Understanding Jaw Pain: When Bruxism and TMJ Are the Culprits
Doctores Especialistas on August 12, 2025. Visit author social media
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Bruxism is when you unconsciously clench or grind your teeth while resting, leading to jaw pain and worn-down teeth. It can be caused by stress, anxiety, bite issues, or even genetics. Many people don’t realize they have bruxism until they notice damage to their teeth or start feeling symptoms like headaches, tooth sensitivity, or jaw tightness.
This jaw tension can inflame and wear out the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), causing problems like clicking sounds, pain when opening or closing your mouth, ear discomfort, and ongoing headaches. These symptoms mean the joint needs professional care to avoid more serious issues.
Treating bruxism and TMJ disorders usually involves a full approach, including mouthguards to protect your teeth, orthodontics to fix bite problems, stress management, and sometimes surgery. Seeing a specialist early can improve your quality of life and help prevent lasting damage to your jaw and teeth.
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