Teeth grinding & jaw clenching

Teeth grinding and jaw clenching are forms of bruxism. Many people do this unconsciously, especially while sleeping or during moments of stress and concentration. When grinding, your teeth and molars move over each other, while when clenching, the jaws are pressed firmly together without sliding. Over time, both habits can cause problems such as tooth wear, headaches or pain in the jaw muscles. Read all about the causes, consequences and possible treatments at Loef Mondzorg in Rotterdam city centre.

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What are the symptoms of teeth grinding and jaw clenching?

The most common symptoms of teeth grinding and jaw clenching are pain in the jaw muscles, headaches and sensitive teeth. Many people notice these symptoms mainly when they wake up in the morning. Other signs of bruxism can include:

A tired or tense feeling in the jaw
Headaches, especially at the temples
Pain or pressure around the ear
Sensitive or worn teeth
Pain when chewing or opening the mouth
Tooth imprints on the tongue or cheeks

Because teeth grinding and jaw clenching often happen unconsciously, you may not notice it yourself. Sometimes your partner hears the grinding at night, or the dentist discovers tooth wear during a routine check-up.

What causes teeth grinding and jaw clenching?

The exact cause of bruxism is not always clear. In many cases several factors play a role. Factors associated with teeth grinding and jaw clenching include:

Stress and tension
Sleep disorders
Alcohol use
Smoking
Certain medications
Drug use (such as ecstasy)
Neurological conditions

Because the cause can differ from person to person, we always discuss your symptoms and possible triggers during a consultation.

What is the difference between teeth grinding and jaw clenching?

The difference between teeth grinding and jaw clenching lies in the movement of the teeth and molars. When grinding, the teeth slide forcefully over each other, while when clenching, the teeth are pressed firmly together without movement.

Teeth grinding usually occurs during sleep and is often accompanied by audible sounds. Jaw clenching often also happens during the day, for example during moments of stress, concentration or tension.

Both forms can damage your teeth if they persist for a long time. As soon as you (or someone else) notice it, make an appointment at Loef Mondzorg in Rotterdam city centre to prevent (further) damage.

How does the dentist diagnose teeth grinding or jaw clenching?

We usually diagnose teeth grinding and jaw clenching during a routine check-up or during a conversation when you come in to discuss your symptoms. During a check-up, we look for signs of wear or overloading of the jaw muscles. Among other things, we look at:

Wear of teeth and molars
Tooth imprints on the tongue or cheeks
Tension in the chewing muscles
Problems with the jaw joint

We also ask about possible causes such as stress, alcohol use, smoking, medication and your general health.

Treatment process

How is teeth grinding or jaw clenching treated?

When treating teeth grinding and jaw clenching, we mainly focus on reducing your symptoms and protecting your teeth. The first step is often becoming aware of the clenching or grinding. At Loef Mondzorg we can advise various solutions:

01
A night guard (splint) to protect your teeth against wear
02
Advice to relax the jaw muscles
03
Support for stress-related complaints

Chair in a treatment room at Loef Mondzorg

How can I relax my jaws?

You can relax your jaws by consciously paying attention to the position of your jaw muscles. At rest, your teeth should not touch. Some ways to relax the jaw muscles are:

Gently massage the jaw muscles
Let your tongue rest relaxed against your lower teeth
Stick out your tongue a few times a day
Make a chewing movement for a few minutes without food in your mouth

These exercises can help you reduce the tension in your jaw muscles. If this does not help, be sure to contact the dentist straight away to make an appointment. With us, you can do this by phone or at the practice.

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Tandartspraktijk Loef Mondzorg in Rotterdam

Looking for help with teeth grinding or jaw clenching? Visit Loef Mondzorg!

Do you experience symptoms such as jaw pain, headaches or sensitive teeth due to teeth grinding or jaw clenching? Then it is wise to have your teeth checked as soon as possible.

At Loef Mondzorg in Rotterdam, we examine whether bruxism is damaging your teeth and advise you on the best solution. Make an appointment for a consultation today or contact us for more information. Call us directly or register online first so you can then schedule an appointment.

010 200 4815 Register

Patient experiences

Our patients' experiences

4,9 237+ Google reviews

    
 
 
       Geplaatst op Google  
   
   S T 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifieert dat de oorspronkelijke bron van de recensie Google is. Excellent dentists and team!
  
 
      Geplaatst op Google  
   
   Ab de Buck 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifieert dat de oorspronkelijke bron van de recensie Google is. Heel erg tevreden met Loef.
Ik had een zgn opbeetplaat nodig. Ik had hiervoor een slechte ervaring achter de rug bij m'n oude tandarts (kon geen advies geven waar dat te laten maken) en het Ikazia ziekenhuis (plaat paste tot tweemaal toe niet (opgemeten met verouderde methode ("happen")), en erg duur (1100 euro). Nu bij Loef snel, vriendelijk en heel goed geholpen. Ze meten op met een camera, en de opbeetplaat past precies. In dat tegen zeer redelijk tarief (300). Blij mee.
Tussendoor had ik pech dat een vulling los kwam te zitten werd daar ook snel voor geholpen.
Overall: professioneel, hoge kwaliteit, transparant in prijzen, goede service. Ben heel blij dat er nog een mogelijkheid was om over te stappen!
  
 
      Geplaatst op Google  
   
   Marlous Hazebroek 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifieert dat de oorspronkelijke bron van de recensie Google is. Het ontvangst is uiterst service gericht. Vriendelijke dames die je persoonlijk ontvangen in een moderne wachtruimte met relaxte sofa's en relaxte muziek. De tandarts Mohamed neemt de tijd, stelt je gerust en geeft duidelijk aan wat er gaat gebeuren en geeft vooraf een overzicht van de mogelijke kosten. Er werken diverse specialisten, zoals een mondhygiÃ«nist,  wortelkanaalbehandeling deskundige, tandarts en assistenten waardoor de behandelingen met veel kennis en de nieuwste technieken en apparatuur worden uitgevoerd.   Nog twee pluspunten zijn dat ik ook in het weekend terecht kan en de locatie. Vlakbij stadhuis en centraal station. Ideaal met het openbaar vervoer te bereiken en daarna nog even de stad in!
Mijn angst is zo goed als weg en mijn gebit wordt eindelijk goed herstelt! Zo blij dat ik overgestapt ben naar Loef Mondzorg!
  
 
      Geplaatst op Google  
   
   Marja Burger 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifieert dat de oorspronkelijke bron van de recensie Google is. Vanmiddag een wortelkanaal behandeling gehad bij Abdel. Wat een vrolijke vakman. Geen centje pijn. Hij stond vrolijk zijn dingetje te doen. En ik...ik viel bijna in slaap. Super blij met jullie
  
 
      Geplaatst op Google  
   
   Joel Clotet 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifieert dat de oorspronkelijke bron van de recensie Google is. Great service! My tooth filling fell off, and needed quick dental care. I got a place in their agenda within 1 day. They created a profile of my mouth, looked for any other possible issues (luckily I had none), and proceeded to treat me within 1 day afterwards.
The tooth filling process was quick, well explained, and totally painless.
I would recommend without a doubt!

Getting here

Loef Mondzorg

Our dental practice at Weena 91 is easy to reach, right in the centre of Rotterdam and within walking distance of Rotterdam Central Station. Thanks to this central location, the practice is easily accessible by public transport: several train, metro, tram and bus lines stop close to the Weena, including metro lines B, D and E. From Rotterdam Central Station you will be at the practice within a few minutes, making it ideal for residents of Rotterdam as well as patients from surrounding towns.

The practice is also easy to reach by car via the main roads into the city centre, with parking facilities nearby. This means Loef Mondzorg combines a central location with excellent accessibility, both by public transport and by car.

Rotterdam City Centre location

Weena 91, 3013 CH Rotterdam
010 200 4815
info@loefmondzorg.nl
KVK 82679282

Public transport Plan your route

A 5-minute walk from Rotterdam Central Station.

By car Navigate to

Weena car park is a 2-minute walk away.

Opening hours Open now · today until 17:00

Monday 08:00 – 17:00
Tuesday 08:00 – 21:00
Wednesday 08:00 – 17:00
Thursday 08:00 – 17:00
Friday 08:00 – 17:00
Saturday 09:00 – 16:00
Sunday Closed

Also open on Tuesday evenings until 21:00 — easy to combine your visit with work.

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Our team of dedicated care providers knows how important a healthy, pain-free mouth and a radiant smile are for your quality of life and self-confidence. Curious about our practice? Register and come and visit us. We are happy to guide you through the world of dental care and explain everything clearly with helpful instruction videos.

Emergencies Do you urgently need a dentist in Rotterdam? Call us directly on the emergency number below and we will help you the same day with acute complaints and emergencies. 010 200 4815 · Open now · today until 17:00