Jaw Pain

Just like a toothache, a jaw pain can also be very daunting. It is a very common issue that can significantly impact your daily life making it difficult for you to eat your food, speak and even sleep comfortably.

There are many causes of jaw pain that can either be dental or a systemic cause.

What is Jaw Pain ?

Jaw Pain is a discomfort, pain or stiffness in the jaw area ( jaw bone ) , around the ears and the surrounding muscles and tissues.

The pain can range from a mild ache to a more severe pain and can also be due to severe Temporomandibular Joint Disorder ( TMJ ) . Jaw discomfort can even radiate to your head or neck region.

It is necessary to start the appropriate treatment as soon as you have been diagnosed with the proper cause of jaw pain.

What is the reason for jaw pain ?

There are several causes of jaw pain that you should look out for. These include :

• Temporomandibular Joint Disorder ( TMJ ) - It is a condition affecting the jaw joint and surrounding muscles leading to pain, discomfort, stiffness and difficulty to make jaw movements.

Any dysfunction in the temporomandibular joint due to injury or trauma can result in TMJ disorder.

• Dental Issues - Any kind of dental problems like tooth decay, tooth infections, dental abscesses can cause referred pain to the jaw.

Wisdom teeth often cause jaw pain when they are impacted.

Related : Impacted Wisdom Tooth Pain

• Gum Disease - Gum inflammation caused due to poor oral hygiene and periodontal diseases can radiate pain to the jaw.

• Bruxism - This refers to the unusual grinding or clenching of the teeth , usually at night. This continuous grinding of the teeth can strain the temporomandibular joint and muscles leading to pain

• Arthritis - This is due to the inflammation of joints. Osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis can affect TMJ causing pain and inflammation.

• Trauma or injury to the jaw : Physical trauma or injury to the jaw during accidents can cause fracture of the jaw or dislocation.

  This can lead to extreme pain and is, in fact, treated as a medical emergency. You require immediate medical treatment in such a case.

• Sinus problems- Inflammation of the sinuses, sinus infections and congestion can cause referred pain to the jaw.

• Mumps - It is a contagious viral infection affecting the salivary glands located behind the ears. As the salivary glands are located near the jaw, they cause jaw pain .

• Muscle Overuse : Overuse of jaw muscles from chewing and other activities can strain the muscles leading to pain .

• Nerve related issues : Conditions like Trigeminal neuralgia can cause shooting pain in the jaw and face.

  Related : Understanding Bruxism

How do you know you have jaw pain ?

There are certain symptoms that you should look out for when having jaw pain .

1. Persistent pain or tenderness in the jaw , neck or face. The pain is throbbing and you experience pain even when you try to open your mouth.

2. Jaw locking due to stiffness in the temporomandibular joint . This joint helps us to move our lower jaw during chewing , yawning or any other activities. When there is an injury to the TMJ , You may get a sensation of the jaw getting stuck or locked in open or closed position.

3. Audible clicking or popping sounds when opening or closing mouth.

4. Frequent headaches or migraines which can be due to pain radiating from the jaw.

5. Earaches because of referred pain from the jaw which can be mistaken for some other ear problems.

Why do I get jaw pain on one side

Jaw pain on one side can be an indication of Temporomandibular joint disorder or it can be due to a particular tooth on one side.

Injury to the jaw on one side can also cause unilateral jaw pain.

How to relieve jaw pain ?

Getting diagnosed with the root cause of the jaw pain is very much essential to get necessary treatments. It is advised to fix the issues causing pain.

The treatments include :

• In case of dental problems causing jaw pain, identifying whether you have tooth decay, abscessed tooth, gum or periodontal disease is essential. Taking dental treatments for the affected tooth can relieve jaw pain .

• If the jaw pain results from a trauma or injury, a surgery may be required to fix the broken jaw.

• In case of bruxism, mouth guards or splints are worn at night to prevent teeth grinding and alleviate pressure on jaws.

• If you have been diagnosed with Temporomandibular Joint Disorder , then you dentist may recommend the following treatments -

• Medications like Non - steroidal anti inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) and muscle relaxants to reduce pain and inflammation.

• Adhering to a soft diet to reduce strain on the muscles.

• Simple exercises for the jaw to strengthen jaw muscles and increase mobility.

• In severe cases, surgery may be required to fix the damaged jaw.

What can you do at home for Jaw pain ?

Home remedies for temporary relief of jaw pain :

You can try these remedies at home to soothe the pain -

• Avoid hard or chewy foods to minimize jaw movement .

• Cold or Hot compress- Apply an ice pack or warm towel to reduce inflammation

• Avoid stressing the jaw by excessive clenching , biting nails or grinding teeth .

When to see a doctor?

Jaw pain can often be managed with home remedies and self-care.

However, there are situations where it is essential to seek professional medical advice to prevent complications and address underlying issues effectively.

Here are some scenarios in which you should consider seeing a doctor for jaw pain:

• Persistent pain that lasts for more than a few days without any improvement.

• Pain associated with a swelling that does not subside.

• Jaw pain that occurs along with chest pain ( pain radiating from chest or shoulders to jaw ) could be a sign of heart attack and needs emergency medical attention.

• Broken jaw in case of trauma or injury.

How can I prevent jaw pain ?

• Visit your dentist regularly to identify and treat any dental or gum disease early on.

• Reduce stress by relaxation techniques that contribute to teeth grinding.

• Avoid opening your mouth too wide during yawning to prevent strain on jaw movements.

• Restrict frequent intake of hard and crunchy foods .

A note from smile-wide -

Most of the jaw pain is due to TemporoMandibularJoint disorders.

However, If you experience persistent or severe jaw pain despite these efforts, it is important to consult a healthcare professional for further evaluation and treatment.