What Is Bruxism, and Does a Night Guard Help?
Bruxism means grinding or clenching your teeth. It can happen while you are awake or asleep, and many cases are mild enough that they need no treatment. When grinding is wearing or breaking teeth, a professionally fitted night guard can protect them, but it usually doesn't stop the habit itself. A dental examination shows how much damage there is and whether something else is causing your symptoms.
How can I tell if I grind my teeth?
Possible signs include worn or chipped teeth, tired jaw muscles, morning jaw soreness and sensitivity. A sleeping partner may hear grinding. These signs do not prove bruxism, because decay, a cracked tooth and other conditions can cause similar symptoms. Start with a dental examination rather than diagnosing the problem yourself. Our guide on how to tell if you grind your teeth at night covers night-time signs in more detail.
Does a night guard stop teeth grinding?
A professionally fitted guard helps protect teeth and dental work from grinding forces. It usually doesn't stop grinding. The right approach depends on your symptoms, your existing fillings and crowns, and whether clenching happens during the day or at night. Our bruxism care page explains how we evaluate tooth grinding and discuss protection.
What can I do about daytime clenching?
Notice when your teeth are touching during concentration or stress, and discuss that pattern with your dentist. Keeping a short record of when symptoms occur can make your visit more useful. If symptoms began after a medication change, tell your prescriber and your dentist. Don't stop a prescribed medication on your own.
When should I have grinding symptoms checked?
Arrange an evaluation for repeated jaw soreness, new sensitivity, chipped teeth or damage to a filling or crown. If a tooth hurts when you chew, our guide to common causes of tooth pain explains why an examination matters. Discuss snoring or breathing concerns during sleep with your medical clinician as well.
Where can I get help with teeth grinding in Jacksonville?
Dr. CJ Henley's office is at 3675 Hendricks Avenue, Jacksonville, FL 32207, near San Marco. Bring any current guard and describe when you notice symptoms. We can assess your teeth and restorations and discuss next steps. Contact our office to arrange an evaluation.
Sources
National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. Bruxism. Last reviewed March 2025, retrieved 2026-10-06.
About the author. CJ Henley, DMD, is a general dentist in Jacksonville whose practice focuses on cosmetic and restorative dentistry, dental implants and dental care around head and neck cancer. Meet Dr. Henley.
CJ Henley, DMD, PA · 3675 Hendricks Avenue, Jacksonville, FL 32207 · 904-398-1549
Updated October 2026.
Gum Disease in Pets and People: What They Share
Oral health impacts the heart, liver, and kidneys in both humans and pets. Discover the clinical links between periodontal disease and systemic wellness.
Gum disease is common in adult dogs, cats and people, and it works much the same way in each: plaque bacteria below the gumline cause inflammation that destroys the tissue and bone holding the teeth. In both dogs and people, more severe gum disease has been linked with heart problems, including endocarditis, although that link has not been shown to be cause and effect. Brushing at home and professional care below the gumline matter for every member of the family.
How does gum disease develop?
Plaque, a sticky film of bacteria, builds up on the teeth every day. Left alone, it hardens into tartar. The visible tartar above the gumline is not the main problem. The damage happens below the gumline, where bacteria and the body's inflammatory response break down the gum attachment and bone. This is true in dogs, cats and people.
Because inflamed gums bleed easily, bacteria from the mouth can enter the bloodstream briefly. That is one reason researchers in both human and veterinary medicine have studied whether gum disease affects the heart.
What is endocarditis, and is it linked to gum disease?
Endocarditis is inflammation of the inner lining of the heart's chambers and valves, called the endocardium. [1] Infective endocarditis happens when bacteria settle there, often on a damaged or artificial valve.
In people, mouth bacteria are a known cause of some cases of infective endocarditis. The American Heart Association recommends preventive antibiotics before certain dental procedures only for people at the highest risk, such as those with artificial heart valves or a past episode of endocarditis, and it stresses that good daily oral health and regular dental care matter for everyone. [2]
In dogs, a study of nearly 60,000 dogs with gum disease and a matched group without it found that more severe gum disease was linked with a higher risk of later heart conditions, including endocarditis. The authors noted the study was observational. [3]
Why do pets need anesthesia for a dental cleaning?
A thorough cleaning has to reach below the gumline, and dogs and cats won't hold still for that. Veterinary dental guidelines therefore include recommendations for general anesthesia during professional cleanings. [4] People can usually have the same work done awake, with local anesthetic when needed.
What signs of mouth trouble should you watch for?
In pets:
Bad breath
Red gums or heavy tartar
Chewing on one side, dropping food or reluctance to eat
Pawing at the mouth or swelling of the face
In people:
Gums that bleed when you brush
Red, swollen or receding gums
Persistent bad breath
Loose teeth or a change in your bite
For your pet, ask your veterinarian. For yourself, see a dentist.
Where can you get your own gums checked in Jacksonville?
Our office cares for people, not pets. A comprehensive dental exam includes a full gum evaluation. For more on how gum health connects to the rest of the body, see can gum disease affect your overall health? To schedule, contact us or call 904-398-1549.
Sources
MedlinePlus (US National Library of Medicine). Endocarditis. Retrieved October 6, 2026.
Wilson WR, Gewitz M, Lockhart PB, et al. Prevention of viridans group streptococcal infective endocarditis: a scientific statement from the American Heart Association. Circulation. 2021;143(20):e963-e978. doi:10.1161/CIR.0000000000000969 (retrieved via PubMed)
Glickman LT, Glickman NW, Moore GE, Goldstein GS, Lewis HB. Evaluation of the risk of endocarditis and other cardiovascular events on the basis of the severity of periodontal disease in dogs. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2009;234(4):486-494. doi:10.2460/javma.234.4.486 (retrieved via PubMed)
Bellows J, Berg ML, Dennis S, et al. 2019 AAHA dental care guidelines for dogs and cats. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc. 2019;55(2):49-69. doi:10.5326/JAAHA-MS-6933 (retrieved via PubMed)
About the author. CJ Henley, DMD, is a general dentist in Jacksonville whose practice focuses on cosmetic and restorative dentistry, dental implants and dental care around head and neck cancer. Meet Dr. Henley.
CJ Henley, DMD, PA · 3675 Hendricks Avenue, Jacksonville, FL 32207 · 904-398-1549
Updated October 2026.