Jaw Pain

When most people experience jaw pain, their first thought is that it may be TMD or Temporomandibular Disorder. In reality, there are many possible causes of jaw pain and the pain can be a symptom of many other serious health issues. If you have jaw pain that lasts more than 24 hours or is severe you should contact a dentist and schedule an appointment today.

Possible Causes of Jaw Pain

There are many possible causes of jaw pain. To help you rule out a few that don’t apply to you, review the following causes:

  • Teeth Grinding: People who grind their teeth when they sleep put excessive amount of pressure on their jaws through grinding. This grinding also affects the other muscles surrounding the jaw. If you regularly wake up feeling a sore jaw, you should have a conversation with your dentist. Your dentist will have information on treatment options, including devices that can help you stop grinding.
  • Bad Bite: When teeth are not aligned properly it can also cause pain in the jaw. Often referred to as the bite pattern, misalignment can cause teeth to wear unevenly. This uneven wear can lead to jaw pain. Misaligned bite patterns can be treated with braces or similar devices designed to reshape the bite pattern. Once treated the jaw pain will start to go away.
  • Overuse: It may be funny to joke about, but it is possible to overuse the jaw. Excessive gum chewing or other chewing habits can result in damage to the jaw and constant pain. Fortunately, overuse can easily be fixed by resting the jaw.
  • Infections: There are some infections that can result in jaw pain. Sinus infections can create pressure in the sinus cavity. Ear infections are another possible cause of jaw pain because of the location of the ears. An infected or abscessed tooth can also result in a great deal of pain. If you are experiencing jaw pain that is possibly connected to an infection you should seek immediate medical care because untreated infections can lead to more dangerous risks.
  • Joint Diseases: When people hear the word “osteoarthritis” they usually think of pain in the knees or hips. In reality, osteoarthritis can set into any joint in the body, including the jaw. If you contact your dentist about jaw pain, they will help you determine if the pain you are experiencing in your jaw is due to arthritis or one of the many other possible causes.
  • Heart condition: While it is not common, a dull constant pain in the lower left side of the jaw may be an indication of a heart problem. Similar to the chest pains on the left side and in the left arm, heart pains often show in the lower left jaw. If you are experiencing pain in your lower left jaw, especially if it is along with other heart problems such as shortness of breath or pains in your chest, you should seek immediate medical attention.

The most important thing to understand is that most jaw pain is a symptom of another, potentially serious, underlying medical condition. Jaw pain maybe a sign of an infection, injury, or heart condition. A dentist can help you determine the cause and figure out the right treatment plan for you.

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