If you wake up with a stiff neck or a sore back, chances are you slept in a strange position, or it might be time for a new pillow. However, what about if you wake up with a sore jaw in the morning? Unfortunately, a bad mattress or poor sleeping position isn’t the cause. Instead, here are 3 common culprits of recurring morning jaw pain.
1. Grinding or Clenching Teeth
Bruxism is a subconscious habit of grinding and clenching the teeth, often while sleeping. The friction and pressure can cause your teeth to hurt and wear away your enamel, but that’s not the only complication.
It can cause inflammation of your facial muscles and temporomandibular joints (TMJ), which are located on either side of your face, connecting your jaw to your skull.
Your dentist can provide you with a nightguard, which will provide a barrier between the top and bottom teeth to absorb the friction. Not only will it stop your jaw pain, but it will also safeguard your smile from bruxism issues, like tooth loss.
2. Temporomandibular Joint Disorder
When the temporomandibular joints don’t function correctly, it can lead to a variety of symptoms, like jaw pain, difficulty opening the mouth, or clicking and grating sensations. Although bruxism is a common cause, it’s not the only factor that can lead to a TMJ disorder. Past trauma to the joint, arthritis, or a poorly aligned bite can also cause TMJ dysfunction.
No matter the reason, your dentist can provide you with an oral appliance to wear at night to train your jaw to rest in a more natural position.
3. Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is a breathing disorder, so you might not expect it to cause jaw pain, but there is a connection between the two. The most common form of sleep apnea is caused by an obstruction created by the soft tissues in the back of the mouth or throat collapsing to block the airway. This causes pauses in breathing frequently throughout the night.
Snoring is a common symptom of sleep apnea because it also results from narrowing of the airway. Holding your mouth open at night from snoring or trying to breathe can make your jaw sore the next day.
Your dentist can treat obstructive sleep apnea using an oral appliance, which will reposition your tongue and jaw to keep your airway open. You’ll stop your jaw pain and breathe better, so you can get a good night’s rest to wake up feeling your best.
Don’t let recurring jaw pain ruin your morning. Your dentist has the solutions you need to manage your discomfort and improve your jaw functions.
About Dr. Pamela West
Dr. West earned her dental degree at the University of Southern California Dental School and has regularly continued her education in various specialties, including bruxism, TMJ therapy, and sleep medicine. If you’re ready to stop your jaw pain, request an appointment through our website or call (702) 602-4000.