What to do if you wake up with a sore jaw?
What to do if you wake up with a sore jaw?
Treating Bruxism and TMJ
- Take over-the-counter pain medication for temporary relief.
- Place a cold compress on your jaw to reduce pain and swelling.
- Eat soft foods.
- Make facial relaxation a habit so your jaw stays loose.
- Massage sore jaw joints to relieve tension.
- Wear a mouth guard nightly to prevent bruxism.
Does your jaw hurt with Covid?
A physical therapist claimed that COVID-19 infections make it difficult to breathe which forces patients to use muscles in their neck to help them breathe. As a result, the neck muscles that pull on the jaw can become strained and cause pain in the jaw and neck.
Is a sore jaw a symptom of anything?
Jaw pain, which sometimes radiates to other areas of the face, is a common concern. It can develop due to sinus infections, toothaches, issues with the blood vessels or nerves, or other conditions. Most types of jaw pain result from temporomandibular joint disorder.
Can you get jaw pain from sleeping wrong?
Sleeping on the stomach or side can push the jaw back towards the skull or to the side, depending on the head position of the sleeper. This increased pressure on the jaw can intensify symptoms. Additionally, turning the head to the side while sleeping may create tension that makes TMJ worse.
Why am I waking up with lockjaw?
People with nocturnal bruxism often wake up the next morning with tightness and soreness of the jaw muscles. Bruxism over time can cause destruction of tooth enamel, the formation of gaps between teeth as teeth start to shift, and damage to the TMJ joint.
Can TMJ go away on its own?
Minor TMJ discomfort will usually go away without treatment. However, anyone with the following TMJ symptoms should consider an evaluation to prevent or avoid future issues: Constant or repeated episodes of pain or tenderness at the TMJ or in and around the ear. Discomfort or pain while chewing.
Why did I wake up with one side of my jaw hurting?
Teeth grinding (bruxism) is the most common cause of jaw pain. If you notice that your jaw only hurts in the morning when you wake up, and your jaw pain becomes less intense as the day goes on, nighttime teeth grinding is the most likely culprit. Teeth grinding can cause a lot of stress on your jaw muscles.
When should I be concerned about jaw pain?
Seek medical attention if you have persistent pain or tenderness in your jaw, or if you can’t open or close your jaw completely. Your doctor, your dentist or a TMJ specialist can discuss possible causes and treatments for your problem.
Why do I wake up with lockjaw?
Can TMJ happen overnight?
It can spread to the head, neck, and shoulders, interfere with everything we do all day, disrupt sleep, and cause problems at work. One of the most insidious things about TMJ pain is that it can come on suddenly and seemingly for no reason.
