Wear a plastic mouth guard, fitted by your dentist, while you sleep. TMJ stands for TemporoMandibular Joint disorders. TMJ involves the joint itself, or the nearby muscles and nerves, and affects twice as many women as men. A head, jaw, or neck injury can cause TMJ as can arthritis and clenching or grinding your teeth. Discomfort from TMJ is usually temporary, but the disease is progressive.
Treatment includes anti-inflammatory drugs, soft foods, and heat or ice compresses.
Avoid yawning widely, singing loudly, and chewing gum. Prevent teeth grinding. Other treatments are more invasive, such as steroid injections or surgery. Always get a second opinion before surgery. Once you determine the source of bad breath you can target the solution.