Jaw pain can be both a mystery and a major inconvenience. If you’ve ever felt a dull ache or sharp pain in your jaw, you’re not alone. Many people experience this issue, and it can stem from a variety of issues or habits. In this article, we’ll break down the common reasons for jaw pain and what you can do to find relief. Keep reading!
What is jaw pain?
Jaw pain is an issue that affects millions of Americans, and it can manifest in various ways, including stiffness in your temporomandibular joints, aches and pains in your jaw, and pain when you open your mouth.
This discomfort can range from mild to severe, making it hard to ignore, although sometimes it can go away on its own. There are many factors that can cause jaw pain, including some very serious issues (more on this later).
What causes jaw pain?
There are multiple possible causes of jaw pain. Here are a few:
- Temporomandibular disorders (TMD): TMD are disorders of the jaw muscle, temporomandibular joints, and nerves. TMD affects nearly 10 million Americans and causes significant discomfort. It’s also one of the most common reasons for jaw pain.
- Trauma to the jaw: Trauma to the jaw can cause bruising, swelling, pain, or loose or lost teeth. Any injury or impact to the jaw, such as a blow to the face, can cause immediate pain and long-term issues.
- Cluster headaches: Cluster headaches are painful types of headaches that can cause pain around or behind your eyes which can radiate to your jaw.
- Sinus problems: Sinuses are located near the jaw joint, and if they become infected with a virus or bacteria, it can result in a lot of pain.
- Abscesses: A dental abscess is a pocket of pus around the tooth caused by a bacterial infection. This can cause jaw pain.
- Teeth grinding or clenching: Habitual grinding or clenching can affect your temporomandibular joints and muscles, causing jaw pain.
- Arthritis: Arthritis is a condition that can cause your joints to become inflamed or break down. It can also affect your temporomandibular joint and cause jaw pain.
- Chewy/hard foods: Eating too much chewy, tough, or hard food like gum, apples, ice, or jerky, can strain your jaw joints and cause later discomfort.
- Stress and anxiety: High levels of stress and anxiety can lead to tension in the jaw, resulting in pain and discomfort. It can also lead to teeth grinding, another common cause of jaw pain.
How to relieve jaw pain
Depending on the underlying cause and severity of the discomfort, there are various ways to go about managing or relieving your jaw pain. These include:
- Eating soft foods: Some dentists may recommend you stick to soft foods since this minimizes the strain on your jaw and helps reduce pain while you eat.
- Applying heat or cold to your jaw: Using a warm compress to relieve muscle tension or a cold pack to reduce inflammation can provide significant relief if you have jaw pain.
- Certain Exercises: Gentle stretching exercises can help relax and strengthen your jaw muscles. Massaging the muscles on the side of your neck can also help relieve tension.
- Medications: Some medications, like over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications, can help reduce inflammation and pain. A dentist may also prescribe muscle relaxants. Consult a dentist if you have any further questions!
- Stop triggering habits: Stopping bad habits like jaw clenching, nail biting, or teeth grinding can help you reduce jaw pain.
- Mouth guards if you grind your teeth: Wearing a custom-fitted mouth guard at night to prevent grinding your teeth can help protect your teeth and reduce jaw pain associated with grinding.
- Protecting your jaw from injury: Avoiding activities that risk jaw injury or wearing protective gear during sports can help prevent jaw trauma that can cause significant pain.
- Managing your stress: Practicing stress-reduction techniques like meditation and deep breathing and altering your lifestyle to lower stress can also help you prevent or reduce jaw pain.
Visit Dr. Ruiz & Associates, Inc for a dentist in Burbank
Jaw pain can be a mild annoyance, but it can also be debilitating. Whatever level of jaw pain you’re experiencing, a dentist can help. And if you’re looking for a dentist in Burbank to help you manage your jaw pain, come visit our office, Dr. Ruiz & Associates, Inc! Dr. Ruiz is a respected dentist, educator, and researcher who has even developed a smile design technique that dentists all around the world use. Dr. Ruiz is also known as a pioneer in supra-gingival minimally invasive dentistry, or “above the gums dentistry,” which is a healthier form of dentistry that protects soft oral tissues and produces long-lasting, beautiful results.
Learn more about our TMJ treatment and check out our Google reviews!
