It can be quite a struggle to get out of bed when you wake up with soreness in your jaws, on one or both sides. This issue is becoming increasingly common among both younger and older adults. But what causes jaw pain when waking up? And is there any solution for it? This guide explains the possible causes and ways to manage the problem.
Why Do I Wake Up with Jaw Pain in the Morning?
For some people, jaw pain may happen because of a specific problem. While for others, it can be due to more than one reason. One of the most likely causes of your jaw pain in the morning is bruxism.
Bruxism is a habit in which you grind your teeth during sleep, often without even realizing it. The pressure it puts on your teeth and jaws can be serious enough to cause pain when you get up. People with bruxism often feel soreness in both sides of their jaws, although one side may hurt more than the other.
Some of the other causes why you may have morning jaw pain include impacted wisdom teeth, tooth decay, or temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ disorder).
Problems Caused by Teeth Grinding and Jaw Clenching
Bruxism can cause more problems than just waking up with a sore jaw. This is because when you grind or clench your teeth, there is constant pressure on your jaws and also your facial muscles. With this repeated pattern, some signs that you may notice include:
- Tooth enamel wear
- Nearly flattened tooth surfaces
- Small cracks in your teeth
- Increased tooth sensitivity
- Trauma to your gums
These problems can get worse, especially if you clench your teeth in the daytime as well, because of routine stress. That’s why you should seek dental care as soon as you notice any such changes in your mouth.
How Can I Manage Morning Jaw Pain?
The first step in treating morning jaw pain is identifying its cause. The easiest way to do this is to get a professional review. Your dentist will talk to you about the symptoms you’ve been having and examine your mouth in detail.
If teeth grinding or bruxism is the likely cause, they may recommend you to wear an oral appliance at night. It stops your teeth from grinding and the damage that comes with it.
A lot of clinics include these appliances in their TMJ therapy. You can also do some easy jaw exercises at home that might help your stiff muscles relax.
If you experience a lot of pain in your jaw because of an impacted wisdom tooth or a dental infection, your dentist will suggest the best treatments.
Takeaway
When you wake up and feel that your jaw is aching, you may take an OTC painkiller to manage it. But it is only a temporary solution. You should get it checked by a dental professional, especially if there are oral health symptoms too.
If you face this issue, visit our dental experts at Anh B. Dao, DDS & Associates today. Call us at (281) 992-7000 to schedule a consultation.