Cracked teeth?
Stress may be
the cause.

If you're waking with a sore jaw, a dull headache, or finding new chips you can't explain, the cause may not be your teeth at all — it may be stress.

Bruxism — the clinical name for clenching and grinding — puts enormous force on teeth, often during sleep when you have no idea it's happening. Over time that force chips enamel, cracks teeth, wears down biting surfaces and strains the jaw joint.

Why stress is the trigger

When we're tense, we clench. For many people that tension carries into sleep, where the jaw muscles can generate far more force than during the day. The teeth take the hit — and because it's gradual, the damage often goes unnoticed until something cracks.

"The good news: once we identify grinding, protecting your teeth is simple."

Caught early, it's easily managed

A custom night guard cushions the force, existing damage is repaired, and we'll talk through simple ways to ease the clenching. The key is spotting it before a small crack becomes a lost tooth.