Monday mornings are already tough enough, but today, you can’t even enjoy your coffee or favorite breakfast. The reason? Your jaw hurts. Again. If this is you, you might have already suspected the typical culprits. But the fact that your discomfort hits its peak in the morning is really odd, and if it’s not a consistent ache, that rules out quite a few possibilities.
Here’s another possibility that might match your symptoms better: the problem is dental. Fortunately, your dentist knows some tricks that can solve the issue. Keep reading to learn how your teeth might be connected, and what your dentist can do to help.
You Grind Your Teeth in Your Sleep
When your jaw complains in the morning, it could be because you’re unconsciously grinding your teeth while you sleep. Since your jaw is connected to your teeth, it receives the pressure you exert when you grate your pearly whites together. After a whole night of scraping and clenching, it gets rather sore.
You Have a Misaligned Bite
Your jaw is picky about where and how you place your teeth at rest. Have you ever fallen asleep on the couch, and woke up to realize your neck was resting in an awkward position the entire time? Hurts, doesn’t it? It’s like that. A misaligned bite from overbite, underbite, crossbite, open bite, or plain ‘ol crooked teeth will make your jaw sit strangely and cause aches.
Your Sleeping Position Compresses Your Jaw
Where is your jaw positioned when you wake up? If you’re a side or stomach sleeper, it’s pressed against your hand or your pillow. Emphasis on pressed. Sleeping in these positions exerts pressure on your jaw, similar to a misaligned bite. In fact, your jaw is probably being forced to rest at an awkward angle. Side and stomach sleepers sometimes find comfort in unorthodox positions and can unconsciously push or ease their jaw out of alignment.
How Your Dentist Can Help
Thanks to modern dentistry, you won’t be forced to face a lifetime of miserable mornings. Occlusal splints are simple, straightforward devices that might look familiar to you. They look like mouthguards or aligners, and function similarly. They’ll protect a teeth grinder’s pearly whites from tension and keep the “mis” out of “misalignment”. Often, all it takes is 30 days of wearing the splint at night for patients to see permanent results.
Did you know that your dentist can solve your jaw problems? Not many people do. Now that you know how and why, make an appointment! Your dentist will listen to your specific symptoms and craft a treatment plan that will help take the discomfort out of your busy morning. You could be back to enjoying your breakfast in no time!
About the Author
Dr. Erin Peters sympathizes with her patients and wants to help them get back to their normal routines as soon as possible. She keeps up with the latest dental technology, so you can be sure you’re getting the best treatment available. If you or a loved one is experiencing jaw pain, call 201-641-9119 to schedule a consultation. To learn more about Dr. Peters and her practice, visit her website.