Sleep Assessment
You may not be sure what to think when you wake up with mysterious jaw pain. Unfortunately, many people grind or clench their teeth when they sleep as a reflex or stress response, and these involuntary habits can cause serious damage to your teeth if allowed to go on. Here are what you should know about nocturnal teeth grinding, when you should seek help from your dentist, and a few home remedies that can help treat the issue.
Why Is My Jaw Sore in the Morning?
Teeth grinding, which is also called bruxism, is the most common reason behind jaw pain. If you only notice your jaw hurting in the morning after you wake up and find that the pain diminishes as the day progresses, your discomfort is probably caused by you grinding your teeth in your sleep. This unfortunate reflex causes a lot of stress to the muscles and bones in your jaw.
If left untreated, teeth grinding can have serious consequences for your oral health. A few of these include:
- Flattening the edges of your teeth, making it harder to bite and tear food.
- Causing chips or cracks in your teeth, making them more vulnerable to tooth decay.
- Damaging teeth to the point of tooth loss.
- Exhausting the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), resulting in headaches, backaches, or neck pain.
- Forcing teeth out of alignment, which can require orthodontic treatment for correction.
How Can I Treat Teeth Grinding at Home?
A few ways to prevent or treat nocturnal teeth grinding at home include:
- Abstaining from caffeinated beverages in the later part of the day.
- Enjoy relaxing activities before bed such as having a warm bath, reading a book, or meditating.
- Practicing proper sleep hygiene by keeping your room dark and cool and avoiding screen time for about an hour before sleep.
- Wearing a special bite guard to bed can create a cushion between your teeth that prevents them from grinding together.
How Can My Dentist Help?
If your morning jaw pain isn’t going away despite your best efforts, you probably need help from a dentist. They will use advanced diagnostic technology to evaluate the bones and muscles in your TMJ joints. This data will allow them to develop an effective treatment plan that can relieve inflammation and tension in the joint, reducing grinding and the pain that results from it.
Don’t let teeth grinding ruin your beautiful smile. With the proper measures, you can sleep comfortably while protecting your teeth from damage.
About the Author
Dr. Michael E. Michel graduated with his Doctor of Dental Surgery from the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Dentistry and has pursued continuing education in dental sleep medicine ever since. He has extensively studied non-surgical treatments for temporomandibular joint dysfunction. His office in Topeka, KS offers treatments for sleep apnea as well as TMJ issues. To schedule an appointment to address nocturnal teeth grinding, contact his office online or dial (785) 273-0801.