Picture this: it’s another beautiful day in Winnipeg. You wake up with the sunlight streaming through your windows. The birds are chirping. The day is yours. It’s time to get started. But then, you notice something else—something not so pleasant.
When you move your mouth, you feel a shooting pain. Why are your muscles so sore? It’s as if you did a workout during your sleep!
We’re going to provide an overview of why your jaw may be sore, and what you can do to address it:
Symptoms & Signs
Is it time to seek treatment for your jaw pain? If you notice any of the following symptoms, it may be time to call up your dentist:
Swollen jaw
Do the sides of your face feel tender to the touch? If your jaw joints are strained or injured, they might be sensitive and inflamed.
Restricted jaw movement
Your jaw joints may lock up when you open your mouth. Or, you may have difficulty moving them due to pain and inflammation.
Soreness when you wake up
This is a sign that you have been clenching or grinding your teeth during your sleep.
Causes
A few conditions that cause jaw pain include:
- Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD). This condition is one of the most common reasons for jaw pain. It’s caused by many different things, from stress to bruxism. The most noticeable symptom is feeling pain on the sides of your face.
- Injury to the jaw. If your jaw is broken or dislocated, it can cause severe pain. After any mouth injury, we recommend visiting the hospital or dental office.
- You grind or clench your teeth. When you experience stress, how does your body respond? Many people react by grinding their teeth and/or clenching their jaw.
- Tooth infection. Infections can easily spread to other parts of your body. An issue with a tooth may lead to problems with your jaw or other areas, including the neck, tongue, and immune system.
- Headache. If you experience migraines or cluster headaches, the pain may be spreading from the jaw area.
- Dental surgery. Certain procedures may require you to hold your mouth open for an hour or two. After your treatment, your jaw may be sore from that strain. This pain should subside within a few hours.
Treatments
Now that you have a clearer idea of what can cause jaw pain, you’re looking for the most effective way to treat it.
At our dental clinic, we treat jaw pain in a few different ways. First, we need to establish what could be causing it. One of our dentists can examine your teeth to determine if you clench or grind them.
If your dentist discovers that you are dealing with bruxism, we can create a custom-made night guard to protect your jaw. You can wear this clear retainer at night to separate your teeth and keep your jaw relaxed.
We can also assess the movement of your jaw to see whether it is dislocated. Your dentist may determine that the cause of your jaw pain is complex. In that case, we can refer you to a specialist.
At our dental clinic, your comfort is our priority. To learn more about how our services can address your jaw pain, contact East Kildonan Dental Group's dental clinic in Winnipeg today!