Are you experiencing pain or discomfort in your cheeks? If yes, then it could be a serious issue that needs quick resolution. Many people often ignore cheeks pain and don’t pay much attention. However, occasional pain that you may feel in your cheeks can be a result of:
- A sinus infection,
- A tooth abscess,
- Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMD),
- Periodontal disease,
- A nerve condition, or
- Any other medical conditions.
So, if you are experiencing severe pain in your cheeks, it is advisable to consult the best dentist in Roswell GA as he/she can easily determine the underlying cause and help you with the right treatment.
Key causes of cheek pain
Sometimes, you might feel slight pain or a sharp ache in your cheeks, creating a lot of discomfort. This discomfort is often a sign that something wrong is going on within your body that is causing pain. Let’s look at some of the key causes of cheeks pain, have a look:
Sinus infection:
In case, you are suffering from a sinus infection that is causing inflammation or swelling in the tissues of your sinuses, then you are likely to feel pain in your cheeks. This happens because the upper cheeks and your maxillary sinuses are right around the same area. Sinuses are simply the air-filled cavity near your nose. If it gets infected, it leads to a runny nose, headache, nasal congestion, and pain in your face that can be felt in their cheeks and teeth as well.
To treat a sinus infection, it is advisable to take antibiotics prescribed by your doctor. You may also try using Over-The-Counter (OTC), cold and allergy medication, and nasal saline to get instant relief.
Tooth abscess:
A tooth abscess is an infection around your tooth that creates a pocket of pus from a bacterial infection. This infection can cause swelling that can spread all over the cheek or jaw line area. A dentist can easily determine the type of tooth abscess infection you have and accordingly suggest the best treatment to treat the infection.
Some of the most common treatment options include root canal or incision, and tooth extraction to help treat the pus.
Teeth grinding:
People who grind or clench their teeth frequently may also experience pain in their cheeks. Teeth grinding, also known as bruxism results in cheek pain as:
- People who habitually clench and grind their teeth, often end up grabbing and chewing their cheeks.
- Grinding your teeth leads to overworking the muscles under your cheeks. When you grind or clench your teeth, the muscles also work, leading to overworking. This overworking of muscle can become painful.
The best treatment option that your doctor may suggest to stop or relieve the symptoms of teeth grinding is getting a night guard. Other treatment options include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), exercise, meditation, and physical therapy.
Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMD):
A temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is where your jaw rotates and moves, which means it opens and closes, and moves forward, back, and sideways. The surrounding muscles and ligaments of this joint can be affected by Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMD), leading to cheek pain. Some of the key symptoms of TMD are headaches, jaw tenderness, earaches, and facial pain. TMD can be caused due to various factors, such as:
- teeth grinding
- trauma
- an improper bite
- arthritis
- stress, or
- wear and tear
During the dental checkup, your dentist can diagnose TMD and suggest you the best treatment option. Some of the key treatment options include using Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation (TENS), ultrasound, and even Botox.
Periodontal disease
Also known as gum disease, periodontal disease is an infection of the gums, bones, and all that surrounds the tooth. If left ignored, periodontal disease can result in toothaches, and pain while moving the jaws, this may also cause pain in your cheek.
A periodontist (specialist in treating complex gum disease) can help you get rid of periodontal disease. With proper dental cleaning which includes removing plaque and tartar, your gums will start healing and the pain will reduce. The dentist may also suggest removing the infected tooth in more severe cases.
Sialadenitis
Sialadenitis, also known as the swollen salivary gland is another key cause of cheek pain. This usually happens in people over 60 years of age when their salivary gland becomes inflamed. Some of the key symptoms of a swollen salivary gland include:
- Fever
- Dry mouth
- Pain while eating or chewing
- Swelling in the cheek and neck area
To treat this condition, your dentist may prescribe you an antibiotic. Other ways you can try are sucking on hard candy or drinking lemon juice to increase your saliva production.
Trigeminal neuralgia
Trigeminal neuralgia is an intense pain that usually happens on one side of the face. This rare nerve condition can affect your trigeminal nerve, one of the nerves connected to your brain. The nerve transmits touch and pain sensations from your head and face to the brain. This intense facial pain can affect various activities like:
- Chewing,
- Smiling,
- Brushing
- Talking, etc.
Your doctor may conduct a physical exam and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) to diagnose trigeminal neuralgia. Based on that he/she will suggest the right medication or surgery if you have extreme symptoms.
Dental procedures
You might also experience cheek pain and discomfort after undergoing a dental procedure such as tooth extraction, or a root canal. This happens mainly due to the numbing. Injections are given around the cheeks to get the teeth numb, resulting in soreness afterward. The tooth and area around the dental procedure can also become sore and inflamed, leading to cheek pain.
To treat the pain, you can use OTC nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)
Though Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) is a condition that affects your heart, it can have symptoms like jaw pain. The accumulation of plaque in your arteries can cause your heart to pump harder to supply blood to your body. This may lead to a heart attack. If you notice any symptoms like:
- Dizziness
- Lightheaded
- Weak or nauseous
It is advisable to see a doctor immediately. The best way to prevent such a situation is to make some changes in your lifestyle like eating a heart-healthy diet, following good oral hygiene, exercising, etc.
Conclusion:
These are some of the most common reasons that cause cheek pain. So, if you experience frequent pain in your cheeks, don’t ignore this issue as it might be a serious issue. You must get the diagnosis done by the best dentist in Roswell GA.
TruCare is one of the best sources to get the right treatment for any dental problem. The team of professionals at TruCare is equipped with all the advanced tools and technologies to diagnose and treat any kind of dental issue.