What Causes TMJ?
Reviewed: Dr. Gromatzky
7. Teeth Grinding
Many people grind their teeth while sleeping without even realizing they’re doing it. Often, the first sign that you grind your teeth is pain in your jaw when you wake up. The repetitive movement and stress of bone against bone overworks the joint. As you clench your teeth, the muscles around the joint get tired and can seize up.
The obvious solution is to stop grinding your teeth, and your dentist can help fit you with a mouth guard so that you can break the habit. You may also try a simple exercise when you first wake up. Open your jaw manually, placing your fingers on top of your bottom front teeth and pressing down gently. Try to press down more with each repetition until your jaw moves freely and without pain.
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