What Causes Jaw Pain?
Jaw aches and pains can have a number of possible causes, from injuries to the temporomandibular joints (TMJ) to teeth grinding, a misaligned bite and feelings of stress or anxiety. A dentist can identify what’s causing your jaw pain and recommend tailored solutions to relieve it permanently.
If your jaw feels painful, is stiff or difficult to open and close, or you have other symptoms of a TMJ problem, such as headaches or clicking, popping or grinding sounds when you move your jaw, you should talk to a dentist today.
What can trigger TMJ problems?
There isn’t a single cause of TMJ disorder. It can happen if the jaw joints are injured, worn down or subjected to uneven pressure from misaligned teeth or teeth grinding (bruxism), which may result from stress. Your dentist will aim to identify all the likely causes of your jaw pain so they can recommend effective TMJ treatments.
TMJ pain may be constant or may only happen when you move your jaw, such as when chewing or talking. Generally, over-exerting the jaw by opening your mouth wide or grinding your teeth can make TMJ pain worse and should be avoided as much as possible.
Can jaw pain go away by itself?
Mild jaw pain can sometimes go away by itself if you take care of your jaw. You can ease strain on the jaw joints by eating soft foods and avoiding opening your mouth too wide. Taking pain relief, applying a cold compress and massaging the painful areas could also ease pain in the short term. Your doctor or dentist might also suggest some jaw exercises.
If you have more severe jaw pain, or it lasts longer than a few days, you should see a doctor or dentist to discuss your treatment options.
How to relieve jaw pain?
Treatment for TMJ problems will depend on what’s causing your jaw pain and how severe it is. A GP may suggest painkillers, relaxation techniques or ways to improve your sleep, or they may refer you to a dentist or other specialist.
Dental interventions for TMJ pain can include:
- Teeth straightening with clear aligners or braces to correct a misaligned bite
- Rebuilding worn or damaged teeth with crowns or bonding
- Wearing a night guard to prevent teeth grinding during sleep
- In severe cases, surgery may be needed to repair the temporomandibular joints
Current research recognises the importance of psychological factors such as stress and anxiety in many TMJ disorder cases. Your doctor or dentist may refer you to a counselling service if they think it could help you.
See a dentist in Mosman today
Does your jaw feel painful or stiff? If you’re worried that you might have a TMJ disorder, our dentists at Mosman 3D Dental can get to the root of the pain and help it to go away. Get in touch today by calling our friendly team on (02) 9969 8610 or make an online booking and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.
References
Li DTS, Leung YY. Temporomandibular Disorders: Current Concepts and Controversies in Diagnosis and Management. Diagnostics (Basel). 2021 Mar 6;11(3):459. doi: 10.3390/diagnostics11030459. PMID: 33800948; PMCID: PMC8000442.