Why would a nighttime mouth guard warn against using it if you have TMJ problems?
I have some pretty bad TMJ issues and will be seeing a specialist shortly, but I grind my teeth so badly at night that my teeth and jaw hurt when I wake up. I wanted to use an over-the-counter mouth guard for some relief until I see the specialist, but the package warns not to use if you have TMJ or jaw clicking associated with TMJ. Any ideas as to why?
Night guards are sold over the counter not for TMJ problems exactly but for a condition known as bruxism or grinding of teeth. Since you already have a TMJ problem, wearing mouth guards are going to worsen things because of abnormal muscle pull in the TMJ area. Thats why dont use it when you are sleeping.