What causes facial and jaw pain? In most cases doctors link face and jaw pain to temporomandibular joint dysfunction. The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is the joint that connects the jaw to the temporal bones of the skull. Temporomandibular joint condition, understood more typically as TMD, takes place when there are issues with the muscles and jaws in the face.
Signs & Symptoms of Facial And Jaw Pain
There are lots of symptoms and signs of TMD. It’s often difficult to understand for sure if you have TMD, due to the fact that one or all these symptoms can likewise exist for other issues. Your dental practitioner can help make an appropriate diagnosis. Some of the most common TMD symptoms include:
- Pain in the face, jaw or ear area.
- Headaches (often mimicking migraines), earaches, and pain and pressure behind the eyes.
- A clicking or popping sound when opening or closing the mouth.
- Jaw that “gets stuck,” locked or heads out of place.
- Inflammation of the jaw muscles.
- Swelling of the face.
Whether you’re experiencing a dull ache, remaining pain or a stabbing sensation, pain in your jaw and face can be frustrating and, sometimes, even crippling. Your facial or jaw pain might be caused by among various sources, however here are a few of the common culprits.
Other Causes of Facial And Jaw Pain
Teeth Grinding
While you may think it would be obvious if you were grinding your teeth, the truth is that lots of people really grind their teeth while they’re sleeping and do not even understand they’re doing it. This condition, which can impact people of any ages, has a variety of potential causes, including demanding circumstances, uneven teeth, an unusual bite or missing out on teeth. In addition to triggering headaches, face and jaw pain, teeth grinding can also cause tooth fractures, tooth sensitivity and loose teeth. If you do grind your teeth, your dentist may recommend a mouthguard and basic stress relief strategies to do at home.
A TMJ Condition
TMJ refers to your temporomandibular joints, which are the joints that allow your mouth to open and close. When you have a TMJ disorder, also referred to as TMD, it indicates that something has actually caused the joints to work incorrectly, developing symptoms like jaw and facial pain, difficulty moving your jaw and clicking or popping sounds when you open your mouth. There are a number of methods your dentist may take to ease pain from TMJ, consisting of easy changes in eating practices, exercises, medication or orthodontic treatments.
Also Need to Pay Attention to
In addition to a TMJ disorder or teeth grinding, the ADA keeps in mind that pain around your jaw or face may also be attributed to one of the following causes:
- arthritis.
- sinus problems.
- jaw injury.
- infection.
- gum disease.
- tooth pain.
To figure out the exact source of your pain, schedule a visit with a dental specialist who can give you an extensive examination.