All You Need to Know About Jaw Pain
Jaw pain is a very common problem. Millions of people around the world suffer from this issue. There is no one cause of jaw pain. Treatment of this condition depends on the cause of the problem. Today, we will discuss everything from causes to the prevention of jaw pain.
What Are the Causes of Jaw Pain?
There are several reasons why you might be suffering from jaw pain. Some people might have them due to a physical injury, while others may suffer from a blood vessel or nerve problems.
The most common cause of this condition is due to a disorder called temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ). 12 percent of the world’s population suffers from this condition. This disorder is most common in women of childbearing age.
Some of the other reasons why you might have jaw pain include dental conditions, sinus problems, arthritis, teeth clenching or grinding, osteomyelitis, vascular pain, neuropathic pain, and rheumatoid arthritis. Lifestyle-related factors like tiredness, lack of certain nutrients, sleep disturbances, or emotional stress can also trigger jaw pain.
What Are the Symptoms of Jaw Pain?
Following are the symptoms of jaw pain:
- Limited range of motion
- Jaw alignment issues
- Facial pain
- Earaches
- Popping or clicking sounds when you close or open your jaw
- Ringing in the ears
- Jaw locking
- Sharp stabbing pains or dull aching
- Vertigo
- Dizziness
- A toothache
- Facial swelling
If you have any of these symptoms, you should seek medical care. Left untreated, this condition can exaggerate and cause you more pain and suffering. You can visit your dentist or an oral surgeon, who will diagnose the cause of the problem.
How is Jaw Pain Diagnosed?
You will need to undergo several tests to confirm the cause of jaw pain. Some of the tests your dentist or doctor may perform are:
- Complete pain and medical history
- Certain laboratory tests
- Physical exam
- Radiology images including MRI or X-ray
- Psychiatric and psychological screening
What Are the Treatment Options for Jaw Pain?
Treatment of this condition depends on its cause. Following are some of the possible treatment options your doctor or dentist might adopt:
- Antibiotics – this treatment us used for infection-based jaw pain
- Surgery – this treatment option is used to treat the affected nerve or remove the damaged bone
- Use of mouth guard
- Physical therapy
- Muscle relaxants
- Antidepressants
- Topical capsaicin
- Steroid injections – this treatment is used to decrease swelling or inflammation
- Pain medication
- Root canal treatment
- Tooth extraction
- Relaxation therapy
- Acupuncture or massage therapy
Preventive Measure
Once you know what triggers your pain, you can prevent it from returning. Following are some basic preventive measures used by people suffering from jaw pain:
- Avoid chewing hard things like ice
- Avoid chewing nails or any crunchy food
- Eating liquid or soft foods like pasta for soup
- Avoiding caffeine
- Trying aerobics, meditation, or massage
- Avoid grinding teeth
- Seeking regular dental care
Your dentist can tell you other preventive measures to make sure your jaw pain does not return and cause you inconvenience. If you are looking for a dentist, give Dr. Apsey of Smile Brightly of Warren, MI a call today! We can we reached at 586-573-7700! Call today!