Trouble Eating or Difficulty Chewing
If you have recently started experiencing trouble eating or difficulty chewing, there are several causes that may be to blame. Whatever the cause, trouble with eating or chewing is often accompanied by other symptoms that can help your dentist determine the possible cause. If you have trouble eating or chewing you should contact your dentist or medical professional to help you determine the cause of your recent trouble and discomfort. Below is more information to get you started.
Possible Causes of Pain with Eating and Chewing
If you have recently experienced pain with eating or chewing, there are many possible causes of this discomfort. Some possible causes include:
- Osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis in the jaw muscle
- The unconscious effect of tooth grinding or clenching
- Dry mouth
- Gum disease and tooth decay
- Infections in the mouth
- Hidden damage in one or more teeth or the gums
Related Symptoms Can Help Identify the Problem
Because there are many possible causes of pain or discomfort while eating and chewing, it can be a little difficult to determine the cause of your pain. Fortunately, other symptoms often accompany chewing difficulties, and these can be used to help your doctor or dentist determine the cause of your discomfort. For example, a strange or bad taste in the mouth is a common sign of a developing dental condition. An earache, tenderness in the jaw, or a headache are all additional symptoms that often occur with pain or discomfort while chewing. A more serious symptom that is common with chewing is rapid or unexpected weight loss. In the most extreme cases, individuals who have chewing difficulty also have trouble with swallowing as well.
What to Do If You Experience Pain When You Chew
If you have difficulty or pain when chewing, especially if you notice you also have started to have trouble swallowing, you should call a medical professional as soon as possible. Although there are many non-serious potential causes to blame for difficulty chewing, a visit with a medical professional is important to rule out any of the more serious underlying causes. Your doctor or dentist will conduct a gastrointestinal system exam and look for any potential neuromuscular disorders. They may also need to take X-rays or use other radioactive dyes to help identify the source of the problem. If you visit your dentist, they will conduct a comprehensive dental exam to look for oral infections and latent damage in the teeth. Depending on what they determine to be the underlying cause, your medical professional may decide to refer you to a speech pathologist or occupational therapist as a part of a treatment plan. Until you have an answer and your discomfort with chewing and eating is resolved, you can try to minimize your discomfort by sticking to soft foods and drinking plenty of fluids. It is also recommended that you maintain a nutritional well-balanced diet and supplement your diet with protein shakes or medication as prescribed by your dentist or primary care provider.
More on Oral Health : Hiding Your Smile