Personal Notes on Bruxism and Temporomandibular Joints

Warning I am not a medical professional. These notes are based on personal research and personal experience. They are not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. I suffer from nocturnal bruxism. That is, at night, I excessively clench my jaw and grind my teeth. Humans have an average bite force of 830-1100 kPA, and people with bruxism often build these muscles and will exert that force directly into their teeth, gums, bones, and jaw. In 2026, my bruxism has become markedly worse, causing dental damage. During a particularly stressful spell in September 2026, my gums began receding, and I’m here documenting my efforts to stop and manage this condition. While attempting to cite and reference medical journals and papers where relevant and possible, documentation of these conditions seems poor, and a lot of it seems to be associated with the organisations creating dental appliances. It falls between arthrology and dentistry. Unfortunately the study of the…