Jaw pain. Causes and treatments

What is jaw pain

Jaw pain can be caused by a variety of factors, from a bone fracture to an abscessed or infected tooth. One of the most common causes is temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders. Other causes include stress, which can lead to bruxism (clenching or grinding of the teeth), wisdom teeth, gum disease, injuries, among others.

Treatment will depend on the underlying cause of the pain. Some options include medication, physical therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, surgery,… If you suffer from jaw pain, it is important that you consult your dentist to determine the cause and appropriate treatment as soon as possible.

Types of jaw pain:

As we have seen above, there are different types of jaw pain, among which the following stand out:

Headache and pain in the upper part of the jaw
Pain in the jaw but also in other areas such as the ear, neck or back.
Discomfort when chewing, yawning or talking
Joint noises
Clenching or grinding teeth while sleeping or unconsciously.

Causes of jaw pain

There are several factors that influence the onset of jaw pain, especially when it is chronic:

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Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) malfunction is one of the most common causes of jaw pain, in addition to other symptoms, and it is estimated that 1 in 8 people suffer from it.

The temporomandibular joint is the joint that, like a double hinge, connects the jaw to the skull and allows us to move our mouth up and down and sideways when we chew or speak.

On many occasions, when this joint does not work properly, in addition to jaw pain, the patient experiences headaches, neck and back pain. For this reason, TMJ pathologies are sometimes mistaken for chronic migraine or neck pain problems.

Stress is another common cause of jaw pain. It is usually associated with bruxism, the habit of clenching and grinding the teeth, especially at night, involuntarily. This creates tension and pain in the medium term, which generates overloads and contractures that can also lead to jaw, neck and head pain. In addition, it can cause severe wear to the tooth enamel, requiring reconstruction with dental caps or veneers.

Jaw pain can also be due to bite problems, such as prognathism or retrognathism, which make it very difficult for the patient to close his or her mouth properly. These pathologies are solved with a combination of maxillofacial surgery and orthodontics.

When wisdom teeth become impacted, the pressure against the jawbone and adjacent teeth can cause pain in the jaw, as well as infection, swelling and redness around the gum.

An abscess in an infected tooth (known as a phlegmon) can cause jaw pain.

Inflammation of the sinuses (sinusitis) prevents drainage of mucus, which can cause pain in the upper jaw..

Cluster headaches, one of the most painful types, can also cause jaw pain.

As you can see there are a wide variety of factors that can lead to jaw pain. When it is linked to infections, contusions or other diseases it usually disappears spontaneously, but in other cases the pain becomes chronic and it is necessary to start a treatment to solve the cause of the pain in the jaw.

Treatment of jaw pain

Jaw pain usually goes away on its own, but may be due to joint, nerve or tooth problems, among others. Once the cause of the jaw pain is known, the dentist will offer you the most appropriate treatment to solve the problem.

When there is a pathology of the TMJ, your dentist will usually prescribe an unloading splint, or myorelaxation splints or neuromuscular reprogramming, to prevent the patient from placing the muscles in states of tension.

For these splints to be effective, the patient must be sure to wear them regularly and have regular check-ups to monitor their progress.

For bruxism problems. One solution is to wear an unloading splint at night. You can also see a psychologist to treat stress or a physiotherapist to help you perform the appropriate exercises to relax the area.

Other actions that will help you improve your jaw pain:

Avoid hard foods. Eating nuts, cereals or candies that are hard and difficult to chew can cause unnecessary stress on the jaw and worsen symptoms.
Non-prescription drugs. Anti-inflammatory pain relievers, such as ibuprofen, can help relieve discomfort while reducing swelling.
Cold compresses. If you feel severe pain, apply it for 10-20 minutes and repeat if needed.
Healthy oral hygiene can help prevent the development of dental problems in the gums and teeth that lead to jaw pain.

Healthy oral hygiene can help prevent the development of dental problems in the gums and teeth that lead to jaw pain.

Some exercises that can help you to relax the jaw

As you have seen, the relationship between anxiety and jaw pain is close. To avoid accumulating tension in the joint and surrounding muscles, you can do these exercises between 5 and 10 repetitions.

Place your fist under your chin. Push up with it while pushing down with your jaw, keeping your teeth and lips slightly apart.
With the mouth open as wide as possible, but not uncomfortably, move the jaw forward and backward slowly.
When you feel tension in your mouth and want to relax your jaw, place the tip of your tongue on the roof of your mouth, touching it to your teeth.
Stretch the cervical spine: bend the neck bringing the ear towards the shoulder and hold it in that position for a few seconds. Do the exercise to the left and to the right.

If you have jaw discomfort, headache or neck pain on a regular basis, clench your teeth too much or have any other dental problem, call us at 669 154 020 and we will help you to solve the root of the problem to solve it. We attend to you in English In our dental clinic in Barcelona we have a multidisciplinary dental team that will restore your smile quickly and effectively. We attend dental emergencies in Barcelona all year round.