23 Nov Do You Have Jaw Pain? Here’s What May Be Causing It
Jaw pain makes it difficult to perform normal activities like talking and chewing. It’s not only uncomfortable, it can disrupt your daily life. Many things can cause jaw pain, from tooth decay to migraines. Finding out the underlying cause can help you get the treatment you need. We explain what causes jaw pain and whether you should go to a dentist or a doctor.
Four Common Causes of Jaw Pain
1: Arthritis
Osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and juvenile arthritis can all cause jaw pain. Arthritis affects the joints and the connective tissues around them, including the jaw and temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Along with jaw pain, it can be characterized by swelling, pain, redness, and decreased range of motion in other joints throughout the body.
2: Tooth Decay
When tooth decay spreads to the root it can lead to infections in the tissue around the jaw and in the jawbone itself. This causes swelling and pain around the jaw. Symptoms of tooth decay include discolored teeth, plaque and tartar buildup, tooth sensitivity or pain, bad breath, and discomfort when eating.
3: Teeth Grinding
Bruxism is another leading cause of jaw pain. When you clench your jaw or grind your teeth together, it puts unnecessary pressure on the jaw muscles. It can lead to soreness, pain, tooth damage, and even damage to the jaw joints and tendons. Symptoms include clicking sounds when opening or closing your mouth, tooth sensitivity when biting down, jaw pain, headaches and earaches, and disturbed sleep.
4: Migraines
If you experience frequent headaches or migraines this could be the cause of your jaw pain. The trigeminal nerve is a large nerve that is responsible for sending sensory information from the face, neck, and head to the brain. It also provides the information your body needs to chew, which is where the connection between jaw pain and migraines comes in. Untreated migraine headaches can lead to pain in the jaw because of this nerve being overworked, and vice versa.
Dentist or Doctor? Where to Go for Jaw Pain
It can be difficult to know if you should go to a medical doctor or a dentist. But one thing you should never do is “grin and bear it” at home. Problems like bruxism can cause permanent damage if you don’t seek treatment.
Pain is your body’s way of notifying you there is something wrong. Getting help is the first step to feeling better! Extreme pain that leaves you unable to eat, drink, talk, or function should be seen to right away. If your doctor cannot see you the same day, you might need to go to urgent care or the ER.
If the pain is manageable, you can make a regular dental or medical appointment.
While you wait for your exam, there are a couple of things you can do to manage the pain without medications.
- Rest your jaw. Limit the amount of times you have to open your mouth. This can include talking less, drinking liquids through a straw, switching to soft foods, and avoiding things like chewing gum or biting your nails.
- Alternate heat and cold. Alternating hot and cold compresses several times a day can help relieve pain and swelling.
Wondering What’s Causing Your Jaw Pain? Make a Dental Appointment in Prescott, Arizona
Tooth decay, dental abscesses, bruxism, TMJ disorders and gum disease can all cause jaw pain. The good news is that a qualified dentist can treat all of these problems. If you are experiencing jaw pain, please make an appointment at Hicks Dental Group. Our compassionate dentists and friendly support staff are here to help put a smile back on your face. Contact us today to schedule a dental exam.
Images used under creative commons license – commercial use (11/22/24). Photo by engin akyurt on Unsplash.