www.megavista-health.com Tooth grinding is also known as bruxism, and describes the unconscious grinding of or clenching of the teeth. When tooth grinding occurs at night, it is known specifically as sleep bruxism. It affects children and adults alike, although children typically only grind their teeth at night. The primary concern with grinding teeth is that most people are unaware they have the problem until it has led to further complications, such as damaged teeth, jaw pain, headaches, or conditions such as TMJ. www.megavista-health.com Tooth grinding may be affecting up to 50% of the population. Because its a subconscious activity, its often a partner who notices that youre grinding teeth during the night or even during the day. The affected person may notice frequent headaches, tight, tense, or jaw pain and sore facial muscles, and sensitive teeth or worn down tooth surfaces. Grinding teeth can cause damage to the temporomandibular joint, which is the joint that connects the two halves of the jaw. This damage leads to a condition known as TMJ. www.megavista-health.com TMJ is an abbreviation for temporomandibular joint disorder or syndrome. Problems with this joint can lead to popping sounds and sensations when you chew, pain in the facial muscles, pain in the ears, stiffness in the joint itself, and chronic headaches. Tooth grinding is a primary cause of TMJ disorder. www.megavista-health.com Tooth grinding is actually a common sleep disorder known as sleep bruxism …