Are Bruxism And TMJ Related?
Although bruxism and TMJ (temporomandibular joint disorder) are two different issues, they can be related to one another. The act of bruxing can lead to TMJ and the existence of a TMJ disorder can lead to bruxing. However, they both can also exist separate from the other.
Bruxism
Bruxism is the chronic grinding and/or clenching of your teeth. Ten percent of people brux, and about 15 percent of children. If a member of your family bruxes, there is a 50 percent chance that you may form the same habit. Although bruxing happens mostly at night, it can also take place during the day. Bruxism can be caused by stress, anxiety, anger, worry, TMJ disorders, and some medications. Symptoms of bruxing include:
- Abnormal tooth wear
- Tooth pain/sensitivity
- Jaw pain or discomfort
- Ringing and/or pain in the ears
TMJ
Your TMJ are the jaw joints on each side of your face that control the opening and closing of your jaw. The cause of a TMJ disorder can be difficult to trace but can be due to an injury to the jaw, arthritis, genetics, bruxing, or a combination of factors. It is important to realize, however, that bruxing does not always lead to a TMJ disorder. Symptoms of TMJ disorders can include:
- Headaches
- Jaw pain
- Neck and shoulder pain
- Teeth grinding
Treatments
Both bruxing and TMJ can be treated conservatively. In the case of bruxing, a custom oral appliance can be crafted and worn at night to prevent contact between your teeth and relieve symptoms. In the case of TMJ disorder, a similar appliance can help alleviate symptoms by relieving the pressure on your jaw joints allowing them to rest more comfortably.