Jaw pain is a common dental concern that plagues many of our patients. Whether caused by unconscious teeth grinding or clenching your muscles under high stress, jaw pain can be distracting and, in some cases, debilitating. Our team at Larsen Family Dental does not want you to have to deal with the consequences of chronic jaw pain. Here are some good remedies to try to reduce your jaw pain:
Eat Softer Foods
When you are experiencing jaw pain, avoiding crunchy foods can greatly help in keeping your mouth muscles relaxed. Additionally, you should avoid chewing gum or biting your fingernails. Sometimes people instinctively bite down on the tops of their pens while in the middle of writing something or in deep thought. Avoid doing this, as it applies extra pressure to your jaw and can further your pain.
Practice Mindfulness
It’s good to pay attention to the effects that stress has on your own body. Most people do not recognize that they have been grinding their teeth or clenching their jaw together for an extended amount of time until it causes them a great deal of pain. Practicing mindfulness during moments of high stress can help you recognize when you are clenching your jaw and will hopefully encourage you to stop doing so. We recommend taking a short break or doing some jaw exercises when you notice yourself attempting to clench your jaw together.
Consider TMJ Treatment
Sometimes jaw pain stems from issues that cannot be resolved on their own. If you are missing teeth or have a misaligned bite, these are treatable issues that can help reduce your jaw pain. Additionally, if your jaw pain stems from a teeth grinding habit, a customized nightguard can help hold your jaw in a better resting position while you sleep so you don’t wake up with a sore jaw. As a holistic dentist in Bountiful, UT, Dr. Larsen is happy to provide TMJ treatment to patients suffering from chronic jaw pain.
Schedule An Appointment
We look forward to welcoming you and your family to our Bountiful, UT office. If you are experiencing jaw pain, please schedule an appointment with our office so that we can begin coming up with a treatment plan to best meet your needs.