Saturday, February 15, 2014

What Causes a Sore Jaw When You Wake in the Morning?


Stress can be caused by many different internal and external influences. Money, job and family are all potential areas that can cause stress in your daily life. Unfortunately, it can cause sleep issues and ongoing jaw joint pain as well. Some people wake up with headaches and jaw pain and have no real explanation.

Bruxism is a condition that involves the clenching and grinding of teeth. Just like snoring, the offending person usually is unaware, but can be very disturbing to their partner or spouse. The grinding of teeth can annoyingly loud or in some cases silent with no trace of "Bruxing". In these cases, the dentist may be the only one that can tell you are grinding your teeth which in turn causes your jaw pain.

Jaw issues from teeth grinding can occur at any age. Because of the constant pressure, this can lead to more serious issues with the jaw, mouth and teeth. If it goes unchecked, the result could lead to TMJ or Temporomandibular joint (the joint that connects your jaw to the skull) issues.

If you are suffering from constant earaches, toothaches or jaw pain, it could very well be due to teeth grinding during the night. There are mouth guards that can be worn to separate the teeth to protect them from damage.

If stress is a factor, a good diet and exercise regimen is typically where people need to start to focus. In times of deadlines and commitments, the diet and time taken to follow a basic exercise program is difficult to maintain but can be done if there is a commitment to health and wellness.

Meditation can be another option in stress relief. It is all about aligning your mind, body and soul together to become more relaxed and at peace with your surroundings. Finding a few minutes out of each day will help your mind become more at ease and stress-free. Signing up for a Yoga class is a great program to start with in learning to meditate and relax.

Each day, find a place that has minimal distractions and noise, like a separate conference room, a park or even your car may offer the desired environment to allow your senses to become less stimulated. Allow 5-10 minutes for each session. As you progress, the cycles may last a bit longer, but you will find that the more your sessions develop, the more refreshed and focused you will become.

In summary, jaw joint pain can be more serious if you do not pay attention to the signs and deal with the underlying stress issues. If you believe you grind your teeth, your dentist can provide more insight and recommend a course of treatment.

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