Pain in the jaws is considered one of the common complaints affecting millions and paralyzing other activities like eating, talking, or sleeping. Jaw pain may stigmatize a slight throbbing discomfort or a darting unbearable pain; its causes are almost always complex; identifying the precise cause is the best and most practical step toward management and treatment. The treatment of jaw pains mainly depends on the cause that brings the pain. While most cases of jaw pain respond well to conservative management approaches, some cases may suggest a severe pathology needing urgent attention, and particularly when acute and severe, an emergency dentistry visit might be required.
One of the most frequent culprits behind a sore jaw is Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ or TMD). The temporomandibular joint acts like a sliding hinge, connecting your jawbone to your skull. TMD encompasses a group of conditions affecting this joint or the muscles about jaw movement. Some symptoms may include pains in the jaw, face, ear or even neck, clicking or popping at opening or closing the mouth, less ability to open wide, and feeling that the jaw is locked or stuck. TMD is usually complicated and may involve the interaction of genetics, arthritis, jaw injury, grinding or clenching of the teeth-bruxism, stress, or malocclusion.
One other tried-and-true method of preventing a sore jaw from being called bruxism is the uncontrollable teeth grinding or clenching, mainly during sleep. The continuous pressure applied to the jaw muscles and joint leads to fatigue, pain, headaches, and sometimes damages to the teeth. Bruxism can come about because of stress and anxiety. However, sleep disorders or abnormal bite may contribute to it as well.
Yet another dental problem that expresses jaw pain is actually a toothache. A toothache, generally one associated with an infected tooth or abscess, may tend to radiate into the jaw area surrounding it. Periodontitis, a bacterial infection that damages the gums and eventually may destroy the jawbone, also can occasion quite a bit of pain. Impacted or erupting wisdom teeth often cause pain and pressure in the back of the jaw. In addition, crooked teeth can place a strain on jaw muscles as they attempt to compensate for an uneven bite.
Aside from dental and joint causes, several other conditions could lead to jaw sore. Sinus infection (sinusitis), especially that affecting the maxillary sinuses found near the jaw areas, causes referred pain in the upper jaw. Arthritis, being either osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis, can attack the temporomandibular joint, resulting in inflammation and pain. However, in rare cases, jaw pain can signal of some serious issues like one suspecting a heart attack, wherein the pain starts radiating towards the jaw, and this is usually accompanied by other hallmark symptoms like chest pain. Trigeminal neuralgia is a chronic nerve disorder that causes sudden severe facial pain, often described as electric shocks, that can affect the jaw. Injury to the jaw, such as fracture or dislocation, will definitely cause excruciating pains.
Understanding the potential causes of your sore or painful jaw is the first step toward getting relieved. If the pain is severe and sudden, with swelling and fever, or if your suspicions are pressing on a dental infection or injury, immediate dental or medical attention must be sought. Mild but persistent jaw pain calls for a health professional to get to the cause and find an appropriate treatment. Such treatment would include lifestyle changes, some pain killers, physical therapy, dental treatments, or further specialized treatments. If you continue to ignore the jaw pain, there is a chance that it will become chronic and evolve into something more serious.
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