6 Reasons You Woke Up With Jaw Pain And How To Prevent It

  references
  
      Cleveland Clinic: “Waking Up With a Sore Jaw? You May Be Grinding Your Teeth”
    
      Mayo Clinic: “Sleep Apnea”

Is this an emergency? If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, please see the National Library of Medicine’s list of signs you need emergency medical attention or call 911.

If you're waking up with jaw pain on one side, your sleeping position might be to blame.

Image Credit: AndreyPopov/iStock/GettyImages

Grinding
Sleep Position
Exercise Routine
Sleep Apnea
Diet
TMJ Disorder

Fix it: While it’s nearly impossible to stop something you do involuntarily, there are strategies to safeguard your mouth from pain. “Simple night guards can sometimes be used to protect the teeth,” Dr. Ratner says. “However, if the bite position problem is more severe, and you are having very intense or long-lasting pain, a more detailed evaluation by your dentist is probably in order,” Dr. Ratner says. “Your dentist may make you an appliance that helps put your jaw in a better position to take the strain off your teeth and muscles." Additionally, keeping your stress level in check is also important, as stress can worsen bruxism, Dr. Ratner says.

“Simple night guards can sometimes be used to protect the teeth,” Dr. Ratner says.

“However, if the bite position problem is more severe, and you are having very intense or long-lasting pain, a more detailed evaluation by your dentist is probably in order,” Dr. Ratner says. “Your dentist may make you an appliance that helps put your jaw in a better position to take the strain off your teeth and muscles."

Additionally, keeping your stress level in check is also important, as stress can worsen bruxism, Dr. Ratner says.

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Fix it: If you clench during exercise, see your dentist who can fit you for a custom mouthguard, Dr. Ratner says. And while you can also purchase a mouthguard at the local drugstore, it might not be as effective. “Be careful with those ‘boil and bite’ mouthguards,” Dr. Ratner says. “Sometimes they can put your jaw into a position that actually hurts more than helps."

And while you can also purchase a mouthguard at the local drugstore, it might not be as effective. “Be careful with those ‘boil and bite’ mouthguards,” Dr. Ratner says. “Sometimes they can put your jaw into a position that actually hurts more than helps."

Fix it: If you suspect sleep apnea is the source of your morning jaw pain, see a sleep physician who can properly assess and diagnose you. For those dealing with this sleep disorder, “there are solutions that can help you breathe during the night,” Dr. Ratner says. “Among them is a dental appliance that helps keep the lower jaw forward and the airway open,” he says.

For those dealing with this sleep disorder, “there are solutions that can help you breathe during the night,” Dr. Ratner says. “Among them is a dental appliance that helps keep the lower jaw forward and the airway open,” he says.

Fix it: “A simple solution to these problems is to avoid these foods and drinks prior to sleep,” Dr. Ratner says. That means cut down on caffeine and cocktails several hours before bedtime, which is a smart strategy for getting quality sleep overall.

Fix it: If you believe your jaw pain is related to a TMJ disorder, consult with a TMJ specialist who can perform a detailed analysis of your bite, teeth and surrounding muscles, Dr. Ratner says. “Treatment can range from a simple mouthguard and/or stress management to more involved therapy with jaw positioning orthotics or pharmaceutical solutions,” he says.

“Treatment can range from a simple mouthguard and/or stress management to more involved therapy with jaw positioning orthotics or pharmaceutical solutions,” he says.

      Cleveland Clinic: “Waking Up With a Sore Jaw? You May Be Grinding Your Teeth”
    
      Mayo Clinic: “Sleep Apnea”