What is the Reason for Jaw Pain?
Jaw pain can escalate and soar quickly from an irritating ache to a prolonged and disruptive pain.
If you are suffering from some pain in your jaw, you most likely will find simple everyday tasks harder. Talking and eating can become painful if you are dealing with jaw pain. Jaw pain can make it challenging to open your mouth and the pain can radiate into your face and head, causing earaches and headaches.
Some Causes for Your Jaw Pain
Everything around your mouth is interconnected, from your teeth to your two temporomandibular joints. There are several assorted reasons jaw pain can happen, and the origin may not even be in the jaw.
One quite common source of jaw pain is known as temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ). This issue can be the result from some trauma such as a sports injury, prolonged teeth grinding, arthritis or even your genetics.
Other causes for jaw pain include:
- You are experiencing stress or anxiety.
- An infection.
- You have poor jaw or teeth alignment, a malocclusion.
- An impacted wisdom tooth.
- Aggressive chewing habits.
- The onset of a sinus infection.
- A heart attack, especially if pain is on one side of your face.
- A tumor or a cyst.
Some Symptoms of Jaw Pain
Consistent, throbbing pain in your jaw is the most obvious symptom of jaw pain. Minor jaw pain, from just chewing something hard, will dimmish quickly and is not a concern. Throbbing pain that persists is a good reason to see your dentist soon.
The location of the jaw pain can vary depending on the cause. Your jaw pain might be on just one side. This specific jaw pain can be common following a tooth extraction, from a severe decayed tooth, or from an impacted wisdom tooth.
Jaw pain can easily spread to your ears, causing inflammation, swelling, and more pain. Jaw pain can also spread into your neck. Swelling around this part of your face can make simple actions like turning your head uncomfortable.
You should look for evidence of a popping or clicking in your jaw, around the temporomandibular joint, which is where the jawbone connects to your skull. This is a sign of TMJ disorder, which can be identified by your dentist.
Other common symptoms that accompany jaw pain are:
- Having frequent earaches, headaches, and facial swelling.
- You have developed a difficulty talking, eating, or chewing.
- Your jaw is locking open or closed.
- You have a fever or swollen lymph nodes.
Treating Your Jaw Pain at Home
Sometimes jaw pain can subside with rest. If you are beginning to have some jaw pain and it is not severe, you might alleviate the pain by taking an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory like ibuprofen.
Persistent jaw pain caused by stress can be reduced with calming techniques such as mindfulness, meditation, or yoga and addressing major stressors in your life. Reducing your caffeine can also help to remove tension.
Sudden jaw pain, from an injury, can be reduced by applying an ice pack or moist heat to the site.
Treatment at home should only be done temporarily. If you the jaw pain persists, it is in your best interests to make an appointment with your dentist for an examination and a professional solution.