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During the day, be mindful if you are grinding or clenching your teeth. If you notice your teeth are touching during the day, it could be an indication of clenching and grinding.
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If you wake up in the morning with a sore jaw or joint, it could be an indication of teeth grinding or clenching at night.
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Stress reduction and relaxation strategies can be effective in preventing teeth grinding or clenching.
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If the problem persists, patients should call their dental clinic as continued grinding and clenching can cause negative oral health concerns – temporomandibular joint pain (TMJ), tooth pain or tooth fracture.
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Contact your dental clinic about teeth grinding and clenching concerns. Patients experiencing severe pain as the result of teeth grinding or clenching qualifies as an emergent need at our dental clinics.
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Mouth guards should come from your dentist. Over-the-counter or store-bought mouth guards can make joint pain worse if they are not adjusted by a dentist.