Pain in the jaw affects many people, both old and young. You may experience an ache or stiffness around your jawbone. The pain can either be mild or severe and it may affect how you go about your day. There are many reasons why you could experience jaw pain. These include grinding your teeth, toothaches, and even gum disease. Here are some of the causes:
TMJ Disorder
A major cause of pain on one side of the jaw is temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD). This disorder can affect either side of the jaw or even both. The temporomandibular joint connects your jaw and skull and contains a disk that allows for jaw movement. If this disk dislocates or if the joint experiences any damage, you will experience pain. An infection causing inflammation in the joint may also cause pain.
Oral Health Problems
Oral health problems may cause stiffness or achiness in your jaw. These include cavities, abscessed teeth, missing teeth, or misaligned teeth. When you have an infection in the gum because of poor dental care, it can also lead to jaw pain. Thus, you must take steps to ensure you maintain good oral health.
Sinusitis
Inflammation of the sinuses and nasal passages in the face can cause jaw pain. This may occur because of a cold, allergies, virus, dust, or smoke. Aside from jaw pain, a person who has sinusitis may also experience facial pain, fever, and a blocked nose.
Osteomyelitis
This is where a bone infection occurs, and it can also cause jaw pain. Osteomyelitis affects the jaw and other facial bones. The bone infection can spread from elsewhere in the body to the jaw. It can also occur because of trauma, surgery, or lack of blood flow. Aside from pain in the jaw, a person is also likely to experience fever, chills, or swelling.
Jaw pain can also be a sign of a major issue, such as a heart attack. Thus, it is always best to consult with a medical professional if you are experiencing any jaw pain. In the meantime, avoid hard foods and use an ice pack on the joint.
About | Dentist Surprise, AZ | Greenway Family Dental Our dentists Dr. Niel and Dr. Ly are not only the owners, but they are also the day-to-day managers and truly care about their team and patients. Learn more here! Greenway Family Dental, 15409 W Greenway Rd, Suite #100, Surprise, AZ 85374; (623) 500-6122; greenwayfamilydentalsurprisearizona.com; 10/7/2024; Key Phrases: dentist Surprise AZ;
Pain in the jaw affects many people, both old and young. You may experience an ache or stiffness around your jawbone. The pain can either be mild or severe and it may affect how you go about your day. There are many reasons why you could experience jaw pain. These include grinding your teeth, toothaches, and even gum disease. Here are some of the causes: