Information on Jaw Pain

Jaw pain may be caused by a variety of conditions that are related to bone and joint problems, dental issues, infections and injuries. In some cases, the pain is constant and in others pain occurs only when chewing, biting or otherwise moveming the jaw.

Causes

• Some of the more common causes of jaw pain can include a broken jaw or other jaw injury, temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ), arthritis, jaw alignment, swollen jaw glands, dental surgery, extraction of wisdom teeth, sinus or ear infections, angina, heart attack, bruxism (grinding and clenching your teeth), toothache, cavity or abscess, migraine or cluster headaches, nail biting, jaw cyst or jaw tumor.

Symptoms

• Symptoms of jaw pain may include headaches, soreness and pain in the joint of your jaw and your facial muscles, a clicking sound in your jaw joint, difficulty chewing, problems opening and closing your jaw including the joint becoming "locked," problems opening your mouth wide, grinding your teeth, ringing ears and your teeth not fitting together correctly.

Diagnosis

• Your dentist can diagnose the cause of your jaw pain by examination and by taking X-rays as needed. Some conditions, such as a toothache, sinus problem or periodontal disease, are diagnosed easily. However, problems related to the jaw itself, the joint or the muscles in your face can be more difficult to determine. He may need to take a cast of your teeth to check your bite, order X-rays of your temporomandibular joints and in some cases, refer you to a dental specialist. Your doctor can diagnosis and treat any medical conditions that may be causing your pain.

Treatment

• Treatment of jaw pain begins with treating the condition that is causing it. For example, if it is due to bruxism, you may be fitted for a plastic night guard to protect your teeth and jaw from grinding. A neuromuscular dentist can realign your bite to eliminate the pain from TMJ. Dental repair may be necessary for tooth problems. Infections are treated with antibiotics and if you are having problems with your facial muscles, your dentist may prescribe a muscle relaxant. For mild jaw pain, you can use acetaminophen or ibuprofen.

Home Remedies

• Home remedies include hot towels applied to your jaw muscles for 15-minute intervals. Applications of ice packs for 15 minutes at a time can also relieve the pain and it may be helpful to alternate between hot and cold to relax your jaw muscles. Massage the jaw muscles by gently kneading them. Very warm water with a pinch of salt for gargling several times a day may relax your jaw muscles and nerves. Avoid foods that require a great deal of chewing and those that necessitate opening your mouth widely.

Warning

• Home remedies and the use of pain relievers are recommended only as temporary measures until you can see your dentist to have your condition diagnosed and treated. You should only continue using home treatments as advised by your dentist.