My Jaw Hurts When I Wake Up - What Can I Do?

Reviewed by  Monroe Elkin, BS PHARM., DMD

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WHY DOES MY JAW HURT WHEN I WAKE UP?

There are many different reasons why your jaw may hurt when you wake up. Two of the most common causes are bruxism and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder. Using a customized, high-quality oral appliance for TMJ pain when you sleep can help to reduce the discomfort caused by (or the symptoms of) either one of these afflictions.

 

CustMbite delivers relief for sufferers of morning jaw pain with night guards designed by dentists who have decades of experience helping their patients with bruxism and TMJ. Each product has features designed for the symptoms someone is experiencing. We'll get into that more later. For now, let's talk about how bruxism and TMJ cause morning jaw pain.

WHAT IS BRUXISM?

Bruxism is defined as clenching or grinding your teeth, and it happens most often during sleep. You may also find that you tend to do so during your waking hours in response to stress. During the day, you can stop yourself from clenching and grinding your teeth, but nocturnal bruxism can't be controlled without some kind of help.

Medical experts are not sure what causes bruxism, but some of the risk factors have been determined to be:

  • Anxiety disorders
  • Allergies
  • Tobacco use
  • Consuming alcohol and caffeine
  • High stress levels caused by acute and chronic stressors
  • Trauma, both mental and physical
  • Sleep disorders, including sleep apnea

In addition to having a sore jaw in the morning, there are a few other symptoms of bruxism you might notice:

  • Worn-down teeth can indicate that you suffer from bruxism. As you grind your teeth together during the night, the enamel eventually wears down.
  • Unexplained earaches and headaches in the morning can indicate bruxism as well.
  • Tooth sensitivity to hot, cold, or sweet foods and beverages can also be a sign of bruxism.
  • Sometimes people with bruxism even wake themselves up with the pain or noise from grinding or clenching their teeth.

Another more serious cause of morning jaw pain is TMJ disorder. There are many causes of TMJ disorder, but one leading reason is untreated bruxism. In addition, TMJ disorder can be caused by a blow to the face or jaw, which can knock the joint out of alignment. Arthritis can also contribute to TMJ disorder as the cartilage in the temporomandibular joint wears down. TMJ disorder can be hereditary, so if you have family members who suffer from the condition, be on the lookout. No matter what the specific cause is, the following are the most common symptoms of TMJ disorder:

  • Swelling in the jaw area
  • Severe jaw pain and discomfort on one or both sides of the face
  • Loud snoring
  • Increased pain when you open your mouth wide, as when yawning
  • Sounds like clicking, popping, or grating when you open and close your mouth, as when chewing or talking
  • Difficulty chewing
  • Aches in the teeth, neck, and ears
  • Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) or hearing problems not explained by problems within the ear itself
  • A jaw that becomes stuck either open or closed, even for just a moment
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WHAT CAN I DO TO ALLEVIATE MY MORNING JAW PAIN?

There are two key remedies for snoring caused by TMJ or jaw pain due to bruxism or TMJ disorder. First, you can take over-the-counter pain medication like acetaminophen (Tylenol) or naproxen (Aleve). This can help dull the pain after a difficult night.

 

The second method of treatment is based on prevention. Using an oral appliance that's right for your specific situation can prevent you from needing pain medication at all by helping to alleviate the effects of TMJ-induced snoring or clenching and grinding your teeth during the night.

 

For advanced TMJ, there are more serious steps that may be required, up to and including surgery. If you have TMJ disorder, the number-one treatment recommended by dental professionals is often an oral appliance. Continue reading to learn how our products work to protect your teeth and jaw from the effects of bruxism and TMJ disorder.

WHICH CUSTMBITE PRODUCT IS RIGHT FOR TMJ JAW PAIN?

Because there are many different symptoms of TMJ, the best product for you will depend on your situation:

  • For Bruxism and TMJ: The CustMbite Nightguard
  • Do you suffer from moderate pain caused by mild TMJ-induced bruxism? Dentists will often suggest a customized nightguard. The CustMbite Nightguard is a great option for you, offering comfortable, dependable protection.
  • For Severe Teeth Grinding and TMJ: The CustMbite Hard Surface Nightguard
  • Is TMJ bruxism causing you severe pain due to intense teeth grinding? You'll want to choose an extra-durable nightguard that's up to the task. CustMbite's Hard Surface Nightguard is designed to stand up to even the heaviest bruxing.
  • For Snorers: The CustMbite Snoring System
  • If you're also a snorer, you will benefit most from using our Snoring System. The Snoring System helps to reduce snoring by moving the tongue, not the jaw. Many competing products work by forcing the jaw forward into an unnatural position, which can exacerbate TMJ jaw pain. This durable and comfortable nightguard also protects you from grinding your teeth as you sleep
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HOW CAN CUSTMBITE HELP TO PROTECT MY TEETH AND JAW?

The CustMbite family of products was developed with the help of dental professionals for your protection and comfort. Both the nightguard and the Snoring System are designed to work with your bite as-is. There's no shifting of your jaw, you can address your snoring or bruxism without making any TMJ pain worse.

 

We use our patented VistaMaxx material, which is known for being tough enough to prevent teeth clenching and grinding while also remaining thin, flexible, and comfortable to wear. VistaMaxx provides a snug, accurate fit to your teeth, even if you have braces. All CustMbite mouthpieces can be personalized with a quick and easy process, and simple instructions are included with every nightguard and Snoring System we send out.

 

Molding overnight snoring guards and bruxism guards to your teeth has two main advantages. The first is comfort — you can actually speak clearly when you're wearing your nightguard and can get a drink of water in the night without having to take it out. Second, a custom fit helps to keep your oral appliance in your mouth the entire night so you don't have to worry about it falling out.

WHERE CAN I GET A CUSTMBITE NIGHTGUARD?

If you’re looking for an affordable and effective option for nighttime protection from the effects of bruxism or TMJ disorder, the CustMbite Nightguard is exactly what you need. Order the best nightguard online today and see what a difference it can make in your life!

$49.95

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Your comfort is our highest priority.

 

Sleep comfortably with CustMbite. Bruxism and TMJ disorder, both often caused by teeth grinding or clenching during sleep, can cause many problems, including jaw discomfort, headaches, and sleep disruption.

 

With CustMbite, you can rest assured knowing that our nightguard was created specifically with your comfort in mind. Our patented Vistamaxx™ material will provide a snug and secure fit to your teeth, so not only will they be protected from grinding and clenching, you'll also sleep comfortable every night.

 

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Reviewed by:

Monroe Elkin, BS PHARM., DMD

Monroe Elkin got a Bachelors of Science in Pharmacy at Brooklyn College of Pharmacy in Brooklyn, New York. He then earned a Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry at the University of Rutgers School of Dentistry in Newark New Jersey. Dr. Elkin owned and operated his own dental practices for 29 years where he specialized in treating oral injuries for athletes, fabricated custom fitted mouth guards and performed both general and trauma dentistry for athletes at Wagner College as dentist for the athletic department. He also performed cosmetic dentistry including implants, crown and bridges, bonding and endodontics. Dr. Elkin has been a part of 3 publications and has held various positions volunteering for organizations that are about sports dentistry and oral care.