If you wake up with jaw pain, headaches, or worn-down teeth, you may be grinding your teeth at night without realizing it.
Teeth grinding—also called bruxism—affects millions of adults and children. Left untreated, it can cause serious damage to your smile and overall health.
At Hamada Orthodontics in Metairie, we help patients throughout the Greater New Orleans area find lasting relief from teeth grinding. Our airway-centric approach addresses the root cause—not just the symptoms.
What You’ll Learn in This Article
- What teeth grinding is and how to recognize the warning signs
- The hidden causes of bruxism, including airway and breathing issues most dentists overlook
- Treatment options from custom night guards to orthodontic solutions
- Why airway-focused orthodontics often succeeds when other treatments fail
- What to expect at your bruxism consultation
- Answers to common questions about cost, timeline, and insurance
What Is Teeth Grinding (Bruxism)?
Bruxism is the medical term for clenching or grinding your teeth, often unconsciously during sleep.
While occasional grinding may not cause harm, chronic bruxism can lead to cracked teeth, worn enamel, TMJ disorders, and persistent facial pain.
Many people don’t realize they grind their teeth until a dentist notices the damage—or a partner hears the grinding at night.
Common Signs of Teeth Grinding
- Waking up with a sore jaw or facial pain
- Frequent morning headaches or earaches
- Teeth that appear flat, chipped, or unusually worn
- Increased tooth sensitivity
- Tight or tired jaw muscles
- Disrupted sleep for you or your partner
If any of these symptoms sound familiar, it’s time to seek professional evaluation. An orthodontist who understands the connection between your bite, jaw alignment, and airway can identify what’s really going on.
What Causes Teeth Grinding?
Understanding the cause of your bruxism is essential for effective treatment.
At Hamada Orthodontics, we take a comprehensive approach to identify what’s driving your grinding habit.
Misaligned Bite or Jaw
When your teeth don’t come together properly, your jaw muscles can work overtime to compensate.
This strain often manifests as nighttime grinding. Bite misalignment issues are one of the most common—and most treatable—causes of bruxism. Orthodontic treatment can correct these problems and provide long-term relief.
Airway Obstruction and Breathing Problems
Here’s what most dentists miss: teeth grinding is often your body’s response to a compromised airway.
When your airway narrows during sleep, your brain signals your jaw to clench and push forward—opening the airway so you can breathe. The grinding is a survival mechanism.
This is why a night guard alone often fails. It protects your teeth but doesn’t address why you’re grinding.
Our sleep and breathing treatments evaluate whether airway obstruction is contributing to your bruxism.
Stress and Anxiety
Emotional stress is one of the leading triggers for daytime bruxism.
Many New Orleans area professionals, students at Tulane and Loyola, and busy parents find themselves clenching their jaws during high-pressure periods.
Sleep Disorders
Bruxism frequently occurs alongside obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and other sleep-related breathing disorders.
In fact, research shows a strong link between sleep apnea and teeth grinding—your body clenches the jaw to force the airway open when breathing is restricted.
If you snore, wake up gasping, or feel exhausted despite a full night’s sleep, a sleep-related breathing disorder may be driving your bruxism. Better sleep starts with better breathing—and addressing airway issues can dramatically reduce grinding.
Lifestyle Factors
Caffeine, alcohol, and certain medications can increase the likelihood of teeth grinding.
We’ll discuss your habits and health history to get a complete picture.
Why Airway-Focused Orthodontics Is Different
Traditional bruxism treatment stops at the night guard.
At Hamada Orthodontics, Dr. Allison Hamada uses airway expansion orthodontics and asks a deeper question: Why is your body grinding in the first place?
The Airway-Bruxism Connection
Your jaw position directly affects your airway. A narrow palate, recessed jaws, or improper bite can restrict breathing—especially during sleep.
When breathing is compromised, your nervous system triggers clenching and grinding to keep the airway open.
This explains why many patients grind through their night guards, or why grinding returns after they stop wearing one.
How Airway Orthodontics Addresses the Root Cause
Rather than just protecting teeth from damage, airway-focused treatment works to:
- Expand the palate to create more room for the tongue and airway
- Reposition the jaw to optimize breathing during sleep
- Correct the bite so teeth come together without strain
- Improve facial development in children to prevent future problems
For children showing early warning signs of grinding, early intervention through our growth and development guidance program can address these issues before they become chronic.
Learn more about why airway-centered orthodontics matters for long-term health.
Teeth Grinding Treatment Options in Metairie and New Orleans
Dr. Allison Hamada offers several treatment approaches depending on the underlying cause and severity of your bruxism.
Unlike one-size-fits-all solutions, we create a customized plan based on your unique needs.
| Treatment | What It Addresses | Timeline | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Custom Dental Night Guard | Protects teeth from grinding damage | Immediate | Quick protection while addressing root causes |
| Orthodontic Bite Correction | Misaligned teeth and jaw position | 12–24 months | Grinding caused by bite misalignment issues |
| Airway Expansion Orthodontics | Narrow palate, restricted airway, sleep-disordered breathing | 6–18 months | OSA, mouth breathing, or airway obstruction |
| TMJ & Myofunctional Therapy | Jaw joint dysfunction and muscle tension | 3–12 months | TMJ pain, clicking, or limited jaw movement |
Custom Dental Night Guards and Occlusal Splints
A custom dental night guard protects your teeth from damage while you sleep.
Unlike over-the-counter options, our night guards are precisely molded to your teeth for maximum comfort and effectiveness.
Many patients throughout Jefferson Parish rely on custom night guards as their first line of defense against bruxism damage.
Best for: Immediate tooth protection while addressing underlying causes
Orthodontic Treatment for Bite Correction
If your teeth grinding stems from a misaligned bite, orthodontic treatment may provide a permanent solution.
Options include:
- Invisalign clear aligners for discreet bite correction
- Traditional braces for more complex alignment issues
- Palatal expanders to widen a narrow upper jaw
- Specialized appliances to reposition the jaw
Not sure which option is right for you? Our post on aligners vs braces breaks down the differences.
By addressing the structural cause of your grinding, we can often eliminate the problem entirely.
Best for: Patients whose grinding is caused by bite misalignment
Airway Expansion and Development
For patients whose bruxism is linked to airway obstruction, sleep apnea orthodontic treatment focuses on creating more space for breathing.
This may include:
- MARPE (Miniscrew-Assisted Rapid Palatal Expansion) for adults
- Palatal expansion for children and teens
- Jaw repositioning appliances to improve airway during sleep
Jaw expansion is particularly effective for younger patients, whose bones are still developing.
Best for: Patients with narrow palates, mouth breathing, or sleep-disordered breathing
TMJ Treatment and Myofunctional Therapy Coordination
Chronic grinding often leads to—or results from—TMJ dysfunction, causing TMJ pain and jaw tension that affects your daily life.
Our TMJ and myofunctional care services address jaw joint issues alongside bruxism treatment.
For some patients, myofunctional therapy exercises that retrain the muscles of the face, tongue, and jaw can reduce grinding. We coordinate with myofunctional therapists to provide comprehensive care when appropriate.
You can also read more about the connection between TMJ, grinding, and sleep.
Best for: Patients with jaw pain, clicking, or limited jaw movement
Why Choose Hamada Orthodontics for Bruxism Treatment?
Families throughout Metairie, New Orleans, Luling, and Destrehan trust Dr. Allison Hamada as their Metairie bruxism specialist because we go beyond surface-level solutions.
We Treat the Root Cause
Many dentists simply prescribe a night guard and send you home.
At Hamada Orthodontics, we dig deeper to understand why you’re grinding and create a treatment plan that addresses the underlying issue—whether that’s bite misalignment, airway obstruction, or both.
Airway-Focused Expertise
Dr. Hamada specializes in airway-centric orthodontics, giving her unique insight into how breathing, jaw position, and bite alignment all contribute to bruxism.
This expertise benefits patients who haven’t found relief elsewhere.
Advanced Technology
We use digital scanning, 3D imaging, and the latest orthodontic technology to diagnose and treat teeth grinding with precision.
No messy impressions—just accurate, comfortable care.
Three Convenient Locations
With offices in Metairie, Luling, and Destrehan, we make it easy for families across Jefferson Parish and St. Charles Parish to access expert bruxism treatment close to home.
Experienced with All Ages
Whether you’re seeking help for a child who grinds their teeth or you’re an adult dealing with years of damage, we have solutions.
Our adult orthodontic options go beyond straight teeth to address health concerns like bruxism.
What Our Patients Say About Bruxism Treatment
Real stories from families we’ve helped
We love Dr. Hamada. Her and her team have helped our son so much!!!
He was a teeth grinder, snorer, and had a terrible time focusing in school because he couldn’t breathe. We didn’t realize how his maxilla structure and how his teeth were growing in was affecting his breathing.
It’s only been 6 months with the expander on his upper teeth and his teeth are straighter, his bite is more aligned, and he CAN BREATHE!
No more grinding and snoring at night and he’s able to be more attentive in school.
We HIGHLY recommend Dr. Hamada and her wonderful staff!
Dr. Hamada truly knows exactly what she’s doing. She takes the time to explain things in a way you can actually understand.
She provided valuable insight into why my son was sleepwalking and explained how the tongue plays a major role.
Both of my sons received palate expanders. Since starting treatment, their smiles look better and they are much more confident.
Most importantly, Thing 2 has not been sleepwalking, and his expander was removed on January 20th.
I will shout it from the rooftops—thank you sooooo much, Dr. Hamada and team!
I was referred to Dr. Hamada by a friend who was being treated for TMJ issues.
Dr. Hamada was very attentive and caring. I am pain free and loving my smile.
She went the extra mile and was genuinely invested in my dental health.
The Cost of Ignoring Teeth Grinding
Untreated bruxism doesn’t just cause discomfort—it can lead to expensive dental problems down the road.
Dental Damage
- Cracked or fractured teeth requiring crowns or extractions
- Worn enamel leading to sensitivity and decay
- Gum recession and increased risk of tooth loss
Health Consequences
- TMJ disorders causing chronic pain and limited jaw movement
- Sleep disruption affecting your energy, focus, and overall health
- Chronic headaches and facial pain
Financial Impact
Investing in bruxism treatment now can save you thousands in restorative dental work later.
We offer flexible payment plans to make treatment accessible for families throughout the Greater New Orleans area. Visit our patient resources page for more information on insurance and financing.
What to Expect at Your Bruxism Consultation
Your first visit to Hamada Orthodontics is designed to be thorough yet comfortable.
Comprehensive Evaluation
We’ll examine your teeth, jaw, and bite alignment to assess grinding damage and identify contributing factors.
Digital Imaging
Advanced 3D scans give us a detailed view of your jaw structure and airway.
Airway Assessment
Unlike typical dental exams, we evaluate your breathing patterns and airway to identify hidden causes of grinding.
Health History Review
We’ll discuss your symptoms, sleep patterns, stress levels, and any related health concerns.
Personalized Recommendations
Dr. Hamada will explain your treatment options, timeline, and costs so you can make an informed decision.
No Pressure
We believe in educating patients, not pressuring them. Take the time you need to decide what’s right for you.
Ready to take the next step? Learn more about what to expect at your first orthodontist visit in Metairie.
Frequently Asked Questions About Teeth Grinding
How do I know if I grind my teeth at night?
Common signs include waking up with jaw pain, morning headaches, tooth sensitivity, and visibly worn or chipped teeth. A partner may also notice grinding sounds while you sleep.
If you experience any of these symptoms, schedule an evaluation with an orthodontist in Metairie or New Orleans who can assess your teeth for damage.
Can children grind their teeth?
Yes, teeth grinding is common in children, especially during periods of growth or stress.
While many children outgrow bruxism, persistent grinding should be evaluated to prevent damage and rule out airway or bite issues. Mouth breathing is often a related concern.
At Hamada Orthodontics, we see young patients throughout the New Orleans area for early orthodontic evaluations.
Will a night guard stop my teeth grinding?
A custom dental night guard protects your teeth from damage but doesn’t stop the grinding itself.
For long-term relief, we recommend identifying and treating the underlying cause—whether that’s a bite misalignment, airway issue, or stress-related clenching.
How much does bruxism treatment cost in Metairie?
Treatment costs vary depending on your specific needs.
A custom night guard typically costs less than orthodontic treatment, but orthodontics may provide a permanent solution if bite misalignment or airway issues are the cause.
We offer flexible payment plans and accept most dental insurance to make treatment affordable.
Is teeth grinding related to TMJ disorders?
Yes, bruxism and TMJ disorders are closely connected.
Chronic grinding puts excessive strain on the temporomandibular joint, often leading to TMJ pain, clicking, and limited jaw movement. Read more about TMJ relief through airway-first orthodontics.
Treating bruxism early can help prevent TMJ complications.
Can Invisalign help with teeth grinding?
If your grinding is caused by a misaligned bite, Invisalign can help by repositioning your teeth into proper alignment.
Once your bite is corrected, the strain on your jaw muscles decreases, often reducing or eliminating grinding.
Learn more in our guide to clear aligners vs braces for airway health.
How long does bruxism treatment take?
Treatment duration depends on the approach.
A night guard provides immediate protection, while orthodontic treatment typically takes 12–24 months. During your consultation at our Metairie, Luling, or Destrehan office, Dr. Hamada will give you a personalized timeline.
Should I see a dentist or orthodontist for teeth grinding?
While dentists can diagnose bruxism and provide night guards, an orthodontist offers specialized expertise in bite alignment, jaw function, and airway development.
If your grinding is caused by how your teeth come together or how you breathe during sleep, an orthodontist like Dr. Hamada can address the structural issue for lasting relief.
Stop Grinding and Start Smiling
You don’t have to live with jaw pain, damaged teeth, and restless nights.
At Hamada Orthodontics, we help patients throughout Metairie, New Orleans, Luling, and Destrehan find real solutions for teeth grinding—not just temporary fixes.
Dr. Allison Hamada and our team are ready to evaluate your symptoms, identify the cause of your bruxism, and create a treatment plan that fits your life and budget.
Hamada Orthodontics | Metairie, LA
123 Metairie Rd, Metairie, LA 70005
Monday–Thursday: 8:00 AM – 4:45 PM
Hamada Orthodontics | Luling, LA
118 Lakewood Dr, Luling, LA 70070
Monday–Thursday: 8:00 AM – 4:45 PM
Hamada Orthodontics | Destrehan, LA
131 Ormond Center Ct, Destrehan, LA 70047
Monday–Thursday: 8:00 AM – 4:45 PM
Phone: (985) 725-0509
