Jaw Pain
Causes of Jaw Pain
Pain in the jaw is often attributed to the condition known as Temporomandibular Disorder (also called TMD for short.) It’s true that the TMD disorder is the underlying cause of a lot of jaw pain, but there are many other serious health problems that can cause pain in the jaw. A professional examination is highly recommended for any jaw pain that is severe and/or lasts for more than 24 hours. Serious jaw pain should not be ignored, as any tooth or jaw pain is likely indicating some kind of issue, and should be treated before the condition or pain intensifies.
Grinding of the Teeth: Overuse and Bad Bite
Grinding of the teeth can put lots of pressure on the jaws. As teeth grinding occurs most often when a person is sleeping, the surrounding muscles can be affected as well. If you suspect you are grinding your teeth you should confer with a dentist as soon as possible to find the right sort of device to inhibit the teeth grinding.
If your teeth are not aligned properly this can affect the way your teeth interact with each other and cause pain in the jaw, as well. Often referred to as ‘bite-pattern’, misalignment and/or non-alignment causes uneven wearing of the teeth, as well as jaw pain. Usually these types of bite-patterns that are misaligned are correctable with braces (or other similar type devices).
Overusing the jaw is a common joking material, but actually overuse of the jaw can be a very serious medical problem. Chewing gum often over long periods of time can actually damage the jaw area which of course can in turn cause continual pain. This might be from the amount to time the jaw is being used and/or just the actual motion of the chewing itself. Resting your jaw is usually the best solution.
The usual health conditions that are associated with pain in the jaw include grinding of the teeth, overuse, bad (or misaligned) bite pattern, infections, heart condition, and osteoarthritis. There are of course other issues that may cause jaw pain as well, such as physical injuries.
Infections That Can Cause Jaw Pain
Pressure in the sinus cavity caused by sinus infections is also a known cause of jaw pain. The pain might be caused by swelling in the sinuses and surrounding area, pressure from blocked sinuses, and/or from the sinus infection spreading into surrounding areas. Meanwhile, ear infections can also be a result of untreated sinus infections, and since ears are located close to the jaw, ear infections can also cause pain in the jaw. There are tubes in your earl located behind the jaw which can feel sore if infected, and this pain can sometimes be felt in the area around the jaw, even if it is not actually pain in the jaw itself.
Another leading cause of pain in the jaw is an accessed or infected tooth. Any kind of gum or tooth infection can easily spread and cause pain in the jaw (especially in the case of an abscessed tooth). If you are feeling any kind of pain in the jaw related to infection immediate care is advised. Untreated infections can cause serious health problems.
Disease in the Joints
People often associate osteoarthritis with knee, hip, shoulder or elbow pain.
But actually osteoarthritis can happen in any of the joints in a person’s body - including the jaw. Medical examination can help determine if your jaw pain is being caused by arthritis.
Never Ignore Dull Pain in Your Left Lower Jaw
Since heart trouble has various signs and symptoms never ignore a dull constant pain in the left side of the jaw. Similar to chest pains or arm pain experienced on the left side, heart pains can manifest in the jaw on the lower left side, and this is especially true for women. Immediate care is advised if you are experiencing any pains in the lower left jaw. And especially if you are experiencing this with any other symptoms such as chest and/or arm pains on the left side, or shortness of breath.
Other Possible Causes for Jaw Pain
Some other possible triggers for jaw pain include:
- Stress ( which can cause straining of facial muscles)
- Allergic Reactions
- Cold and/or Flu
Consult With Your Dentist
Jaw pain should be taken seriously and it is important to recognize that most pain in the jaw area indicates an additional underlying issue. Since jaw pain can a indicate heart condition, an autoimmune disorder, and injury, or infection a consultation with your dentist is advised in the even of any jaw pain. The dentist can help identify the source of the pain, and advise proper treatment and pain management; or refer you to the proper specialist if other care or treatment is needed.