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If you've ever experienced jaw pain, you know how uncomfortable and disruptive it can be. Whether it’s a dull ache or sharp, persistent pain, dealing with it daily can affect your ability to eat, talk and even sleep. Many people struggle to pinpoint the cause of their discomfort but often, the culprit is linked to tension in the jaw and dental issues like teeth grinding. Thankfully, there’s a simple and effective dental treatment that can bring relief and improve your oral health—custom mouth guards designed specifically for jaw pain.
In this article, we’ll explore how these mouth guards work, the different types available, and why they could be the ultimate relief for your jaw pain.
What causes jaw pain?
Jaw pain can stem from several factors but one of the most common causes is stress on the temporomandibular joints (TMJ). The TMJ connects your jaw to your skull and allows for the jaw movements such as chewing, talking and yawning. When the joint or surrounding muscles become strained, it leads to pain that can extend from the jaw to the facial muscles, neck and even shoulders.
Bruxism, also known as teeth grinding, often occurs during sleep or periods of high stress. Over time, this habit wears down teeth, inflames the jaw muscles and creates tension in the TMJ, resulting in jaw joint pain.
To alleviate discomfort associated with TMJ, specialised oral appliances known as splints are frequently prescribed. These are a category of mouth guard that specifically target the correction of jaw alignment to reduce muscle tension and joint pain. These splints are designed to maintain the jaw in a position that relieves stress on the jaw joint and muscles, preventing teeth grinding and jaw clenching, which are common contributors to joint disorder and facial pain.
A boil and bite mouthguard is a popular solution for people who grind their teeth at night, often due to stress and anxiety. This guard can be formed by softening the material in hot water and then moulding it to the teeth. However, for an accurate and custom fit, custom made mouth guards from a dental clinic is often the best option.
How do mouth guards help relieve jaw pain?
Mouth guards are protective oral appliances that mainly covers the upper teeth and aims to prevent grinding of teeth. For individuals suffering from jaw pain, a custom fit dental guard provides maximum protection by:
Reducing Tension
By creating a barrier between the teeth, mouth guards prevent the teeth from touching and thus minimise the force of grinding. This reduced pressure allows the muscles in the jaw to relax, providing pain relief.
Protecting Teeth
Grinding can cause chips, cracks and tooth wear. A mouth guard absorbs the impact and protects your teeth from further tooth damage.
Aligning the Jaw
There is a specific type of mouth guard that is designed with bite stabilization features. These bite guards help position the lower jaw in an optimal position, reducing strain on the TMJ and promoting relaxation of tense muscles. This not only alleviates jaw pain but with proper care, can also improve sleep quality and overall comfort.
Preventing Further Injury
If your jaw pain is due to an injury or underlying condition, wearing a mouth guard can provide extra support to prevent exacerbation of the problem while your jaw heals.
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What are the types of mouth guards for TMJ/jaw pain?
1) Stabilisation splints
A stabilisation splint is a custom-fitted oral appliance designed specifically for patients with TMJ disorders. It is similar to a night guard or bite splint that is worn for sleep bruxism. It prevents the upper and lower teeth from coming into direct contact, therefore acting as a protective layer to reduce grinding-related stress.
Its primary function is to let the jaw align itself into a more natural position, promoting balance between the upper and lower teeth. This positioning reduces strain on the temporomandibular joint and minimises muscle tension, leading to significant pain relief over time.
2) Occlusal splints
These custom mouth guards are similar to stabilisation splints. However, they focus more on correcting the bite relationship between the upper and lower teeth. Occlusal splints work by guiding the jaw into the proper alignment, which helps relieve muscle spasms, reduce joint stress and improve overall function of the jaw. They are therefore also known as repositioning splints.
This type of splint is particularly effective for people with TMJ disorders caused by misalignment of the teeth or bite. By bringing the bite to the correct position, an occlusal splint ensures that the forces applied to the jaw during movement are distributed evenly. This helps relax overworked muscles and reduces the risk of further wear and tear on the TMJ. Patients with occlusal splints often experience improved comfort, less clicking or popping in the jaw and pain relief over time.
Consultation with a dental professional or orofacial pain specialist is crucial for choosing the right type of dental appliance, ensuring proper fit and effectively managing symptoms of TMJ disorders.
Why should I choose a custom-made mouth guard?
While over-the-counter mouth guards are cheaper and more readily available, they often don’t offer the same level of relief as custom-made ones. A poorly fitted dental guard can exacerbate acute jaw pain, cause discomfort or even slip out of place during the night. In contrast, custom mouth guards are designed specifically for your mouth, ensuring they sit perfectly against your teeth and provide the exact level of support needed.
Some mouthguards feature an anterior bite plane, which helps reduce pressure on the posterior teeth, providing relief from tension. This can act as a muscle relaxant, helping to ease jaw discomfort and prevent jaw injury.
Your dentist will assess your bite, jaw alignment and the severity of your TMJ disorder before crafting a type of mouth guard that’s right for you. While it’s a bit more of an investment, many find that the added comfort and relief make custom mouthguards worth every penny.
What are the limitations of mouth guards?
While mouth guards offer substantial benefits for individuals with acute pain, particularly related to conditions like temporomandibular disorder (TMD) and sleep bruxism, it's crucial to recognize their limitations.
Mouth guards are more of a management tool rather than a definitive cure for jaw joint disorders. It's important to note that while they can alleviate symptoms, they may not address the underlying cause of pain or dysfunction in the jaw muscles or jaw joint.
Discomfort and Adjustment Period
When first using a mouth guard, an adjustment period is common. Initial discomfort or awkwardness, as well as excessive salivation or dry mouth can occur. Custom-fitted guards typically have a shorter adjustment period compared to over-the-counter versions. Any persistent discomfort should be reported to an orofacial pain specialist.
Mouth guards for jaw pain is not a cure-all solution
Mouth guards provide maximum protection for teeth grinding and jaw clenching but they're not a solution for all jaw issues. Comprehensive dental treatment often requires physical therapy, stress management or dietary changes. Mouth guards should be part of a broader treatment plan as they don’t resolve underlying issues within the jaw or surrounding structures.
Potential for Over-Reliance
Relying solely on mouth guards can mask underlying issues like joint disorders or muscle spasms. Without further treatment or diagnosis, a long-term use and over-reliance could delay proper recovery. It's important to combine mouth guard use with other dental treatment options such as physical therapy or medical evaluations for conditions like arthritis or sleep apnea.
Conclusion
If jaw pain is disrupting your life, don’t wait for it to worsen. Custom-made mouth guards offer an accessible and effective way to manage the discomfort, protect your jaw from further damage. By using these protective devices, individuals can reduce the harmful effects of teeth grinding and promote better overall oral health.
If you’re not sure which type of mouth guard is right for you, speak with your dentist. Alternatively, a professional assessment by an orofacial pain specialist is advised if you are experiencing severe jaw pain.
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References
- Al‐Ani, Z., Gray, R. J., Davies, S. J., Sloan, P., & Glenny, A. M. (2005). Stabilization splint therapy for the treatment of temporomandibular myofascial pain: a systematic review. Journal of dental education, 69(11), 1242-1250.
- Zhang, C., Wu, J. Y., Deng, D. L., He, B. Y., Tao, Y., Niu, Y. M., & Deng, M. H. (2016). Efficacy of splint therapy for the management of temporomandibular disorders: a meta-analysis. Oncotarget, 7(51), 84043.