When you wake up in the morning, do you have any jaw pain or stiffness? While you might just deal with it at first, it happening every day can put a damper on your overall quality of life. However, you may wonder what the underlying issue is. To help you get to the bottom of it, here are several possible culprits and what your dentist can do to get you the relief you deserve.
Why Does My Jaw Hurt in the Morning?
As was mentioned above, there are several causes of jaw pain, especially when waking up. Here are a few reasons to know:
- Bruxism: This habit is when you subconsciously grind or clench your teeth, particularly during the night. It’s common in a lot of people, as they don’t even realize they do it while asleep. The repeated motions can overwork your facial muscles and lead to soreness, fatigue, tooth wear, and headaches.
- TMJ Disorder: Your temporomandibular joints (TMJs) help you open and close your mouth. When they become inflamed or irritated, you may have discomfort or feel them clicking, popping, or having trouble moving your jaw.
- Stress: If you tend to feel overwhelmed, then that might be the culprit. You might be tense throughout the night and experience tightness or aching in your face when waking up.
How Can My Dentist Relieve My Pain?
Since several things can be behind your jaw pain, you might wonder what you can do to get it sorted out. Thankfully, there is plenty your dentist can do to help. If teeth grinding or clenching is the issue, then you can get a nightguard. This handy device can protect your smile from pressure and prevent any harmful contact while you sleep.
If TMJ disorder is the culprit, then your provider might recommend getting you an NTI-TSS splint. This is a specialized mouthguard that acts like a barrier for your teeth and gently shifts your jaw into a more relaxed position. It will relieve muscle tension, and the symptoms of this condition will gradually go away.
No matter what, your dentist is here for you. They will do what they can to diagnose the problem and lead you through the next steps. That way, you get rid of the discomfort that bothers you and get back toward the pain-free smile you deserve to have.
About the Practice
At Warwick Dentistry, our team is dedicated to helping patients in Pittsburgh with their hurting jaws. Led by Dr. Joyce Warwick and Dr. John Warwick, we are proud to offer reliable solutions, like nightguards and special oral appliances for TMJ disorder. By getting to the bottom of the issue, you can feel confident getting the treatment you deserve. If you feel jaw pain when waking up, schedule an appointment or call our office at (412) 391-1130.