TMJ Dentist Norfolk

Waking with Sore Teeth

Waking up in the morning with sore teeth is a classic sign of temporomandibular disorder (TMJ/TMD). When the teeth do not fit together properly (occlusion) your body will subconsciously want to put the bite in a position that it finds most comfortable. As a result of the incorrect bite, the jaw will slide from the comfortable position to the “bad bite” position. Many times the teeth will be together when this occurs causing the teeth to grind or clench. The dental term for grinding teeth is bruxism. Many patients subconsciously grind their teeth at night. This chronic clenching and grinding irritate the ligaments that hold the teeth in the jaw. The irritation many times causes pain and increased sensitivity to hot and cold liquids and foods.

It is not uncommon for a patient to think they have an infected tooth needing a root canal because the pain is so severe. A properly trained dentist in Neuromuscular Dentistry and occlusion (the bite) can identify the cause of the pain and discomfort and suggest the appropriate course of treatment.

Dr. Carol F. Morgan, DDS and her team can help your pain associated with TMJ disorders whether you live in Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Chesapeake, Suffolk, Hampton, Newport News, York County, Williamsburg or any other surrounding city in Hampton Roads.