Waking with a stiff jaw, a dull ache at the temples, or a partner telling you they hear you grinding are classic signs of bruxism. A jaw that clicks, catches or hurts near the ear points to the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Shield Dental Care treats both from its Burke office, a short drive from West Springfield, Kings Park and Rolling Valley, with custom night guards made from a digital scan, habit coaching and, for some patients, further treatment. First-time visitors can find an overview of the practice on our dentist near Springfield, VA page.
Grinding and TMJ problems are related, not identical
Grinding and clenching are muscle habits, mostly during sleep for grinding and during the day for clenching. A TMJ disorder (TMD) is a problem with the jaw joint or the chewing muscles themselves. They often travel together, but treating one does not automatically fix the other. TMD affects about 5% of U.S. adults and is about twice as common in women, according to the NIDCR, the federal research institute for dental health, and many cases settle on their own (NIDCR, TMD). The causes, signs and full set of options are covered in our teeth grinding and clenching treatment guide.
Start with the simple, reversible steps
The NIDCR advises starting with simple treatments first, such as soft foods, heat or cold, over-the-counter pain relievers and breaking clenching habits, and being cautious about anything that permanently changes the bite or the joint. We follow the same order. For a Springfield patient, that typically means:
- An exam of your teeth for wear and cracks, your bite, the jaw muscles and the joints.
- Daytime habit work. The resting jaw should have lips together and teeth apart. Our article on breaking a daytime clenching habit has practical cues that work well for long commutes and desk jobs.
- A custom night guard if the teeth are wearing or the muscles are overloaded at night.
- Restoring damaged teeth once the grinding is controlled, so new work is protected.
Custom night guard: two visits
A night guard does not cure grinding. Its job is to be the surface that wears down, so your enamel does not, while distributing the pressure more evenly over the jaw. The practice makes guards from a digital scan rather than messy impressions, so the process from Springfield looks like this:
- Visit 1: exam and scan. If you are already coming in for a checkup, ask whether the scan can be done the same day to save a trip.
- Lab fabrication: the guard is made in a dental laboratory, so there is a gap before it is ready.
- Visit 2: fitting and adjustment so the guard sits evenly and comfortably, plus instructions for cleaning and storing it.
After that, bring the guard to your regular checkups so we can look for wear and check the fit. Fittings are brief, so they slip easily into an early weekday slot or the 8 AM to 2 PM hours on Fridays and Saturdays.
A guard should protect your teeth without moving them. The NIDCR specifically warns against appliances designed to permanently change your bite, and ours are not made for that purpose. It also notes that evidence on whether oral appliances relieve TMD pain is limited, so we are honest that a guard is mainly about protecting the teeth.
Night guard, sports guard or store-bought?
These are different devices. A night guard is built for grinding forces during sleep. A sports mouthguard is designed to absorb impacts, and high school football, field hockey, ice hockey and lacrosse players are required to wear one; our article on mouthguards for Springfield student athletes covers that. Boil-and-bite guards from a drugstore can serve as a stopgap, but they tend to be bulky and loose, and a guard you do not wear protects nothing.
When symptoms persist
If you still wake sore despite a well-fitting guard and better daytime habits, there are further options. For some patients, injections that weaken the masseter take the edge off heavy clenching. Because that use is off-label and the studies disagree, it is an addition to the guard, never a swap; the details are on our page about jaw Botox at the dentist near Springfield. Loud snoring, pauses in breathing at night or heavy daytime tiredness should be raised with your physician too, because grinding can occur alongside sleep apnea. Our article on teeth grinding and sleep apnea explains the link.
Paying for a night guard
Dental plans treat night guards very differently: some cover part of the cost, some limit how often a replacement is paid for, and some exclude them. If you have FEDVIP or TRICARE dental coverage, check the plan's rules for occlusal guards before you book, and call us with your plan details if you want help reading them. A dental flexible spending account can generally be used for dental treatment that is not cosmetic, under IRS Publication 502. How federal plan years and Open Season affect a purchase like this is covered in FEDVIP and TRICARE dental for Springfield households.
When jaw pain is not routine
If your jaw locks and you cannot close your mouth, or it hurts after a fall or blow to the face, do not wait for a routine slot; see urgent dental care for Springfield residents. Jaw pain with chest pressure, shortness of breath or sweating can be a sign of a heart problem: call 911. The same applies to swelling of the face that is moving up toward the eye or down into the neck, difficulty swallowing or breathing, or a high temperature.
Book an exam
If your teeth are wearing, your jaw aches in the morning or you have been told you grind, an exam is the first step. Ring the office at (703) 250-5072 or fill in the appointment request form, noting that you would like your bite and jaw looked at.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many times do I need to come in for a night guard?+
Usually twice: once for the exam and digital scan, and once to fit the finished guard. After that, bring it to your regular checkups so we can check wear and fit.
My jaw clicks but does not hurt. Do I need treatment?+
Often not. Painless clicking is common and many TMJ symptoms settle without treatment. Mention it at your checkup so we can note it, and come in sooner if it starts to hurt, catch or lock.
Can I wear a sports mouthguard at night instead?+
No. A sports guard is shaped to absorb impacts and is not designed for hours of grinding. Wearing one overnight can be uncomfortable and does not protect the teeth the same way.
Will a night guard stop my headaches?+
If the headaches come from overworked jaw muscles, protecting the teeth and reducing clenching may help, but a guard is not a headache treatment. Headaches that are new, severe or changing should be checked by your physician.
Should I try Botox before a night guard?+
Usually not. A custom guard and habit changes come first because they protect the teeth and are fully reversible. Botox is considered when symptoms continue despite them.