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Jaw Clenching & Grinding Treatment in Atlanta

Clenching your jaw or grinding your teeth? We treat the jaw pain, tension, and habits behind it, at our TMJ clinics in Roswell and Dunwoody.

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Why TMJ Physical Therapy

Care built around your jaw

TMJ and orofacial pain is all we treat. We help patients across greater Atlanta get relief without surgery.

One-on-one care

Every visit is with a TMJ-focused physical therapist for the full session.

No referral needed

In Georgia, you can start physical therapy without a physician referral.

Two clinics

Convenient locations in Roswell and Dunwoody.

Superbills provided

Submit to your insurer for possible out-of-network reimbursement.

Stressed woman clenching her jaw while working at her laptop
Sound familiar?

Two kinds of clenching and grinding

Maybe you catch yourself clenching at your desk, or you wake up with a sore jaw and a headache. Maybe your dentist mentioned worn teeth, or your partner hears you grinding at night. Clenching and grinding, called bruxism, are among the most common drivers of jaw pain.

  • Daytime (awake) clenching. Holding your teeth together or bracing your jaw while you concentrate, drive, exercise, or feel stressed. Most people don't realize they're doing it until someone points it out.
  • Nighttime (sleep) grinding. Clenching or grinding during sleep, often linked to brief sleep disruptions. You may only notice the aftermath: a sore jaw or headache in the morning.

Many people do both, and each needs a different approach. A night guard protects your teeth, but it doesn't treat the muscles or the daytime habit.

Signs you're clenching or grinding

  • A sore, tired, or tight jaw, especially when you wake up
  • Morning headaches at the temples
  • Worn, chipped, or sensitive teeth
  • Ridges along the sides of your tongue or the inside of your cheeks
  • Enlarged or tender jaw muscles at the angle of the jaw
  • Ear pain or fullness with no infection
  • A partner who hears grinding at night
Rested woman waking up refreshed without jaw pain after physical therapy for clenching
Our approach

How physical therapy helps clenching and grinding

We treat the overworked muscles and retrain the habits that keep them overworked. Your plan is built from your evaluation and typically includes:

  • Habit retraining to catch and stop daytime clenching, including a relaxed jaw resting position
  • Hands-on manual therapy for tight chewing muscles, inside and outside the mouth
  • Dry needling for tense jaw, temple, and neck muscles, when appropriate
  • Neck and posture work, since neck tension and clenching feed each other
  • Relaxation and down-regulation strategies for stress-driven clenching
  • A home program so you keep improving between visits

Physical therapy works best on daytime clenching and on the pain and tension that grinding leaves behind. For nighttime grinding, we work alongside your dentist, who can protect your teeth with a night guard. Read more about night guards and jaw pain.

Clenching often brings other symptoms along. Learn more about TMJ headaches, TMJ ear pain, or TMJ treatment in Atlanta.

Your first visit

What to expect at your first visit

Every visit is one-on-one with your physical therapist for the full session.

  • 1. A full history

    Including when and where you notice clenching and any dental findings.

  • 2. A hands-on exam

    Of the jaw muscles, joint, and neck.

  • 3. A clear explanation

    Of what's driving your clenching and pain, in plain language.

  • 4. Treatment the same day

    Plus simple habit strategies to start right away.

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TESTIMONIAL

WHAT OUR PATIENTS SAY

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Patient

Meagan

“I have visited several doctors for my TMJ issues, and none have given me the relief or results like Dr. Glackin… After roughly 5 appointments, my jaw feels better than it has in years.”

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Patient

Rhea

"I struggled with chronic TMJ pain for months before finding Dr. Glackin. Within just a couple of sessions, he made significant progress where other medical professionals had not."

Clenching and grinding treatment in Roswell and Dunwoody

We see patients from across metro Atlanta, including Sandy Springs, Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Marietta, and Brookhaven.

When to see a dentist or physician

See your dentist for a cracked or broken tooth, tooth pain, or a bite that feels different. Talk with your physician if you snore loudly, wake up gasping, or feel very sleepy during the day, since nighttime grinding can be linked to sleep apnea. If grinding started after beginning a new medication, let your prescriber know.

FAQ

Clenching & Grinding: Common Questions

Answers to the questions we hear most about jaw clenching and teeth grinding.

Daytime clenching is often linked to stress, concentration, and habit. Nighttime grinding is related to brief disruptions during sleep, and can be influenced by certain medications, caffeine, alcohol, and sleep apnea.

A night guard protects your teeth from grinding, but it doesn't treat tight muscles, joint irritation, or daytime clenching. Many of our patients use a night guard and physical therapy together.

Physical therapy is most effective for daytime clenching, which is a habit you can retrain. For nighttime grinding, physical therapy reduces the pain and tension it causes, while your dentist protects your teeth.

Start by noticing it. A relaxed jaw rests with your lips closed, teeth slightly apart, and tongue resting on the roof of your mouth. Simple reminders through the day help build the habit, and physical therapy adds hands-on treatment and coaching.

Yes. Clenching overworks the temple and jaw muscles, which commonly causes headaches at the temples and pain felt in or near the ear.

No. In Georgia, you can start physical therapy without a physician referral.

Book a TMJ Evaluation
Ready when you are

Unclench and get relief

A night guard protects your teeth. Physical therapy treats the muscles and the habit. Book a one-on-one evaluation in Roswell or Dunwoody and leave with a plan to break the clenching cycle.