Does taking a bite out of your lunch or yawning make you say \u201couch?\u201d You may not know what\u2019s causing that jaw pain, or why eating is suddenly excruciating, but you sure know that that jaw pain <\/span>hurts.<\/span><\/i> It can seem overwhelming, and even frightening when you\u2019re unsure how long it will last or it doesn\u2019t seem to subside, but there are ways to mitigate jaw pain.<\/span><\/p>\n
In this piece, we\u2019ll explore some of the frequent causes of jaw pain from temporomandibular joint disorder to lesser-known causes like teeth grinding. And for those currently suffering from pain in your jaw, we\u2019ll also provide some easy at-home remedies and tips for how to get medical help to treat severe cases.<\/span><\/p>\n
A variety of issues can cause the pain you’re experiencing. Here are some of the common sources:<\/span><\/p>\n
The temporomandibular joint connects the jaw bone to the skull, acting \u201clike a sliding hinge\u201d<\/span> according to the Mayo Clinic<\/span><\/a>. When this joint becomes injured or affected by a condition such as arthritis, you can end up with jaw pain. Take a listen when you open and close your mouth, if you hear a clicking sound or feel pain around the face, ears, or jaw, these are all common symptoms of TMJ.<\/span><\/p>\n
Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder is more common than might be widely known, with<\/span> the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research estimating<\/span><\/a> that more than 10 million Americans experience TMJ. Up to 12 percent of people are affected. Less than half seek treatment, with \u201cthe majority of those seeking treatment… women in their childbearing years\u201d<\/span> according to the National Women\u2019s Health Network<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n\t\t
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Take a blow to the jaw and it can easily lead to bruises, swelling, and knocked out teeth \u2014 all things that affect the ability to chew comfortably and open and close the mouth without pain.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
WebMD<\/span> notes<\/span><\/a> that soft foods and over-the-counter pain medication can typically ease discomfort, adding, \u201cBut if the pain won\u2019t go away, or you can\u2019t open and close your<\/span> mouth<\/span><\/a> right, you\u2019ll need medical care.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n
Feeling congested? Breathe America<\/span> noted the connection between sinus infections and jaw pain<\/span><\/a>: \u201cSinus infections usually cause swelling, and when that swelling becomes severe, it can even reach to your jaw.\u201d Seek medical help for your infection and with treatment, the ache should subside as your other symptoms lessen.<\/span><\/p>\n
Failing to regularly brush and floss and get in for dental cleanings won\u2019t just cause yellow teeth and some funktastic breath. It might also lead to jaw pain.<\/span><\/p>\n
Any number of different dental issues can cause jaw pain, including:<\/span><\/p>\n
Around 35 percent of people with psoriatic arthritis experience jaw pain<\/span> according to Medical News Today<\/span><\/a>. People with rheumatoid arthritis and other joint problems also have jaw issues, which can have detrimental, and painful, effects on drinking, eating, and sleeping.<\/span><\/p>\n
Tetanus, also known as lockjaw, is a disease that results from tetanus bacteria getting into the body through a puncture wound. Infection leads to muscle spasms that lock the jaw closed.<\/span><\/p>\n
Jaw pain can be easy to ignore or rationalize away as a seemingly unavoidable part of life. However, sometimes, it can be a symptom of much deeper issues.<\/span><\/p>\n
The American Heart Association lists various heart attack warning signs<\/span> on its website<\/span><\/a>, including \u201cpain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw, or stomach.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n
Stress, that feeling of having insufficient resources to deal with whatever\u2019s going on in your life at the moment, has physical manifestations. One of them is teeth grinding which can lead to tooth damage and jaw soreness.<\/span><\/p>\n
Oral pain is no fun to deal with. That said, here\u2019s some good news: There are many ways to deal with it.<\/span><\/p>\n
Below are some initial strategies to take which can provide relief. They can also help assess if jaw problems are severe enough to merit medical attention.<\/span><\/p>\n
Good old ibuprofen.<\/span><\/p>\n
Athletes are familiar with this all-purpose pain reliever after a tough workout. Turns out ibuprofen is a staple at the dentist\u2019s office as well, able to bring relief to affected jaws.<\/span><\/p>\n
Acetaminophen, often in the form of\u00a0 Tylenol, is another popular over-the-counter remedy for pain in your jaw, \u201cbut it doesn’t address inflammation,\u201d<\/span> PracticalPainManagment.com notes<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n
If you\u2019re experiencing temporary jaw pain, you may want to stick to soft foods so as not to aggravate it.<\/span><\/p>\n
Per WebMD,<\/span> some of the foods<\/span><\/a> that can help ease pain include mashed potatoes, yogurt, cottage cheese, scrambled eggs, soup, cooked fruits and vegetables, beans, grains, and even fish.<\/span><\/p>\n
The TMJ Association notes that<\/span> the most common intervention for jaw pain<\/span><\/a>, used by 65 percent of respondents to a survey it conducted, was hot or cold compresses to the jaw. The best part? 74 percent of these respondents reported a reduction in their symptoms. Simple but effective.<\/span><\/p>\n
Massage therapy can work wonders for alleviating jaw pain.<\/span> PainScience <\/span><\/i>broke down<\/span> how to massage<\/span><\/a> the masseter muscle, which hangs from the underside of the cheekbone.<\/span><\/p>\n
Many different lifestyle practices can help reduce pain.<\/span><\/p>\n
Yoga and mindful meditation, both of which<\/span> can reduce stress and teeth grinding<\/span><\/a>, are alternative methods for dealing with pain in your jaw. These are excellent ways to reduce stress but these efforts on their own might not solve your current jaw pain, so while you\u2019re trying other methods using these practices could help prevent future issues.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
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If you\u2019ve tried home remedies and jaw pain persists, it might be time to take the next step and contact a medical professional.<\/span><\/p>\n
While doctors, dentists, and others within the health community can\u2019t wave a magic wand to immediately rid sufferers of jaw pain, they have various tools to address the issue at its root and help find a solution.<\/span><\/p>\n
Here is how to go about getting medical help for pain in your jaw.<\/span><\/p>\n
Doctors, dentists, and other medical professionals have a broad assortment of tests and diagnostic tools for assessing jaw pain. These can include:<\/span><\/p>\n
A dentist or doctor might employ a combination of these tests to determine what\u2019s going on and begin treatment for pain in your jaw<\/span><\/p>\n
Once a medical professional has performed the necessary tests and diagnostic assessments, they can move to treatments for oral pain.<\/span><\/p>\n
Treatments may include:<\/span><\/p>\n
Suffering from oral pain? You don\u2019t have to be.<\/span> Use Opencare<\/span><\/a> to find a good dentist in seconds and start feeling better today.<\/span><\/p>\n\t\t