Your oral health is essential to your well-being. In fact, many studies suggest that your oral health is connected to multiple facets of your physical and mental health. Therefore, you need to do what you can to keep your teeth in tip-top shape.
A common recommendation from dentists is to brush your teeth at least twice a day. Brushing your teeth helps remove food particles and plaque buildup. Plaque is a form of bacteria that can cause many dental and health issues. If you don’t remove plaque properly, it can continue to build, causing tooth decay and gum disease.
While you may be familiar with when or how to brush your teeth, you may have never considered how to choose your toothbrush. Since it is so important to your oral health, you should make sure that you get the right one.
Causes of Jaw Pain
There are several things that can cause jaw pain from stress to teeth grinding.
Bruxism or teeth grinding is a common cause of jaw pain. When you clench or grind your teeth, it puts excess stress on your jaw joint and muscles. Like any muscle group, overwork can cause soreness and pain. Plus, grinding your teeth can damage your enamel, which protects the nerves within your teeth. This can increase your sensitivity to temperatures, causing pain or discomfort in your jaw or face.
Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ) is a condition in which the jaw joint is impaired. The jaw joint is responsible for hinging the mouth open and closed. When the joint experiences damage or deformity, it cannot move efficiently without causing pain or discomfort. Popping and clicking of the joint are common symptoms of TMJ. As TMJ worsens, you can feel pain in your jaw and face.
Rest
If you have mild jaw pain, resting your jaw can help minimize your pain. Sometimes, overworking your jaw can create pain or discomfort. Eating and speaking are natural and necessary functions. However, they use muscles in order to work. It is like going to the gym and overworking any other muscle group. Rest can be the best thing for your jaw. You may want to avoid eating foods that require intense chewing, such as gum or toffee.
In addition, you can choose to ice your jaw and face to minimize your pain. Swelling and irritation can cause pain. Therefore, ice can reduce some discomfort. You can also use over-the-counter pain medication like Tylenol or Advil.
Custom Mouthguard
One service that your dentist can provide is a custom mouthguard. Once they take a mold of your teeth, your dentist can make a mouthguard that perfectly fits your mouth. If you grind your teeth at night, a mouthguard will cushion your teeth to minimize any damage. Additionally, a mouthguard will help ensure that your jaw doesn’t overwork during the night. If you can’t grind your teeth, your jaw won’t experience as much pressure.
Physical Therapy
If a simple method cannot solve your jaw pain, you may consider physical therapy. Physical therapy helps with jaw placement and movement. With physical therapy, you will train your jaw to move correctly. It is possible that a muscle imbalance is causing your pain. So, a physical therapist or other qualified professional will walk you through different exercises to strengthen your jaw muscles.
