Bruxism, or teeth grinding, can exacerbate TMD symptoms and place extra strain on the jaw joint. Many people grind their teeth at night and are unaware they do this. To combat this issue, our dentists can fit you for a mouth guard to wear at night that will prevent teeth grinding.
Bruxism is not the only habit that can worsen TMD symptoms though. Habits such as nail biting, chewing on pens, cuticle biting, or teeth clenching due to stress can also place strain on your jaw joint and increase your TMD symptoms.