This morning I woke up with a really sore jaw. I think I may have been grinding my teeth, but am unsure. I have a history of interuppted sleep and have am wondering if that could possibly mean anything. Does anyone know how to tell if I really am grinding my teeth, or if I just have a sore jaw?
Thanks!
2007-07-21 10:23:18 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Dental
I grind my teeth at night when im stressed out. I wake up with a sore jaw and headaches. Plus my boyfriend can hear me grind my teeth. But I really couldnt tell until I went to the dentist and I told them that I have headaches that shoot down into my teeth. They looked at my bite and saw that my bite just doesnt equal up. So I had braces put on so I can stop the grinding
2007-07-21 12:12:37 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
common signs of grinding are a headache when you wake up, or that mandibular pain you say you are experiencing. If it only happens in the morning when you wake up it's a pretty good sign that you do grind. If it happens throughout the day it may be something else like TMJ. Other signs of grinding include chipping of the teeth. Examine your teeth closely, looking for small fractures on the top or along the sides. Feel with your tongue for anything sharp. Theeth should have smooth contours, except for the canines that may be pointy, but still not relatively sharp. To be on the safe side, just ask your dentist. The solution for this is a night guard. They sell them at any drug store or at wal-mart, but they are not as good as one custom made by a dentist. They will take impressions of your teeth to create stone models and fabricate a night guard, which is a hard on the outside, soft on the inside plastic protective cover for your teeth... you only need one, either for the top or for the bottom, it makes no difference. This should help you solve your problem
2007-07-21 11:15:43 · answer #2 · answered by Bear 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do you have a spouse or roommate who could tell you? The noise grinding teeth makes is terrible and they would know.
Otherwise, Dr. Albert is right. Your dentist can usually see wear patterns on your teeth caused by grinding. If you are not grinding in the daytime and have those marks then you must be grinding in the night. Putting this evidence together with your history could indicate night grinding.
2007-07-21 17:27:14 · answer #3 · answered by Picture Taker 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I grind my teeth alot at night and if I'm cold or nervous about something I grind it harder. When I wake up I have a sore jaw but my teeth also hurt. It's difficult to chew because of the pain in my teeth.
2007-07-21 10:31:50 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You very well may be. I over time (a year) you notice your two front teeth pacing apart and angling forward, that is a pretty good indication. Also the pain you say you have, watch that for about a month, and if it does not subside..you must talk with your dentist. He will then prescribe a mouth piece to wear at night. This will prevent any damage. Just pay attention to it, and if anything causes suspicion, talk with your dentist. Keep that pretty smile Chica :) Good Luck.
2007-07-21 10:33:42 · answer #5 · answered by sweetangel122089 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Next time your have a dentist checkup, ask if they could check if your teeth have signs of wearing.
My dentist noticed my molars were worn down. He suggested a mouth guard, specially made to wear while sleeping, to protect my teeth.
Best to get the custum-made mouth guard while on a dental plan. It's quite expensive
2007-07-21 21:45:45 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
bruxism is the term for teeth grinding..you can tell if your cusps (little protrusions on your molars) seem to look flat..you can ask your dentist for a night guard..
2007-07-21 13:30:25 · answer #7 · answered by J D 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
SEE A DENTIST, THE DAMAGE CAUSED BY NIGHT GRINDIND WILL BE READILY SEEN.
2007-07-21 10:49:02 · answer #8 · answered by Dr. Albert, DDS, (USA) 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋