What is
Dental Compression Syndrome?

Dental Compression Syndrome (DCS) is a contemporary name for the centuries-old bad habit of compressing and grinding one's teeth. 

The damage that occurs can be devastating to the component structures of the mouth. The force of compression and grinding, which can easily exceed 500 lbs. per square inch, simultaneously applies pressure to the teeth, to the bone supporting the teeth, and to the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), where the mandible (lower jaw) hinges with the skull.

These heavy repetitive load applications, over a period of time, can cause headaches, facial pain, neck and shoulder pain, supporting bone loss, sensitive teeth, fractured teeth, ringing in the ears, dizziness, and problems concerning the TMJ. 

Approximately ninety percent of the population exhibits damage from DCS, but few are aware of the condition, because this habit tends to be subconscious.

Etiology - why people clench and grind their teeth