Jaw pain can expand and escalate rapidly from an annoying ache to a constant pain.
If you are suffering from some pain in your jaw, you may find simple daily tasks becoming more difficult. Talking and eating may become uncomfortable if you are experiencing jaw pain. Jaw pain might make it difficult to open your mouth and the pain might radiate up into your face and head, resulting in an earache or persistent headaches.
Common Causes of Your Jaw Pain
Everything surrounding your mouth is interconnected, ranging from your teeth to your two temporomandibular jaw joints. There are several causes for jaw pain, and the source may not even be in your jaw.
One frequent cause of jaw pain is known as temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ). This could be the result of some trauma, like an accident or a sports injury, or teeth clenching and grinding, arthritis, or even your genetics.
Frequent causes for jaw pain include:
* How you manage your daily anxiety and stress.
* An infection spreading from an abscess on the root of a tooth.
* An impacted wisdom tooth that needs to be extracted.
* Your chewing habits are aggressive.
* You have a poor bite alignment, or a malocclusion.
* A developing sinus infection.
* A tumor or cyst.
* A heart attack, especially if the jaw pain is on one side of the face.
Frequent Symptoms of Jaw Pain
A consistent, throbbing pain in your jaw is the foremost indicator of jaw pain. A minor jaw pain, from just the biting or chewing of something hard, will dissipate quickly and is not a concern. A persistent throbbing pain is a good reason to see your dentist soon.
The specific location of your jaw pain is also relative to the cause. Your jaw pain could be isolated to just one side. This specific jaw pain is most often from an infected tooth, or from an impacted wisdom tooth that needs to be removed.
Jaw pain can spread to your ears, causing swelling in your face, and then more pain. Jaw pain can also radiate down into your neck.
Identify and confirm if you notice a clicking or popping in your jaw, around the joint, which is where the skull and jawbone connect. This is a sign of a common TMJ disorder, which can also be identified by your dentist.
Other symptoms that can accompany jaw pain are:
* The frequency of earaches or headaches has increased, including facial swelling.
* It has become more difficult to talk, chew, or eat.
* Your jaw begins to lock open or closed.
* Your lymph nodes are swollen, and you may have a fever.
Treatment at Home for Your Jaw Pain
Sometimes jaw pain will recede and go away with some rest. If you are just starting to experience some jaw pain and it is not too severe, you can reduce the discomfort by taking an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory.
Jaw pain that is the result of stress can be diminished with calming techniques such as mindfulness, yoga, or meditation, and proactively addressing the primary stressors in your life. Regular exercise, like walking three days a week, will also reduce tension.
Sudden jaw pain, from an injury or accident, can be managed by applying an ice pack or moist heat to the area.
Treatment at home is usually temporary. If your jaw pain persists, it will be best to see your dentist for an examination.