If you suffer from tooth pain upon waking, it could be a sign of a dental or health issue, such as TMJ.
If you wake up every morning with tooth pain, it could be a sign of an underlying issue related to your general or oral health. In fact, the problem is fairly common and can be caused by a number of factors. Read on to find out more about the most common causes of tooth pain in the morning and what you should do if you are struggling…
1. Teeth grinding
If you grind your teeth at night, you likely suffer from tooth pain when you wake up in the morning. The habit, also known as bruxism, often occurs unconsciously during sleep but can also present as jaw clenching while you are awake.
If you grind your teeth, you may be experiencing several uncomfortable side effects. Besides toothache, these include headaches, earache, and jaw pain. The habit can also cause considerable wear and tear to the teeth over time. If you suspect you grind your teeth and/or clench your jaw, you should seek professional help to prevent further damage and alleviate your discomfort.
2. TMJ-related issues
The temporomandibular joint connects the jawbone to the skull on the sides of the face. When this joint becomes inflamed or irritated for any reason, it is possible to experience pain in the joint itself, as well as the face, neck, and teeth. In fact, tooth pain is one of the possible symptoms of TMJ. Other common symptoms associated with the issue include face, jaw, and ear pain, headaches, and popping or locking of the jaw.
TMJ can be caused by many factors, some of the most common of which include teeth grinding and arthritis in the jaw.
3. Oral health problems
If you are suffering from chronic tooth pain, you should see your dentist to check for underlying oral health problems. Tooth decay, for example, is a common cause of toothache and should be treated as soon as possible.
Another possible cause of tooth pain is gum disease. It can affect the gums, teeth, and underlying bone. You might notice symptoms like tender, swollen and bleeding gums along with toothache.
If you have an impacted tooth, you may feel pain in the affected area. An impacted tooth occurs when it cannot erupt fully through the gumline because of a lack of space in the mouth. It can lead to swollen and sensitive gums, as well as tooth pain that ranges from dull to intense.
If you are struggling with intense, throbbing pain, you may have a bacterial infection that has developed into a tooth abscess. A tooth abscess is characterised by a pus-filled pocket, which should be treated immediately.
4. Sinus infection
Tooth pain, especially in the upper back teeth, is sometimes caused by a sinus infection. It is because the sinuses are located just above the teeth, and in the case of infection, fluid can collect in this area and cause pressure to build. It often leads to pain in the sinuses, as well as the nearby teeth. The teeth most often affected by a sinus infection include the upper molars and premolars.
How can we help?
If you suffer from tooth pain every time you wake up, we encourage you to come in and see us so that we can determine the cause of the problem. We can then formulate a treatment plan best suited to your needs.
At TMJ Centre Melbourne, our team of dentists and chiropractors offers a range of services to keep you in good health — to find out about the full range of services we provide, please have a look here.
To chat with our team or to book an appointment, please contact us here or give us a call at (03) 9417 4038.