Discomfort in the jaw is generally described as throbbing, uncomfortable pain. It can flare up at any time and is usually due to toothache. It usually starts off mild before becoming more severe and is a common problem that affects many people. There are a lot of causes of jaw pain and it can be challenging to diagnose and treat.
Causes Of Jaw Pain
The following are common causes of jaw pain:
- Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ) – TMJ affects the temporomandibular joint of the jaw. When you move your mouth, this disorder typically causes the jaw to make a clicking sound when you attempt to open the mouth to speak or chew on food. There is also a chance the jaw can stay stuck in a position whilst you open or close your mouth.
- Teeth Grinding – Teeth Grinding has known to cause severe damage to your teeth. Also known as Bruxism, the disorder typically occurs during sleep. It is not associated with chewing but is where the upper and lower roof of teeth gradually grind together. This may be due to stress and anxiety. It is something that you’re only aware of at a dentist appointment, or when you wake up and notice cosmetic damage to the teeth. It must be treated early as it can cause further dental issues.
- Tooth Abscess – The dental pulp or nerve has become affected, which is the reason for tooth abscess. If the cavity hasn’t been treated for a long time, this is when abscess flairs up. The bacteria may spread from the tooth root and affects bone tissue, causing pain in your jaw. Book regular appointments with the dentist to avoid this from happening so they can advise on tips to avoid.
- Osteomyelitis – Osteomyelitis is a condition that affects the body due to an infection. The bloodstream becomes infected causing pain to bone and tissue. When experiencing this, you’ll experience jaw pain and catch a fever. With antibiotics and surgery, the weak and dead bones are removed and are easily curable.
Read here on how to manage your jaw activity if you’re a root canal patient.
Jaw Pain Remedies
There are some effective pain relief remedies that can reduce the pain altogether, should you have minor pain or cannot get an immediate appointment.
- Apply A Heat Or Ice Pack – Use a pack of peas or ice wrapped up in a bag and apply to the face for 10 minutes at a time. You may also use apply warm water on a damp cloth and hold it to the jaw area.
- Massage The Joint – The sore jaw areas should be pressed at the two points where the joint meets next to the ear. Use 5 to 10 rotations in a circular motion to relieve the tension.
- Stress Reduction – Jaw pain can be caused by stress. Therefore, perform yoga or meditation to relieve stress.
- Reduce Your Chewy Foods – The jaw muscles can become outworked if regularly chewed down on foods that are difficult to break down. Add softer and lighter foods to your diet to relax the jaws a little.
If you’re experiencing jaw pain and are unsure what the cause of it is, seek assistance with our helpful, experienced dental team at Ashfield Family Dental. Contact us here now.