Many adults suffer from chronic jaw pain and facial pain. Some symptoms include pain around the ear, tenderness of the jaw, pain when biting or headaches. While many things can cause this pain, it can often be hard to diagnose and treat. Here are some common causes and what to do to relieve the pain.
Sinus Problems
The sinuses are air filled cavities located close to the jaw joint. If your sinuses are infected with a virus or bacterium you can have excess mucus that puts pressure on the jaw joint, thus causing the jaw pain. For the pain, over the counter pain relievers can help to ease the pain. If your sinuses are infected, you can also relieve this problem by visiting your doctor to get antibiotics to dissipate the infection.
Infections
An infection called Osteomyelitis affects the temporomandibular joint in your jaw. When this infection can cause fever or facial swelling. Antibiotics can resolve the infection but this condition can cause part of the jawbone to die if not handled correctly.
Anxiety
Stress and anxiety can lead to tension, tooth grinding and jaw clenching. These can cause damage, uneven wear to the surface of your teeth. This causes uneven pressure on your joints of the jawbone. Limiting stress or finding a solution for your anxiety can help solve some of the discomfort in your jaw. Over the counter pain relievers can also help here to temporarily limit the ache in your jaw.
Tooth Grinding
Grinding your teeth in your sleep can be an unknown cause. Many people don’t even know that they have this nightly habit until they wake up with jaw pain. Walking up with a stiff jaw could mean that you are a grinder. Grinding your teeth can cause more than just jaw pain, it can cause tooth sensitivity and worn tooth enamel. Grinding your teeth can also cause tension headaches, which can lead to more pain. Visiting your dentist who can provide you a night guard that will help relieve the pressure on your jaw and protect your teeth.
Arthritis
Arthritis in the jaw can produce symptoms of TMJ, temporomandibular joint disorder. The progression and severity of TMJ can depend on the arthritis involved. Some of the symptoms of this include chronic inflammation, cartilage deterioration and restriction of movement in the jaw. Catching arthritis early can help the prognosis. In order to diagnose this a dentist or doctor will need to complete an X-ray or a CT scan to look at your jaw bones and joint tissue.
Mountain View Dental Can Help
No matter your symptoms, Mountain View Dental can help you with your jaw pain with a free consultation and diagnosis. Taking X-rays will be billed to your insurance, but we would love to help you get the relief you need. Getting dental or medical treatment can help keep you from experiencing tooth loss or jaw decay. We want to give you the best care possible and help relive your pain and get back to your normal life.
Not only do we provide diagnosis, we provide general dentistry and orthodontic treatment. We are here to serve your whole family. We take children and adults alike. Located in Pleasant View, Mountain View Dental is happy to serve you and your family. Check out our website and our FAQ page for more information.
