Waking up with a sore jaw once in a while may not seem like a big deal. But when it occurs every morning, it becomes a cause for concern. You might ask questions such as “Is that normal?” or “Will it get better on its own?” We’ll look at some of the common causes of jaw pain in the morning, and when you need to seek professional care for it.
What Are the Causes of Jaw Pain in the Morning?
Many youngsters and adults feel that their jaw hurts when they wake up, especially on one side. It can happen for different reasons:
Teeth grinding or clenching
This is one of the most common causes, yet one that many people remain unaware of. Those with bruxism often grind their teeth while they are asleep. Constant grinding and clenching of your jaw strains your temporomandibular joints (TMJ).
People don’t realize they have this habit until they start noticing symptoms like frequent jaw pain or headaches in the morning.
Bite issues
Having a healthy bite means that the bite force is distributed across all your teeth. If you have a bite issue, such as an overbite or a deep bite, it throws off the balance of your jaws.
That’s a reason why people with orthodontic issues are more prone to TMJ pain as well.
Excessive chewing
Do you often chew on ice? Dentists say that chewing on hard foods puts extra strain on your jaw. You may not feel the pressure that time, but when you wake up with a sore jaw the next day, you can guess why it happened.
Impacted teeth or cavities
When wisdom teeth are about to emerge, it’s normal to have some pain in the back of your jaw. For many people, the pain doesn’t resolve. It can happen if the tooth remains embedded in the jaw or grows in at an odd angle, putting pressure on your other teeth.
A severely infected or damaged tooth can also cause referred pain that radiates to the jaw.
TMJ disorder
Jaw pain that occurs mostly on one side may be related to TMJ disorder. You may also notice that your jaw feels more stiff in the morning, or the simple act of opening or closing your mouth becomes uncomfortable. Some patients also hear clicking or popping noises.
When Should You Worry About Morning Jaw Pain?
Jaw pain can be temporary. Chewing or biting on something too hard can be a trigger. But if it starts happening every morning, you should see a dental professional.
First, your dentist will examine your teeth, jawbone, and TMJ health to figure out the underlying issue. Depending on the cause, there are different treatment options. If it’s an issue with the jaw joints, your dentist will talk to you about TMJ treatment options. This can include oral appliances, medications, jaw exercises, or in extreme cases, surgery.
To Sum It Up
Frequent pain in one or both sides of the jaw upon waking up is not something you should overlook. If you have been dealing with this pain too often, talk to our dental experts at Hickerson Dental & Associates today. Call us at (713) 782-3123 for an appointment.