TMJ or Temporomandibular joints implies the jaw joints (we have two joints which work simultaneously for eating, speech, swallowing, yawning etc. TMD or Temporomandibular (joint) disorders is disorder affecting the jaw joint or jaw muscles and the symptoms range from jaw pain, jaw sounds, jaw locking, headaches, etc.

Some people do clench their teeth while exercising (mainly strength training) but there is no good studies to show if there is any clear relationship between them. Actually, some people who clench find that their jaws relax during or after exercises (including lifting weights). Teeth clenching involves gritting of the teeth due to severe tension in the jaw muscles. While muscle tension in the jaw area is common during exercising, they are usually not symptomatic and do not require an intervention.

Medical and dental insurance companies currently do not solicit Orofacial Pain specialist to be providers. Insurance companies often defer treatment of TMJ disorders and Orofacial pain to Oral Surgeons and surgery tends to be an option for a extremely small number of patients. If you have coverage for out-of-network coverage, you can be reimbursed from your insurance company by submitting the bill.

If you wish to find out coverage for your visit beforehand, call your insurance and inquire about coverage for CPT code 99204 (new patient consultation) from your medical insurance or D0160 from your dental insurance.

For a few days, over the counter mouth guards do work. A lot depends on the purpose of the mouthguard; if the purpose is to remove the influence of the teeth over the muscles and joint, a store bought mouthguard would work. The use of over the counter mouthguard should be discontinued if you notice teeth pain or bite changes or worsening of symptoms.

Teeth grinding or bruxism is very common and affects about one in 5 adults (more common in children). It is a behavior most of the times while sometimes it is more of a disorder.  Bruxism needs to be addressed if it is accompanied by:

• Poor sleep (trouble sleeping or poor day time energy),
• Headaches (especially morning and temple headaches),
• Jaw pain,
• Jaw locking
• Ear pain,
• Snoring,
• Increased dental pathology (gum recession, root canals failing etc),or
• Cracked and chipped teeth