IS JAW PAIN TOOTH RELATED?

The jaw is a very important part of the face, responsible for providing the structure of the mouth and holding the teeth in place. Because of their interconnected nature, sometimes jaw pain can be confused for tooth pain, and it can be very difficult to tell the two apart.

The jaw is made up of two bones, the moveable lower (mandible) and the fixed upper (maxilla), and connective tissues and muscles. The temporomandibular joint (TMJ), where the mandible and maxilla come together, is responsible for opening and closing the mouth and can become. TMJ disorder occurs when the joint becomes irritated or inflamed and is a common occurrence. It is sometimes caused by other issues in the mouth like bruxism, but can be a result of arthritis or malocclusion.

TMJ disorder symptoms can be minor or quite severe and include pain in the jaw, neck, or ear, and difficulty when turning the head or eating. In some severe cases, patients have reported the jaw “locking” into place, making opening or closing the jaw difficult or painful.

The causes of TMJ are often due to issues with the teeth. The most common cause of TMJ is bruxism, the clenching of the jaw and grinding of the teeth. Oftentimes, bruxism is an unconscious behavior brought about by stress or anxiety, but it is very common to happen overnight as you sleep. Many sufferers of bruxism are not even aware that they grind or clench. Unattended bruxism, in addition to jaw pain, can cause the teeth to weaken as they are slowly eroded during grinding.

Malocclusion, or the misalignment of the teeth while biting, can cause jaw pain as well. When the teeth do not meet comfortably, the whole mouth and jaw structure can be put under heavy stress. In order to chew effectively, patients with a misaligned bite must move their jaw differently. The force needed to bite or chew stresses the jaw, causing discomfort which may worsen over time.

The face has an abundance of nerves, muscles, and ligaments. Because everything is connected, pain from the jaw may travel and be experienced elsewhere in the mouth or head. Known as referred pain, the radiated pain can be severe enough that it seems to be coming from the teeth, ears, or neck. Both jaw pain and tooth pain can manifest in many ways: sharp, dull, throbbing, constant, sporadic, or chronic. They are easily confused, some toothaches seem like they originate in the jaw, and some jaw aches feel like they come from a tooth.

While dental problems can cause TMJ disorder, TMJ disorder can also create dental problems. Bruxism causes the jaw to become sore, but also weakens the molars. Dental crowns or implants change the shape of your bite, putting extra strain on your jaw. Infected teeth or gums can spread if left untreated and further infect and inflame the jaw. And, of course, referred pain from one area in the mouth causes pain elsewhere.

The best way to determine if your pain originates from your jaw or your teeth is to undergo a dental examination. X-rays and an oral exam by a dental professional will help to rule out cavities or other infections in the mouth. Keep in mind that, if pain goes untreated, it may lead to the condition worsening and even the need for extraction.

Jaw pain can be tricky because the structures of the jaw, teeth, gums, muscles, and joints all influence one another. A patient may feel pain near the joint when the source is actually clenching, a cracked tooth, gum inflammation, or bite imbalance. The reverse can also happen, with a joint or muscle problem creating symptoms that feel like a toothache. That is why a focused exam is usually needed before assuming the cause.

Paying attention to patterns can help guide the diagnosis. Pain that worsens with chewing, swelling around a tooth, sensitivity to temperature, morning soreness from grinding, or clicking in the joint each point in slightly different directions. A good evaluation brings those clues together so treatment addresses the actual source rather than just the discomfort.

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