TMJ or TMD (temporomandibular joint & temporomandibular disorder) is a common diagnosis for people who experience jaw discomfort. Bruxism is a term that relates to diagnosing people who clench or grind their teeth. Some people clench and grind while driving or working at a computer and others don’t realize that they are clenching and grinding in their sleep.

Did you know that when you are in a deep sleep you can clench 4x as hard as when you are in a conscious state? Many of our patients will wear a night guard or as some patients say “mouth guard” to sleep at night, which helps protect their jaw joint from long term irreparable damage and fillings, crowns and enamel from wear and tear. A night guard also helps to keep the jaw and TMJ in a more favorable position.