Jaw pain can be a debilitating condition that affects your ability to eat and speak. From your sinuses and ears to your teeth or jaw itself, many things can cause jaw pain. This means it can be difficult to tell if your jaw pain is caused by a jaw problem or something else.
Most jaw pain is caused by an abnormality or injury to your jaw joint, but there are other possible causes. Here are some of the causes of jaw pain:
1.Temporomandibular Joint and Muscle Disorder (TMD)
TMDs are the most common cause of jaw pain. TMD is also sometimes known as TMJ. The temporomandibular joints are the hinge joints on either side of your jaw. Several things can cause TMD jaw pain. It is possible to experience joint disorders for several reasons at the same time. Causes include:
.Pain from the muscles that control jaw movement
.Injury to the jaw joint
.Over-stimulation of the jaw joint
.Usually a displaced disc that helps smooth out jaw movements
.Arthritis of the protective disc cushioning the jaw joint.
Damage to the jaw joint or the muscles that control your jaw movement can be caused by a variety of factors, including:
.Grinding your teeth at night
.Involuntarily clenching your jaw due to stress and anxiety
.Trauma to the jaw joint, such as getting a blow to the face while doing sports
There are also less common causes of jaw pain. These include:
1.Cluster Headaches
Cluster headaches typically cause pain behind or around one of the eyes, but the pain can radiate to the jaw. Cluster headaches are one of the most severe pains.
3.Sinus Problems
Sinuses are air-filled spaces near the jaw joint. If the sinuses become infected with a germ such as a virus or bacteria, the result can be excess mucus that puts pressure on the jaw joint and causes pain.
4.Toothache
It can sometimes cause referred pain from enemy teeth, known as a dental abscess, that radiates to the jaw.
5.Trigeminal Neuralgia
Trigeminal neuralgia is most commonly caused by nerve compression in the trigeminal nerves, which provide sensation to large parts of the face, including the upper and lower jaws.
6.Heart Attack
A heart attack can cause pain in other parts of the body besides the chest, such as the arms, back, neck, and jaw. Women in particular may experience jaw pain on the left side of their face during a heart attack. See a doctor immediately if you experience the following symptoms:
.Chest discomfort
.Shortness of breath
.Sweating
.Nausea
.Feeling faint
For Emergency Relief;
.Apply moist heat or ice packs: Put the ice in a plastic bag, wrap it in a thin cloth and apply it to your face for 10 minutes. Then remove for 10 minutes before reapplying. Another option is to run warm water over a cloth and then apply it to your chin area. Moist heat can relax overactive jaw muscles and relieve pain. You may need to rewet the cloth several times to maintain the heat.
You can also buy heat or ice packs at the drugstore or online. However, they should always be covered with cloth or they may burn your skin. Take it out if it feels too hot or too cold.
.Over-the-counter pain relievers: Medications such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen can help reduce discomfort.
.Massage the affected joint: Using your index and middle finger, press on the painful areas of your jaw, such as the area just in front of your ear where your jaw joints meet. Rub in circular motions for 5 to 10 rotations, then open your mouth and repeat the exercise. Massaging the muscles on the side of your neck can also help relieve tension.
