Does tmj cause teeth grinding? i've never been diagnosed with tmj, and but have ground my teeth for a long time. and lately, i've been having facial pain and headaches when i wake up in the morning. should i my dentist is i have tmj?

It : It sounds like the symptoms of a TMJ disorder. It is the grinding that causes the TMJ problems, not the other way around. Have your dentist take a look at it and it may be that a night guard will solve your problems.

TMJ : Tmj stands for temporomandibular joint, the two hinges that control the position and motion of the lower jaw. Grinding of the teeth (bruxism) is not normally associated with a TMJ disorder, but more commonly with a problem with your occlusion (bite) or muscles associated with the function of the lower jaw. This accounts for your headaches and facial pain on arising as the muscles are working when they should be resting. Stress is usually a precipitating or aggravating factor. Occasionally medical disorders and some drugs can contribute to the problem. I recommend that you be evaluated by a dentist or board certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon who has training and experience handling this issue. Treatment may take many forms: stress reduction, muscle relaxant therapy or drugs, pain relievers and splint therapy. The best course of action.

TMJ : Tmj just stands for temporomandibular joint. We all have 2. The condition commonly referred as "tmj" is actually tmd meaning temporomandibular disorder were there is pain in the joint and surrounding areas due to clenching and grinding of your teeth. A lot of people area symptom free in the early stages of the disorder, but due to the habitual clenching and grinding, you are beating up your tmj. By clenching your teeth, you are basically putting your head in a vice. Bite your teeth together and feel the muscles. You are doing that for hours while you sleep. You must break the habit...Not easy. Your dentist can help by making you an occlusal guard. This must be a hard plastic to prevent the clenching. Soft ones encourage you to clench. Most dentist fabricate these regularly. Please do not try an over the counter type. They are meant as mouth guards not night time appliances. Sometimes we need to put you on anti-inflammatories or sedatives to help break the cycle. If you can take ibuprofen, try 2 before bed to lessen the inflammatory response to clenching. Good luck!

Bruxism: Some of the newest findings in the TMJ community is the connection of bruxism to sleep related breathing disorders (ie apnea). Your jaw position is related because it is attached to the tongue and it is the tongue that can block the airway. Grinding is a way to try to stabilize airway by moving the jaw grinding pts stop grinding if placed on CPAP 80% of the time. Sleep study recommended!

Bruxing: I concur that sleep disorders is connected to bruxism in many patients. It sounds like you are grinding your teeth and this is called bruxism. Tmj/tmd can cause bruxing or it could be reversed where grinding causing TMJ symptoms. A thorough examination is needed to determine cause of tmj.

Sleep Bruxism: Many factors can be responsible for headaches and facial pain. You should talk with a dentist who has been trained in these disorders to get an appropriate diagnosis and develop the best treatment approach.

Reverse: Grinding probable cause of your TMJ.See a TMJ expert. Any dentist can be a TMJ expert with the proper training and experience. Most commonly, oral surgeons, prosthodontists, and orofacial pain specialists. Ask your MD, your dentist and your dental society for referrals.