Jaw Pain
Most people who experience pain in their jaw associate it with Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD). This disorder is the cause for many jaw issues, however, it is not always the culprit for jaw pain. Jaw pain can actually be a symptom of many other serious health issues. You should be seen by a dental professional if the pain is severe or lasts for more than 24 hours. It is important to not ignore this type of pain as there could be a serious underlying cause and needs to be treated before it becomes worse.
Grinding, Overuse and Poor Bite
Patients who grind their teeth while sleeping place extreme levels of pressure on their jaws. Because grinding typically occurs when sleeping, the other muscles which surround the jaw can also be impacted. Follow up with your dentist if you suffer from night grinding as there are devices to help protect your teeth.
The way in which your teeth interact with each can also cause pain in the jaw when they are not properly aligned. This is often referred to as your bite pattern. When this bite is misaligned, it can cause the teeth to unevenly wear and create pain in the jaw. A misaligned bite pattern can typically be corrected through braces or another device which reshapes the bite area and allows the jaws to close more naturally.
Overuse of the jaw can be a serious medical issue. For example, people who are chronic gum chewers can actually harm their jaws and experience continuous pain. This may be caused by the chewing motion or due to the amount of time that the jaw is working. This can often be resolved by simply allowing your jaw time to rest.
Some of the most common health issues associated with jaw pain include the following:
- Bad Bite
- Heart Condition
- Infection
- Over Use
- Osteoarthritis
- Teeth Grinding
Infection of the Jaw
Sinus infections can also be the source of pain in the jaw area due to the pressure it creates in the sinus cavity. The pain may be due to swelling of the sinus area, from the pressure of the sinuses being blocked, or from the infection spreading to other areas. When left untreated, sinus infections also can lead to ear infections.
Ear infections can be another common cause for experiencing jaw pain. Due to the location of the ears, any form of infection or swelling from infection can create a painful sensation in the jaw. The tubes located behind the jaw can also become sore when they are infected. While the pain is not actually in the jaw, the pain may feel as though it is in the jaw area.
Another leading cause of jaw pain is an infected or abscessed tooth. When patients have any form of a tooth or gum infection, the infection and pain can move into the jaw region. This is particularly true for abscessed teeth, no matter where they are located within the jaw.
When a patient is experiencing jaw pain which is associated with an infection, they should immediate seek medical attention. When infections are left untreated for extended periods of time, it can result in more dangerous and permanent health risks.
Joint Disease
When most people consider osteoarthritis, they typically think of people suffering from pain in joints such as their knees or hips, or perhaps the shoulders and elbows. Osteoarthritis can actually be present in any joint within the body, which includes the jaw. Your dentist can evaluate your symptoms and other indicators to determine if your jaw pain is caused by arthritis.
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