Clenching and grinding of teeth
When the jaw becomes misaligned, the teeth do not lay properly along one another, which can cause clenching and grinding. This can cause both the wearing away of the teeth, but also severe pain in the jaw and face. While TMJ can often cause clenching and grinding, clenching and grinding can in turn make TMJ worse, creating a vicious cycle of discomfort and pain. If you find yourself waking up in the morning or the middle of the night with a tense jaw and clenched teeth, you may be experiencing the effects of TMJ.