If you unconsciously grind, gnash, or clench your teeth, you might have a condition called bruxism. While it may not seem serious, bruxism can trigger a variety of uncomfortable symptoms, including:
Earaches, neck pain, and a jaw that pops, clicks, or gets stuck are all signs of a temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder. At Virginia H. Ellis, DDS Dental Corp. in Orinda, California, Dr. Ellis specializes in diagnosing and treating TMJ problems. In this blog, she explains what TMJ disorders are along with some of the treatment options.
You have two jaw joints, one on each side of your head. Called the temporomandibular joints (TMJs), they’re hinged joints that connect your jaw with your skull and allow you to open and close your mouth to eat and speak. TMJ is also the name given to pain, stiffness, and other issues related to the joints.
If you wake up in the morning with sore teeth and an aching jaw, you may be clenching or grinding your teeth while you sleep. Not only does this cause pain, but it can also lead to tooth wear and degeneration of the jaw joint. Fortunately, there’s a solution to the problem.
Bruxism is a common sleep disorder that affects about 10% of adults and up to 15% of children. This condition involves clenching and grinding your teeth in your sleep, which can hurt your jaw muscles, teeth, and temporomandibular joints (TMJs), which are the hinge joints that connect your jawbone to your skull.
Do you wake up every morning with a headache or often feel a dull throbbing throughout the day? It could be due to a number of reasons. For example, it might happen because of the way you sleep or because you have tight neck or shoulder muscles. But, there’s another potential cause you may want to consider. It may be due to issues with your temporomandibular joints (TMJs), which connect your jaw to your skull.
Snoring is often more than just noisy breathing while you sleep. In many cases, it’s a sign you have a condition called sleep apnea, where you actually stop breathing for short periods of time. It’s a relatively common condition, affecting about 26% of adults ages 30-70. While you may not be in any immediate danger beyond disturbed sleep, apnea can have serious consequences on your health if it’s not effectively treated.
