6 Causes of Jaw Pain You Shouldn’t Ignore

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ADMS
Health & Medical
Sunrise Dentistry
https://sunrise-dentistry.com/blog/6-causes-of-jaw-pain-you-shouldnt-ignore/
6 Causes of Jaw Pain You
Shouldn’t Ignore
B L O G  |  S U N R I S E  D E N T I S T R Y
https://sunrise-dentistry.com/
Jaw health plays a central role in
keeping the body healthy when it
comes to chewing and digesting the
food you eat. 
When jaw pain develops, it not only
compromises your ability to eat but
may also affect other areas of your
health depending on the cause. 
How the Jaw Works
The jawbone consists of an upper
bone, a lower bone and two joints,
known as the temporomandibular
joints or TMJ. 
When chewing, speaking or
swallowing, the upper jaw remains
immobile while the lower jaw moves
up, down and side to side. Several jaw
muscles and ligaments enable the
jawbone to work as it does.
The joints included in the jawbone
connect the jaw to the skull. Each
joint consists of a ball and socket with
a disc between these structures to
cushion the load. 
Along with the teeth and gums, the
jawbone, its joints, muscles and
ligaments work together so jaw pain
can develop out of any one of these
areas. Here are eight possible jaw pain
causes.
6 Causes of Jaw Pain
1. Teeth Grinding
Teeth grinding, also called bruxism,
typically occurs during sleep. Upon
waking, you’ll likely experience
soreness in the jaw and a mild
headache. High stress levels can
promote teeth grinding at night. 
Crooked teeth can also be a cause. A
mouth guard, molded by a dentist,
can prevent teeth grinding and
eliminate jaw pain.
2. Pain Involving the Jaw Muscles
Pain in the jaw muscles, a condition
known as myofascial pain syndrome,
can cause chronic jaw pain to develop
over time. Pain may be coming from
the muscles themselves or the
sheaths (called fascia) that encase the
muscles. Symptoms of myofascial
pain syndrome include limited jaw
function and/or a clicking or popping
noise when you move your jaw.
If you have arthritis, poor posture
or have suffered a trauma to the
mouth or spine, these conditions
can give rise to pain in jaw
muscles. 
A dentist who specializes in
treating TMJ can help you manage
jaw pain by identifying and
addressing the underlying cause.
 
3. Improper Bite
If you’re experiencing a dull pain
in your jaw when you talk or
chew, your overall bite might be
off. 
An improper bite occurs when
the teeth don’t meet together as
they should when talking or
chewing.
Causes of an improper bite may stem
from past trauma to the jaw, missing
teeth or even an impacted wisdom
tooth. 
A good dentist can diagnose this
condition and prevent your teeth
from “drifting” out of place by
making the proper corrections, such
as building a bridge or crown for the
affected teeth.
4. Infection-Related Causes
If you’re seeing redness or swelling
along the teeth or gums, an
infection may be causing your jaw
pain. Infections typically develop
in dental cavities that go untreated. 
An infection-related pain in jaw
requires immediate treatment to
keep the infection from entering
the bones. The tooth may have to
be pulled and antibiotics may also
be needed.
5. Sudden and Severe Jaw Pain
Of all the jaw pain causes, this one
may be the most serious. Sudden,
severe jaw pain, particularly pain in
the lower-left portion of the jaw, may
be a sign of a heart attack. In effect,
the heart sends pain signals to other
areas of the body since it doesn’t have
pain receptors itself.
Pain shooting down the left arm is
the more commonly known area of
the body. The heart can also send
pain signals to the jaw. When this
happens, it’s best to go to the
emergency room.
6. Dental Problems
Jaw pain causes often originate in the
teeth and gums. Some of the most
common causes include:
Dental
Problems
Toothaches caused by a cavity or
an abscess
Cracked teeth
Gum disease
Teeth that are sensitive to heat
and cold
Cancer
A visit to the dentist will alleviate all
of the above, except cancer. Much like
how cancer forms and spreads in
other areas of the body, cancerous
cells can develop anywhere inside the
mouth, including the jawbone. 
Cancer may appear as persistent sores
or abnormal growths in the mouth or
as numbness or pain in the jaw area.
An experienced dentist can diagnose
the problem and treat it or make the
necessary referrals.
As Always, Early Detection Is Key
Pain, in any form, is the body’s way of
telling you something is wrong. Jaw
pain is no different. Early diagnosis
and treatment are key to avoiding
more serious problems down the line.
Our team at Sunrise Dentistry takes a
comprehensive approach to ensuring
your dental needs are met. We also
make it a point to build solid
relationships with our patients, which
helps take the dread out of going to
the dentist. 
Our dentist, Dr. Dale Strietzel, is a top
Durango dentist who has over 30
years of experience in the field so you
expect an accurate diagnosis and
prompt treatment care. Call us today
at (970) 247-3303 to schedule an
appointment.
dale@durangolive.net
EMAIL ADDRESS
(970) 247-3303
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https://sunrise-dentistry.com/
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