There are millions of people who grind and clench their teeth, especially while they’re asleep. Severe pain and problems of the temporomandibular joint, or TMJ, often are the result of these harmful habits. This temporomandibular joint joins the jaw to the skull, which might explain the pain that often occurs in the facial area, such as the temples, resulting in very painful headaches, not to mention the other problems that are associated with TMJ.
Apparently, these bad habits develop more often during stressful times. Teeth can wear down and crack from consistently clenching the jaw and ultimately lead to inflammation, arthritis and degenerative changes in the jaw joint. About 10 percent of people who grind or clench their teeth (called bruxism) endure problems related to TMJ.
Unfortunately, treatments for TMJ are often not covered by insurance because there are a lot of medical insurers who think it is a dental problem, and a lot of dental insurers who think it is a medical problem. The reality is that some policies actually rule out coverage for TMJ disorders. On the other hand, physical therapy for TMJ-related conditions are usually covered.
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