What is the Reason for Jaw Pain?
When you are experiencing pain in your jaw, it could be referring to a mild or dull ache or it could be on the other end of the spectrum and leave you unable to continue with your day uninterrupted. Either way, if your jaw pain persists for more than a few days, its time to make an appointment with the dentist for an exam.
No matter how intense or dull your jaw pain is, it can make your day longer and more difficult to navigate. Jaw pain that persists can make focusing on day to day tasks very tricky. But why is your jaw hurting in the first place? The answer is different depending on what is going on with your body. Its important to talk to a professional to get the best treatment plan for your condition. The jaw pain may only be one symptom of something that needs more attention.
Your jaw pain may be originating from a headache, your jaw bone, your teeth, the joint that connects your jaw to the rest of your head, or a potential infection. One of the most common reasons why people have jaw pain is a result of bruxism. You may not realize that you grind your teeth and clench your jaw while you sleep, but the pressure from clenching your jaw for hours at night can lead to soreness, broken teeth, and problems with your bite that were not there previously.
Some other reasons for your jaw pain could be:
* Arthritis
* A traumatic injury that was not promptly addressed
* Temporomandibular joint disorder
* Aggressive chewing
* Sinus infection
* Dental or tooth infection
* Tumor
* Cyst
* Stress
* Poor jaw alignment or malocclusion
* Heart attack
* Impacted wisdom teeth
* Symptoms of Jaw Pain
Most people are familiar with the discomfort after eating some difficult to chew foods or the soreness from a new tooth erupting through the gums, but other jaw pain may be difficult to pinpoint the exact cause. Making an appointment with the dentist will help treat the source of your pain. The dentist may feel your jaw for indications of swelling or lumps or the dentist may take x-rays to determine if you have damaged a tooth below the gumline. Try to note where the pain is located on your jaw and let the dentist know if it is a more throbbing pain or if it is sharp or dull. The location of the pain can help the dentist determine if it is a problem in your jaw or one that is causing pain to radiate to your jaw. Other things to mention to the dentist are any popping or clicking sounds when you open or close your jaw. The more information you share with the dentist, the better of a diagnosis the dentist can make and the more effective treatment plan to treat the cause of your jaw pain.
If you have been experiencing jaw pain that has lasted more than a few days, make an appointment with the dentist to prevent yourself any more disruptions.