What is the Reason for Jaw Pain?
Jaw pain can have many interrelated causes of pain, so it will be important to see a professional. Every patient is different, and every situation can involve your teeth, gums, jaw, bones, and Temporomandibular joint. The important thing is to acknowledge the pain, and then make an appointment with the appropriate resources to assess the problem. Jaw pain can quickly evolve from a benign click or subtle pain, into a sharp and throbbing nightmare. If the underlying issue goes untreated, it may lead to a tooth extraction.
What are common causes of jaw pain?
Some common causes include:
- Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Disorder- Due to the sensitive nature of this joint, there can be many causes for TMJ disorder. It can be related to arthritis or the health of your bones. It can also be damaged by misaligned teeth or malocclusion. There could have been a recent trauma to the face or jaw which affected the joint. Imaging should be taken to assess the health of your TMJ.
- Infection- The same infections that affect cavities, gums, and roots can find their way into your jaw. This can cause jaw pain, bone density loss, TMJ disorder, or jawbone alterations.
- Stress- Stress causes us to grind our teeth, chew carelessly, and can cause inflammation due to immune system reactions. This can lead to jaw pain and malocclusion.
- Dental- The pain could actually be from a tooth, and the pain is radiating down to the jaw. TMJ pain and Dental pain in the jaw can be hard to distinguish.
There are also less common causes associated with jaw pain like a heart attack, cysts, and tumors. While these are not the most common, it is important to address the issue early and quickly once you notice it.
Considerations when seeing your healthcare professional
Have answers to these questions ready to go for your consultation:
1. Where is the pain located? How severe is the pain? Does it radiate along your jaw, or is it around one area?
2. Is there a root cause that you have considered? Were you hit in the jaw or face with something?
3. Do you have a history of TMJ disorder?
4. Do you have a history with tooth loss or dental infections?
5. Do you have any other health risks or allergies to medications?
When you see a dentist or dental surgeon, make sure you ask for scans and imaging around the area. If it is infection related, this will help you to identify the extent of infection. It will also allow the professional to see the extent of physical damage to the area.
The treatment will depend entirely on the root cause. You will be able to rule out infection if you take care of your teeth and gum health. If you follow a ritual of brushing, flossing, using mouthwash, and maintain regular visits with your dental care team, you should already be aware of any issue which would be tooth or gum related. If the issue is related to stress or teeth grinding, consider a mouthguard and taking with someone about your stress.