WHAT IS THE REASON FOR JAW PAIN?
Jaw pain can range from minor soreness to debilitating pain that radiates far from the origin site. Everyday tasks such as eating and talking can become very difficult or impossible without pain. Unless dealt with quickly, jaw pain can escalate and become a major problem.
WHAT CAUSES JAW PAIN?
There are many reasons for your jaw to ache or throb. The jaw, while a relatively simple body system, is connected to the rest of the mouth, and so the cause for jaw pain may not be limited to the jaw itself. Oftentimes jaw pain is the result of other issues in the mouth.
One of the most common causes of jaw pain is from TMJ (temporomandibular joint disorder). TMJ is usually caused by bruxism (teeth grinding), arthritis, or traumatic injury to the mouth or face.
Other common causes include heavy chewing (sometimes causing fractured or broken teeth), malocclusion (unaligned bite), dental infection, stress or anxiety, and sinus infection. In rarer cases, impacted wisdom teeth, heart issues, and tumors or other cysts may be responsible for your jaw pain.
SYMPTOMS OF JAW PAIN
The most common manifestation of jaw pain is a persistent throbbing in the area of the jaw, though sometimes the pain is sharp and happens while biting or chewing. In less serious cases, such as biting down too hard on food or utensils, the pain may persist for a few hours and then subside. While it may come on slowly, if the pain persists for more than a day or two you should seek treatment from a dental professional.
The location of the pain may be an indicator that something else is at issue. Jaw pain will often occur where teeth have been affected by something, like a recent injury, tooth extraction, or an impacted wisdom tooth.
Jaw pain can also spread upwards or downwards, causing inflammation resulting in earaches or neck pain. This inflammation can cause serious discomfort when turning your head or laying down on a pillow.
Popping or clicking in the jaw or around the temporomandibular joint (the area beneath the cheekbones and near the temples, where your jawbone connects to your skull) is a common symptom of jaw pain. This may be a sign of TMJ disorder.
Other common symptoms include difficulty talking, chewing, and eating, the jaw locking open or closed, earaches, headaches, and facial swelling, swollen lymph nodes, and fever.
TREATING JAW PAIN AT HOME
Minor cases of jaw pain will heal on their own with time. The first step you should take when you first experience jaw pain is to take over the counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen to help minimize the inflammation. Salt water rinses can also help to alleviate the swelling inside the mouth.
Chronic pain is often caused by bodily stress, and so reducing your stress levels may help relieve jaw pain. While not an immediate solution, calming techniques like meditation and yoga can help you to achieve a calm demeanor. Slowing down will help you to relax and enjoy life. Too much caffeine can also cause stress, so reducing your intake will also likely help.
If your pain lasts for more than a day or two, contact your dentist right away. Treatment at home should only be a temporary fix. If you are experiencing severe chronic pain, it is imperative to consult with a dental health professional.