What Causes Jaw Pain?
If you have unexplained pain in your jaw, a common culprit is bruxism — also known as teeth grinding. Certain people sometimes grind their teeth while they sleep, waking up to pain in their jaw, headaches, and other maladies. Others may even grind their teeth or clench their jaw when they are awake without realizing it.
But what is the cause behind grinding your teeth? There can be a number of reasons for it, including:
Why Does Teeth Grinding Need to Be Addressed?
If there are ever any dental issues that cause you pain, it is important to address it. The quality of your life matters, and if you have to deal with constant pain, it can affect much more than the state of your mood. The side effects of teeth grinding that goes unaddressed can be serious, so it is essential to start the path to a solution as soon as you notice that you might have an issue with bruxism.
Some side effects include:
How Can Centerburg Dental Help with Jaw Pain and Grinding?
The team at Centerburg Dental wants to help keep you healthy and happy. Coping with constant jaw pain caused by teeth grinding can wear on you, especially as you deal with your everyday career and family responsibilities. We can offer options beyond taking pain medication daily to deal with your jaw pain.
Nightguards are some of the best options to address the immediate problems that teeth grinding can cause. Nightguards are soft plastic guards that you wear in your mouth. Their purpose is to cushion your upper teeth and bottom teeth when they come together in bruxism. Softening the blow from teeth grinding has the immediate benefit of warding off the kind of pain a person can come to expect waking up every morning after a long night of grinding their teeth.
Nightguards are fitted especially for your mouth, meaning that they will be comfortable to wear when sleeping. They are also simple to take care of. Much like retainers, you clean them before and after each use with your regular toothbrush and toothpaste. Store them in a hard container, especially when traveling, so they can be sure to hold their shape. Avoid leaving your night guard in sunny places or in hot water, as either situation can affect the way it fits in your mouth. When you come in for your regular appointments at Centerburg Dental, bring your night guard along so that we can check for wear and whether your guard needs to be replaced.
Questions about what’s causing your jaw pain? We’re here to help. Call our office at 740-480-8162 to set up a consultation.