When it comes to maintaining your good dental health, there is much to consider beyond cleaning and protecting your gums and teeth. For instance, your bite needs to be in proper balance so your jaws, teeth, and other oral structures function smoothly and remain healthy; otherwise, you may be more susceptible to progressively worse dental issues. Bruxism and TMJ disorder are common bite disorders that affect your jaw joints and movement. Bruxism, or chronic teeth grinding, can exhaust your jaw joints and muscles, as well as cause excessive wear and damage to your teeth. TMJ disorder, or temporomandibular joint disorder, affects the two large joints on either side of your jaw that control its movement. Often related, bruxism and TMJ disorder can lead to a host of symptoms, including increased tooth sensitivity, jaw pain, headaches, migraines, and more.