Bruxism and TMJ: If Left Untreated, Both Your Teeth and Joints Could Be at Risk

Do you ever wake up with a stiff jaw in the morning, or hear a ‘click’ from your jaw when opening your mouth? Symptoms like these, which may seem minor, are often caused by bruxism or temporomandibular joint disorders. In the early stages, they may only feel like a simple inconvenience, but if left untreated, they can lead to tooth wear, damage to the jaw joint, and changes in facial shape. Accurate diagnosis and treatment are therefore necessary. In this post, we will explain how to self-check for bruxism and TMJ problems, why treatment is needed, and how treatment is carried out.

Check whether you have any of these symptoms

If even one of these applies to you, it may be an early sign of bruxism or a TMJ problem. Rather than brushing it off as a simple habit, it is important to receive an accurate diagnosis to understand how your current condition may affect your teeth or jaw joint.

Bruxism and TMJ disorders

Symptoms and why they should not be left untreated

1. Symptoms related to bruxism

Bruxism mainly occurs not only during sleep at night, but also as a habit of clenching the teeth while awake. In particular, during sleep, it is not possible to control the strength of the bite, and the pressure applied to the teeth at that time is very strong, around 3-50 kg. This places a major burden on the teeth, gums, and jaw joint.

[Main bruxism symptoms]

• Tooth damage (attrition, wear)

• Tooth marks on the tongue (indentations)

• Frequent jaw joint pain and dysfunction

• Tooth fracture

• Gum disease

• Headaches and migraines

If left untreated, tooth wear worsens, the bite becomes unstable, and gum health may also deteriorate. It can also lead to TMJ disorders or headaches, so if symptoms appear, early consultation with a specialist and treatment are necessary.

2. Symptoms related to TMJ disorders

TMJ disorders are conditions in which structural or functional abnormalities occur in the temporomandibular joint. Inflammation or dislocation can cause pain and limited mouth opening. In the early stages, a clicking sound in the jaw when opening or closing the mouth is a representative symptom. As disc deformation progresses, limited mouth opening and severe pain occur.

[Main TMJ disorder symptoms]

• Pain in the jaw joint area

• Clicking sounds when opening the mouth

• Difficulty opening the mouth (limited mouth opening)

• Feeling that the jaw is out of place or movement is uncomfortable

If left untreated, damage to the jaw joint can become more severe and progress into serious problems such as chronic pain, reduced function, and facial asymmetry, so prompt treatment is needed.

At Minishe Dental Hospital,

How are bruxism and TMJ treatments carried out?

At Minishe Dental Hospital, bruxism and TMJ disorders are approached not simply as symptoms to be relieved, but by identifying and addressing the underlying cause based on an accurate diagnosis.

01 Medication / Physical therapy

If there is initial pain or the symptoms are not severe, medication and physical therapy are provided together. Medications are used to reduce inflammation and relieve pain, and physical therapy helps relax tight muscles to ease tension around the jaw.

02 Botulinum toxin injection therapy

Commonly known as Botox treatment, this method produces an immediate response, weakens muscle strength, and reduces muscle thickness, thereby reducing side effects caused by bruxism. Depending on the situation, injection treatment may continue for about 3-4 sessions.

03 Splint

A splint is a custom-made oral device that is mainly worn at night to protect the jaw joint and teeth and help reduce bruxism or clenching habits. By stabilizing the muscles, it enhances the effect of Botox treatment, and if bruxism continues even after treatment, it helps reduce tooth wear and damage. It is also a treatment method that aims to support recovery of deformed tissues by reducing pressure on the joint and disc.

Minishe Dental Hospital’s

Bruxism / TMJ treatment process

At Minishe Dental Hospital, we establish a treatment plan tailored to each individual through a precise oral examination and produce a custom occlusal stabilization device (splint) rather than a ready-made one. In addition, TMJ and bruxism treatment require accurate device adjustment and regular follow-up observation. Careful checks by a specialist and continuous monitoring are essential to improve symptoms.

If you want to improve both teeth already worn down by bruxism and a shortened jawline at once, there is the Minishe solution for tooth restoration.

Minishe goes beyond simply restoring damaged teeth by also considering the natural tooth line and facial balance, making it possible to restore both the function and aesthetics of teeth worn down by bruxism.

👉 Go learn about the Minishe solution for tooth restoration

The longer bruxism or TMJ problems are left untreated, the more likely they are to become chronic, and they can place a heavy burden on both the teeth and the jaw at the same time. That is why early diagnosis and treatment are especially important. Protect your dental health now with an accurate diagnosis at Minishe Dental Hospital 😊