Grinding teeth
Grinding teeth guide
If you find yourself waking up in the morning with an aching jaw, facial pain or frequent headaches, the problem may be due to grinding teeth while you sleep. Jaw clenching and grinding of teeth (a condition known as bruxism) at night is a common reaction to stress or anxiety; you may even do this while you are awake without being aware of it. If you grind teeth habitually, whether at night or during your waking hours, you may end up with what is known in the medical field as temporomandibular joint disorder, or TMJ. TMJ is caused by stress on the jaw joint and inflammation of the surrounding tissue. Patients with this disorder may experience headaches, pain in the facial area, ear aches, and soreness or stiffness of the jaw. TMJ may also cause clicking sounds in the jaw, or you may have difficulty opening your mouth fully. In some cases, opening your mouth wide (in order to yawn, for example), your jaw may temporarily lock in place. If you have chronic pain in your jaw, it is recommended that you see your dentist. TMJ can be diagnosed by a physical exam, where your dentist will palpate your jaw joints; in some cases, an MRI may be useful to detect inflamed tissue. While this condition can cause a great deal of discomfort, treatment is fairly simple and straightforward; by learning to be aware when you are clenching your teeth, you can train yourself to relax your jaw and prevent TMJ from recurring.
How can I prevent teeth grinding mouth pain? In order to prevent sore jaws, you will need to learn to relax your jaw. Whenever you become conscious of clenching your mouth, relax your jaw with your mouth slightly open. Find ways to manage your stress, so that you are not frequently grinding your teeth. An overnight mouth guard can be useful to prevent grinding teeth night problems while you sleep and help to alleviate jaw pain.
What is the best way to stop teeth grinding permanently? Stress management and relaxation techniques are the best way to help your body cope with daily stress and stop yourself from clenching your jaw. You should also avoid hard foods and gum chewing, which can cause pain in the jaw joint as well. If you are not sure whether you grind your teeth at night, your dentist can tell by examining the surfaces of your teeth.
What are the common methods for treating TMJ? Treatment for TMJ is fairly straightforward. You may use hot or cold compresses, and anti-inflammatories such as ibuprofen are helpful for reducing swelling and easing the pain. If you have constant pain from grinding teeth, try to learn to stop yourself from clenching your jaw while you are awake, and find a way to help yourself deal with stress.