeth while clenching.
Cheek tissue damage — some patients chew the inside of their cheek unconsciously as part of the same habit pattern.
If you are experiencing several of these symptoms, it is worth coming in for an evaluation. Patients from Woodland, Davis, West Sacramento, and the surrounding Yolo County area can schedule a same-week appointment at our office on East Gibson Road.
What Happens If You Don’t Treat Bruxism?
This is where it gets serious.
Enamel does not grow back. Once it is worn away, it is gone. The more enamel you lose, the more vulnerable your teeth become to decay, sensitivity, and fracture.
Cracked teeth are a direct result of prolonged grinding. A cracked tooth may need a dental crown or, in severe cases, an extraction followed by an implant or bridge.
TMJ disorders can develop and become chronic. In some cases, patients end up with limited jaw mobility, constant facial pain, and difficulty eating.
Gum recession can accelerate. The excessive force from grinding puts stress on the attachment between your teeth and gums.
Existing dental work gets damaged. Fillings, crowns, and veneers are not immune to grinding forces. We have seen patients crack crowns they paid thousands of dollars for because unaddressed bruxism kept working on them at night.
The pattern we see most often: a patient comes in after years of grinding, multiple teeth need crowns, and the cost runs well into the thousands. A night guard, by comparison, costs a fraction of that and lasts for years.
How SpringLake Dental Treats Teeth Grinding in Woodland, CA
There is no single universal fix for bruxism, but there are highly effective approaches depending on your situation.
Custom Night Guard
This is the most common and most effective first-line treatment for sleep bruxism. A custom night guard is a thin, hard acrylic appliance that fits over your upper or lower teeth and creates a protective barrier between them. It does not stop the grinding reflex, but it prevents your teeth from contacting each other directly — stopping the damage.
The key word is custom. Over-the-counter night guards from a pharmacy are bulky, uncomfortable, and often make grinding worse because the brain senses a foreign object and responds by clenching harder. A guard made from a precise impression of your teeth fits properly, stays in place, and is comfortable enough to actually wear.
Stress Management
If stress is the main driver, addressing it is part of the solution. We may recommend working with your primary care provider if we think anxiety or a sleep disorder is significantly involved.
Bite Adjustment
If your teeth are not meeting evenly, we may recommend bite equilibration — a process of carefully reshaping specific teeth so your jaw has a natural, comfortable resting position. In some cases, orthodontic treatment is the right long-term answer.
Restorative Work for Existing Damage
If grinding has already caused significant wear or damage, we will discuss your restoration options. This might include dental fillings, crowns, or bonding to rebuild worn tooth structure and restore proper bite function. For patients with significant dental anxiety around treatment, we also offer sedation options including nitrous oxide and oral sedation to make the process as comfortable as possible.
How We Check for Bruxism at Your Exam
During a comprehensive exam at SpringLake Dental, Dr. Singh evaluates the condition of your enamel, looks for wear patterns, checks your bite alignment, and assesses your jaw joint and surrounding muscles. If signs of bruxism are present, we discuss it with you directly — what we are seeing, what it means, and what we recommend.
Many patients are surprised to learn they grind their teeth. It is not something you can always feel or notice on your own. That is one of the reasons regular dental check-ups matter — they catch things before they become expensive problems.
Serving Woodland, Davis, West Sacramento & Surrounding Communities
SpringLake Dental is located at 1837 East Gibson Road Suite #D, Woodland, CA 95776 — convenient for patients coming from Davis, West Sacramento, Winters, Zamora, and across Yolo County. We accept most major insurance plans including Delta Dental, Cigna, Aetna, Guardian, GEHA, Ameritas, and United Health Care.
If you have been waking up with jaw pain or a partner has told you that you grind your teeth at night, do not wait until a tooth cracks. Schedule a same-week evaluation with Dr. Singh and we will give you a clear picture of what is happening and what to do about it.
Book your appointment at SpringLake Dental
Frequently Asked Questions — Teeth Grinding in Woodland, CA
Can teeth grinding go away on its own?
Occasional grinding during a stressful period sometimes does resolve on its own once the stress passes. Chronic bruxism, however, rarely stops without some form of intervention. The longer it continues, the more cumulative damage builds up — so it is better to address it early rather than wait and hope.
Is a night guard covered by dental insurance?
Many insurance plans cover night guards, at least partially, when bruxism is documented by a dentist. The coverage varies by plan. Our team at SpringLake Dental will check your specific benefits and let you know what to expect before we proceed with treatment.
Can children grind their teeth?
Yes, bruxism is actually fairly common in children, especially while they are losing baby teeth and their bite is changing. Most children outgrow it. If you are concerned about your child’s grinding, bring them in and we will take a look.
What is the difference between a night guard and a sports mouthguard?
A sports mouthguard is designed to absorb impact from external forces. A night guard is designed to protect teeth from the internal forces of grinding and clenching. They are not interchangeable — using a sports guard as a night guard is uncomfortable and not effective.
How long does a custom night guard last?
With proper care, a custom night guard typically lasts three to five years. Heavy grinders may wear through one faster. We check the fit and condition of your guard at regular visits.
Does stress cause teeth grinding?
Stress is one of the most common contributing factors, but not the only one. Sleep disorders, bite misalignment, and certain medications also play a role. Often it is a combination. We look at the full picture to give you the most effective treatment plan.
SpringLake Dental — 1837 East Gibson Road Suite #D, Woodland, CA 95776 Serving Woodland, Davis, West Sacramento, Winters, Zamora, and Yolo County
Dr. Harlovjeet Singh, DDS
GENERAL & EMERGENCY DENTIST — SPRINGLAKE DENTAL
Dr. Singh is a graduate of NYU College of Dentistry with specialized training in dental implants and sedation dentistry. He founded SpringLake Dental with the goal of providing comfortable, unhurried dental care to families throughout Woodland and Yolo County.
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