I have/had TMJ. I used to wear a night guard every night so that I could at least function the next day (severe headaches, lock jaw, all kinds of fun). I also had 4 1/2 years of braces when I was a teenager to re-align my teeth so that my jaw could actually relax when my mouth closed.

I haven't worn any sort of day or night guard since then. I have to watch things like chewing gum or eating things that require a lot of chewing. Thankfully, I haven't had lock jaw in probably 10 years.

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