Jaw pain is an issue that affects millions of Americans on a daily basis. Sometimes it is the result of a previous trauma to the gum, while other times it is brought on by the development of oral or other health conditions. Sometimes jaw pain can be treated by your dentist, while other causes are best handled by your family physician. Below, we take a closer look at why your jaw hurts and how to best treat jaw pain.
Causes and Symptoms of Jaw Pain
As we alluded to above, jaw pain can be the result of damage from acute trauma, but there are plenty of other not so obvious causes of jaw pain. Some conditions that can lead to jaw pain include:
- Toothaches
- Infections
- Tooth Grinding
- Periodontal Disease
- Degeneration or Damage to the Temporomandibular Joint
- Sinus Problems
- Arthritis
Symptoms of the jaw pain vary slightly based on the underlying cause of the condition, but in addition to pain, many individuals complain of tenderness of the jaw, headaches, swelling, and pain in the ear or while biting and chewing food.
Diagnosis and Treatment of Jaw Pain
If you are dealing with chronic jaw pain, bring it up to your dentist or family physician at your next appointment. Most people just assume it’s an issue for your doctor, but as you can see by the above list, many jaw pain issues are housed in the mouth, and your dentist can be a great resource. Wherever you go, your specialist will likely begin by asking about your symptoms, taking a look at your jaw and mouth, and then confirming their suspicions with help of an imaging test like an X-ray.
Your dentist will then formulate a treatment plan based on what they saw on the X-ray. Treatment techniques are developed on an individual basis, so what works for one person may not work for someone else, but some common treatment options include muscle relaxants, physical therapy exercises, mouth protectors, antibiotics, anti-inflammatory medications, root canal, tooth extraction or periodontal treatment. Your dentist can go into greater detail on each treatment based on what is best suited to your situation.
Minnesota Dentist
As you can see, since many of the causes of jaw pain are caused by teeth or mouth issues, it is imperative to practice good oral health. The more proactive you are at caring for your teeth and gums, the more likely you are to avoid jaw problems. For more tips on how to best care for your oral health, or to talk to Dr. Brooks about your jaw pain, reach out to his clinic today.
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