Waking Up With a Sore Jaw? We Can Help.

What's Actually Happening When You Grind

Most people who grind their teeth don't know they're doing it. It happens at night, while you're asleep — and by the time you notice something is wrong, your teeth, jaw, or the person sleeping next to you have already picked up on it first.

Grinding and clenching (the clinical term is bruxism) is more common than most patients realize, and it's often tied to stress, sleep patterns, or the way your bite naturally comes together. It's not a character flaw. It's a mechanical problem — and it has a straightforward solution.

A custom night guard is a thin, precisely fitted appliance you wear while you sleep. It creates a protective barrier between your upper and lower teeth, absorbing the force of grinding before it can wear down enamel, stress your jaw joints, or crack existing dental work. The difference between a custom guard and something off a pharmacy shelf comes down to fit: a guard made from a digital scan of your bite seats comfortably, stays in place, and actually does its job through the night.

At Cornerstone Family Dental, we take digital impressions — no trays full of putty, no gagging — and the fit we get from those scans is precise in a way that over-the-counter guards simply can't replicate. We'll also take time to explain what we're seeing in your teeth before we recommend anything. If there are signs of grinding, we'll show you. If a night guard makes sense for you, we'll walk through what that looks like and what it costs before anything is scheduled. No surprises.

If another provider told you that you need a night guard and you're looking for a second opinion, or a place to actually get it made — you're in the right place. We're glad you're here.