How many times have you woke up with excruciating pain at the base of your jaw? This discomfort is very problematic, since it can extend to the temple and press your head, thus producing migraines. We discover that the main cause of this constant jaw pain is usually dental bruxism, mainly caused by stress. If you think that you are part of this large number of the population that suffers daily jaw pain.
Why do I have jaw and ear pain?
Dental bruxism is an unconscious act of the body that involves clenching and / or grinding your teeth without realizing it. Usually, this condition is associated with stress, anxiety or distress, although in some cases it can also be a symptom of parasites in the body.
This act can occur both night and day, although it is true that it is usually very common during the person’s sleep hours, since the individual in question does not realize what he is doing. Most affected people find out why someone witnesses the grinding or that the dentist detects wear and tear on the teeth.
As we have said before, this jaw pain can go to the temple and cause many migraines, all due to the effort we exert. However, it may also be that the pain extends to the ear, since when bruxism is constant, the pain extends to the point of union between the upper and lower jaw, which can cause severe earaches.
Dental bruxism can appear and disappear at any time, since it is not usually a permanent problem. However, it should be kept in mind that if stress is your main cause, the most effective way to get rid of jaw pain will be to treat the root problem and get rid of the problems that cause anxiety, tension and / or anxiety.
Causes of jaw pain
The reasons why dental bruxism occurs can be diverse; however, there is a direct relationship with the psychological state of the individual. The causes that can cause jaw pain are:
- Stress and anxiety.
- Bad alignment of the teeth.
- Lack of bedtime habits.
- Night rest and problems to relax.
- Bad eating habits that may be forcing the jaw or causing parasites in the body.
- Inadequate body posture that causes pressure at the base of the neck and therefore in the jaw
The diagnosis of stress jaw pain can come in the first instance from the dentist. In a routine check-up, you can assess the condition of the teeth and their level of wear. When there are no apparent signs but the patient complains of ear, head and jaw pain, a dental x-ray may be necessary to see the complete state of the teeth. Although it seems obvious, we insist on the importance of seeing a specialist doctor in case of persistent pain in the ear, head and / or jaw to rule out that it is a major problem.
Stress Jaw Pain
People who suffer from dental bruxism usually wake up with a tight jaw and feel a lot of pain. The clenching and grinding of the teeth causes permanent wear on the teeth and even the bone that holds the teeth. At this point, the jaw can become locked or produce a loud sound when opening and closing.
As we have seen, people who tend to suffer from dental bruxism are either individuals who are going through stressful and decisive moments or have problems of anxiety and anxiety that lead them to pressure their teeth involuntarily. People affected by stress jaw pain may also experience:
- Sensitivity to very cold or very hot foods.
- Swelling of the jaw
- Muscle pain at the level of the jaw or discomfort to the touch.
- Chewing problems or pain doing so.
- Headaches or migraines.
- A lot of anguish and / or stress due to pain.
How to avoid jaw pain from stress
Although the dentist can help with the condition of the teeth and jaw, it is the person who will have to identify the reasons why he is clenching his teeth. It is not always easy to identify such discomfort, which is why if the person suffers excessive stress and / or anxiety, they should receive the opinion of a professional psychologist.
Stress jaw pain will not go away unless the basis of the problem is attacked. Otherwise, it will reappear whenever there is a situation of tension, pressure or anxiety. Some measures to avoid stress jaw pain are:
- Learn and apply relaxation techniques.
- Play sports on a daily basis that help release tension from the body.
- Establish habits and routines before bedtime.
- Avoid coffee, tobacco or chocolate about 6 hours before going to bed.
- Take care of the food.
- Increase water intake.
- Use a medically approved dental splint.
How to remove jaw pain from stress
To relieve stress jaw pain, the patient can follow these recommendations:
- Apply ice or cold gel in areas where there is pain.
- Perform gentle massages at the junction of the jaw in a circular fashion.
- Take breaths and stretch the jaw muscles. Singing is a simple and fun way to do it.
- Avoid chewing hard foods such as seeds or nuts, as well as chewing gum.
- Eat foods rich in calcium to reduce the effects of enamel wear.
- Be consistent with oral cleansing.
