Jaw pain can have many causes. It can be caused by problems in the mouth, ears, sinuses or a jaw disorder. Jaw pain often makes it difficult for the patient to speak or eat when moving or opening their mouth. The pain may increase or spread to the ear. If the pain is severe, see a doctor or specialist immediately.
Jaw pain Jaw pain can appear in many different ways. The patient may have pain on one side or both sides. Sometimes the pain may appear when chewing food or there may be a clicking sound when opening the mouth or moving the jaw. This will vary depending on the cause and there may be other symptoms such as:
- Frequent headaches or facial pain
- Jaw pain spreading to the ear area
- Makes it difficult to move or open your mouth.
- Feeling tight in the jaw area
- There is pain when pressing on the jaw.
- Severe jaw pain that occurs immediately when chewing or biting
Causes of jaw pain Jaw pain can be caused by infection, teeth grinding or grinding, etc. If the patient has previously been injured or damaged in the jaw area, such as a fractured jawbone or dislocated jaw, it may cause jaw pain. Or caused by various diseases as follows:
- Temporomandibular Joint and Muscle Disorder (TMD) is considered a major cause of jaw pain. TMD is a disorder of the jaw joint or muscle. It can be caused by teeth grinding while sleeping. It is often associated with stress, excessive chewing, and sports injuries. If the jaw joint is abnormal, it will cause pain in the face, ears, jaw, or temples. The pain is usually a dull, throbbing, or stinging pain. Sometimes, it can radiate to the neck, shoulders, and back. It is often worsened when the jaw performs functions such as chewing, yawning,talking, and when the area is pressed. It also makes a sound when opening and closing the mouth. Common jaw sounds are clicking and cracking sounds. It also restricts the ability to open the mouth. Some people may also have lockjaw or contraction of the chewing muscles.
- Coronary arterydisease . Patients with coronary artery disease may experience pain in other areas around the chest, such as the neck, back, arms, or jaw. If symptoms of acute coronary artery disease are present, pain in the left side of the chest will also occur with jaw pain. If sweating, nausea, chest tightness, or fainting occur, an ambulance should be called immediately.
- Sinusitis:Patients may have mucus or pus, which creates pressure on the jaw area because the nasal sinuses are close together, which can cause jaw pain.
- Cluster headaches or cluster headaches are often one-sided and have pain around the eyes, which can spread to the jaw.
- Trigeminal Neuralgia is a condition caused by compression of a nerve, resulting in pain in the face, including the upper and lower jaws.
- Toothache: In some cases, when the toothache is severe or the tooth is infected with abscess, the pain will spread to the jaw area.
- Injuries to the jaw joint, such as fractures or dislocations of the jaw.
- During pregnancy, relaxin is released, causing the jaw joint to relax and causing jaw pain.
Diagnosis of jaw pain
Jaw pain can have many causes, which can make it difficult for a doctor to diagnose the condition. Initially, the doctor may ask about the patient’s medical history and perform a detailed physical examination, such as listening for clicking or popping sounds when the patient moves their mouth or checking the bite to find facial muscle problems. An X-ray of the face may be needed to look for other problems, and a referral to a dentist who specializes in jaw joints may be needed for further diagnosis.
Treatment of jaw pain
Treatment depends on the cause of the symptoms found. If the symptoms are not severe and the patient only wants to relieve the pain, self-treatment may be appropriate. However, if the pain is more severe, it is advisable to see a doctor for further medical treatment.
Self-healing
Jaw pain can be treated at home with over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen.
Applying a warm compress can help relieve pain. Place a warm, wet cloth over your jaw area, but you may need to re-wet it several times to keep the cloth warm. This will help relax your jaw muscles and reduce pain. Another method is to apply a cold compress. Place ice in a plastic bag, wrap it in a cloth, and apply it to your face for about 10 minutes, alternating with a 10-minute rest each time. However, if the compress is too hot or too cold, remove it immediately, as it can burn your skin.
Facial massage is another way to relieve jaw pain. Using your thumb and middle finger, press down on the area where your ear and jaw meet. Rub in circles for about 5-10 times and slowly open your mouth. Continue doing this in circles. Sometimes it may be necessary to massage the side of your neck to relieve tension.
Medical treatment For patients with toothache, most doctors will recommend non-invasive treatment first. However, if the symptoms do not improve, the patient may need to consult a doctor about other treatments, such as:
- Mouthguards are plastic devices that are worn over both upper and lower teeth to prevent grinding of the teeth while sleeping. Although they are available at most drug stores, doctors may make new ones that fit the patient’s mouth better and can be worn for longer periods of time.
- Muscle relaxantsIf mouth guards are not effective, your doctor may use muscle relaxants to reduce jaw tension. However, this treatment is not effective for TMD patients.
- Botox injections, which can last for several months before needing another injection, can relax the jaw muscles and relieve jaw pain in people with TMD.
- Jaw surgery:This treatment is recommended only if the patient has severe jaw pain or abnormal jaw structure, which is not common.
Preventing Jaw Pain Jaw pain can be difficult to prevent, but the risk can be avoided by making certain lifestyle changes, such as:
- Avoid caffeine. Consuming coffee or tea can increase jaw muscle tension.
- Avoid foods that are difficult to chew, such as crispy, hard, and sticky foods such as beef jerky, chewing gum, and apples. These can cause excessive force on the jaw to chew, leading to discomfort or pain in the jaw.
- Reduce stress by doing activities such as writing a journal, doing yoga, or meditating to help reduce jaw clenching.
