Trouble With Sore Jaws? Unravel The Mystery!

Do you often wake up with sore teeth or a sore jaw? If yes, then you're probably grinding your teeth or clenching your jaw at night. 

It's important to figure out what's going on because it might lead to long-term issues.

The condition, known as bruxism, is common in children but is more commonly accepted in adults.

Bruxism is thought to occur in the central nervous system, according to research. Antidepressants, especially SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors), as well as anxiety and stress, have been linked to teeth grinding in studies. 

For certain people, a competitive attitude, alcohol use, smoking, and family background may all play a role.




Signs of clenching/grinding at night :


  • Loud grinding or clenching that wakes your sleeping partner
  • Teeth that are flattened, broken, chipped, or loose
  • Enamel wears away, revealing deeper layers of the tooth.
  • Tooth sensitivity has increased.
  • Soreness and pain in the jaw or face
  • Muscles in the jaw are tired and rigid.
  • Pressure in the head or face that feels like an earache
  • Headaches start at the base of the skull.
  • Scalloping/indentation on the sides of the tongue
  • Your temporomandibular joints (TMJ) are clicking or cracking.

Grinding and clenching will damage your TMJ, the hinge joints that bind your lower jaw to your skull, in the short term. 

Too much pressure from grinding/clenching muscles can result in popping, clicking, jaw locking, earaches, headaches, and facial pain. If the behavior persists, it can lead to chronic (longer than six months) facial pain, tooth fractures, daily headaches, migraines, and chronic TMJ issues.


Measures to reduce the frequency of grinding :


  1. Caffeine (colas, coffee, and chocolate) should be avoided before bedtime.
  2. Avoid consuming alcoholic beverages and smoking.
  3. Do not chew on pencils, pens, or other non-food products.
  4. Chewing gum regularly can aggravate existing pain.
  5. Sleeping on your stomach or with your hand on your jaw is not a good idea (back-sleeping is best).

While there is no way to avoid teeth grinding or jaw clenching at night, your dentist will fit you with a 'nightguard' by taking custom impressions of your teeth. Dentally fabricated nightguards are intended to maintain a stable bite while allowing for a safe, relaxed jaw closure. A dentist may adjust the system to help alleviate jaw muscle contractions during bruxism, reducing jaw joint tension and protecting tooth enamel. Mouthguards purchased over the counter protect the teeth.


Daytime grinding/clenching :


Teeth grinding and jaw clenching are common daytime habits, but you can train yourself not to engage in them.

Maintaining a proper mouth position is crucial. 

Keep your lips together and your teeth slightly apart while you think about it, and lean your tongue against the back of your front teeth. 

This relieves jaw joint tension and prevents you from grinding your teeth during the day.

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