Jaw pain can impact your entire life. It is often impossible to ignore, makes eating and talking miserable, and may even keep you up at night.
If you have ever experienced jaw pain, there is a good chance you want to get rid of it – for good. To alleviate and eliminate issues with your jaw, the first step is to learn the causes of jaw pain. Keep reading to find out what these are.
1. An Injury
The most obvious and easy-to-diagnose issue is an injury to the jaw. If you have fallen and hit your face or been involved in an accident, jaw pain may follow.
Seeking treatment is the best way to alleviate this type of jaw pain.
2. A TMJ Disorder
Your jaw has two temporomandibular joints (TMJ), one on each side of your mouth. These serve as a type of hinge, connecting your jaw to your skull.
Issues can arise with the temporomandibular joints, and TMJ disorders may occur. While these disorders cause jaw pain, there are other symptoms, too, such as a change in how your teeth “fit” together, jaw stiffness, issues opening your jaw, a “locked” feeling, or painful popping and clicking when you open or close your mouth.
3. Sinusitis
If you suffer from sinusitis, you may experience a high level of pressure beneath your eyes. However, it can also radiate down into your jaw.
If you suffer from allergies or get sinus infections often, jaw pain may occur.
4. An Untreated Cavity
Plaque is actually nasty bacteria created by the food and drinks you consume. If you do not clean your teeth often enough, it can break down the layer of enamel on your teeth.
When this happens, a cavity may occur. However, when the cavity gets bigger, it will move into the dentin, which is the layer beneath the enamel. This is when pain often begins. Schedule an appointment to get your crown fitted Dentist in Ballwin to keep the cavities at bay.
If the cavity continues to grow, it can reach the pulp in your tooth, causing pain around your jaw. The good news is cavities are easy to fill. However, if you wait too long, your dentist may recommend a root canal.
5. Impacted Wisdom Teeth
Wisdom teeth are your third set of molars. Usually, they appear during your late teens or early 20s.
Not everyone will get them, but if you do, you will have two on the top and two on the bottom. If there is not enough room in your mouth for them to break through the gums, the teeth may become impacted.
Impacted wisdom teeth can cause a lot of pain. The only treatment is surgery to remove the teeth. Your dentist can use an X-ray to determine if this is the issue.
Seek Treatment for Common Causes of Jaw Pain
As you can see, several issues can result in jaw pain. Knowing the common causes of jaw pain will help you seek treatment and eliminate the discomfort you feel.
If you found the information here helpful, be sure to check out some of our other blogs.
