{"id":2439,"date":"2023-02-16T10:28:49","date_gmt":"2023-02-16T10:28:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.trucaredentistry.com\/blog\/?p=2439"},"modified":"2023-10-30T01:33:38","modified_gmt":"2023-10-30T01:33:38","slug":"what-are-the-major-causes-of-jaw-pain","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.trucaredentistry.com\/blog\/what-are-the-major-causes-of-jaw-pain\/","title":{"rendered":"What Are The Major Causes of Jaw Pain?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-2440 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.trucaredentistry.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/What-Are-the-Major-Causes-of-Jaw-Pain.jpg\" alt=\"what are the major causes of jaw pain?\" width=\"400\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.trucaredentistry.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/What-Are-the-Major-Causes-of-Jaw-Pain.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.trucaredentistry.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/What-Are-the-Major-Causes-of-Jaw-Pain-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.trucaredentistry.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/What-Are-the-Major-Causes-of-Jaw-Pain-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Jaw pain, a debilitating condition, affects millions of people in the U.S. each year. A large number of issues can cause pain in your jaw; the cause doesn\u2019t necessarily have to be your jaw, either. Problems with your oral health, sinuses, ears, etc., can cause it, too.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Many other underlying conditions can be the cause of jaw pain. It could be something common like tooth pain or something severe like a heart attack or a dislocated jaw.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here are some of the major causes of your jaw pain:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><b> TMJ disorders<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your jawbone is connected to your skull at a pair of joints known as the temporomandibular joints (or TMJs). These hinge joints in front of your ears allow you to open and close your mouth.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Temporomandibular joints and muscle disorders (TMDs) are the most common reasons for jaw pain. Several things can cause TMD, some of which are:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">An injury to your jaw joint<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Excess stimulation to your jaw joint, like <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.trucaredentistry.com\/blog\/teeth-grinding-and-treatment\/\">grinding<\/a><\/strong> or clenching your teeth<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your jaw not lining up properly\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Inflammation in the muscles near your jaw<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Certain conditions like arthritis<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A displaced disc that helps cushion the movement of the jaw<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There can be other symptoms of TMD other than jaw pain, like:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Clicking sound when you open\/close your mouth<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Locked jaw\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Difficulty or pain while chewing\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pain around your ears or face\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Persistent headaches<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ringing in your ears<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Vision problems<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dizziness<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you have an issue with your TMJ, get it checked out by your GP or your dentist. They might recommend jaw exercises and over-the-counter drugs for pain. Your doctor might also recommend a bite guard to keep you from grinding your teeth. Sometimes, you might need prescription drugs or surgery to fix the issue.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ol start=\"2\">\n<li><b> Sinus Issues<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The sinuses are located close to the jaw joint, so if they become infected with a virus or bacteria, it can cause an excess of mucus that puts pressure on the jaw joint, causing jaw pain.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You might have chronic sinusitis if they stay inflamed for over three months despite treatment. It may cause difficulty breathing through your nose, and the area under your eyes might feel sensitive, too.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ol start=\"3\">\n<li><b> Trauma<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Like any other bone, your jawbone is also susceptible to trauma. If you\u2019ve injured your jaw and have broken or dislocated it, your lower jawbone might move out of your TMJ. This is a medical emergency and would need immediate care.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Breaking your jaw can cause symptoms similar to other bone injuries like swelling, bruises, pain, and in this case, knocked-out or loose teeth.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dental surgery can also sometimes cause pain in your jaw.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ol start=\"4\">\n<li><b> Joint Problems<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Autoimmune diseases affecting joints, like rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis, can cause inflammation in the joints, including your temporomandibular joints. This can cause pain to develop in your jaw.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Autoimmune conditions cause our body to attack its healthy tissues. These autoimmune diseases affecting your joints can also cause your bones to wear away. They may damage the spongy cartilage between your jaw joints, allowing it to move smoothly and causing your jaw to feel stiff, too.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ol start=\"5\">\n<li><b> Heart Attack<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Even though they may sound unrelated, jaw pain can sometimes be one of the signs of a heart attack. This is called referred pain. Pain that arises around a cluster of nerves, like your heart, can also be felt in another place in your body. Similarly, referred pain in the jaw can also signify joint problems elsewhere in the body.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Women, in particular, may experience jaw pain on the left side of their faces when they have a heart attack. You need to seek emergency medical care in this case. During a heart attack, you could also experience the following:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Discomfort in your chest<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sweating<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Feeling faint<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nausea\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Shortness of breath\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pain or discomfort in your back, shoulder, arm, or neck<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ol start=\"6\">\n<li><b> Trigeminal Neuralgia<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Trigeminal neuralgia is a painful condition caused when a blood vessel presses against the trigeminal nerve. The trigeminal nerve carries messages from your face to your brain. It provides sensation to the major portion of your face, including your jaw, causing <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.trucaredentistry.com\/blog\/ways-to-deal-effectively-with-jaw-lock-sprain\/\">jaw pain<\/a><\/strong> if compressed.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It usually affects one side of your face and causes a stabbing pain that can feel like a jolt of electricity. This pain can get quite severe, keeping you from comfortably performing daily activities like eating.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ol start=\"7\">\n<li><b> Dental Issues\u00a0<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sometimes jaw pain can be caused by severe tooth infections. Poor oral health can lead to gum infections that can cause pain in your jaw. Misaligned teeth can also easily cause jaw pain. Different treatment options are available for alignment issues like an overbite.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Jaw pain can arise from various other dental issues:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Gum disease that can damage your jawbone<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Wisdom teeth<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Clenching your jaw or grinding your teeth<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Misaligned teeth<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Toothache causing cavities or abscesses<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Damaged teeth<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cracked teeth or teeth that are sensitive to temperature<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You should seek immediate medical care if you have persistent jaw pain, especially when accompanied by swelling. Though it may not be severe, it is always best to seek medical advice.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At TruCare Dentistry, we provide same-day dental care and treat all dental emergencies. If you\u2019re looking for an <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.trucaredentistry.com\/emergency-dental-care.php\">emergency dentist<\/a><\/strong> in Roswell or the best dentist in Roswell, GA, or neighboring areas such as Alpharetta, Dunwoody, Marietta, Milton, Sandy Springs, or Woodstock, call (678) 321-7575 or visit the website to <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.trucaredentistry.com\/contact-us.php\">book an appointment<\/a><\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Jaw pain, a debilitating condition, affects millions of people in the U.S. each year. A large number of issues can cause pain in your jaw; the cause doesn\u2019t necessarily have to be your jaw, either. Problems with your oral health, &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.trucaredentistry.com\/blog\/what-are-the-major-causes-of-jaw-pain\/\">Continued<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":2440,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[277],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2439","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-general-dentistry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.trucaredentistry.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2439","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.trucaredentistry.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.trucaredentistry.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.trucaredentistry.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.trucaredentistry.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2439"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.trucaredentistry.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2439\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2441,"href":"https:\/\/www.trucaredentistry.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2439\/revisions\/2441"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.trucaredentistry.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2440"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.trucaredentistry.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2439"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.trucaredentistry.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2439"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.trucaredentistry.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2439"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}