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Jaw pain can be caused by a variety of factors, including fractures, dislocation, arthritis, dental abscesses, and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders. It is crucial to seek a specialist's diagnosis whenever you experience any issues related to your jawbone. Jaw pain may also be a symptom of serious conditions such as a heart attack or angina. Understanding the potential causes of jaw pain can aid in treatment and help prevent swelling, difficulty chewing, or restricted movement.
Steps
Treating Jaw Pain Caused by Teeth Grinding
Understanding the Causes of Teeth Grinding. Teeth grinding can arise from various factors. Doctors have identified several elements that contribute to this behavior, both during the day and at night, including:
- Ear pain
- Teething in children
- Emotional stress (stress, frustration, anger, anxiety)
- Personality traits (high competitiveness, aggressiveness)
- Spontaneous habits, often occurring when concentrating or dealing with stressful situations
- Misalignment of the upper and lower teeth (also known as malocclusion)
- Sleep-related issues, such as sleep apnea
- Complications from degenerative diseases like Huntington's disease and Parkinson's disease
Treating Teeth Grinding. If teeth grinding persists and leads to severe jaw pain, you may want to consult with a dentist for methods to prevent the habit, or at least minimize the impact of teeth grinding.
- Use a mouthguard. This device is particularly helpful if you grind your teeth at night. A mouthguard is designed to separate the upper and lower jaws, helping reduce pain and damage caused by grinding.
- Correct teeth misalignment. In extreme cases of teeth grinding, your dentist might recommend wearing braces or undergoing oral surgery to realign the teeth and jaws.
- Regular dental checkups. With consistent monitoring and treatment, a dentist can help reduce the frequency of grinding and alleviate jaw pain.
Treating the Underlying Causes of Teeth Grinding. If intense emotions or behavioral issues are contributing to teeth grinding and causing significant jaw pain, you may need to address these emotional and behavioral triggers.
- Practice stress management techniques such as meditation or rigorous exercise routines.
- Use therapies to treat issues like anxiety, anger, or stress.
- In severe cases, your doctor may recommend medication. While teeth grinding is generally not treated with drugs, certain prescription medications like muscle relaxants may help relieve tension and ease pain.
Lifestyle Changes. Certain lifestyle adjustments can help reduce teeth grinding and prevent jaw pain, particularly if the grinding is linked to stress or anxiety.
- Manage stress. Find activities that help you relax, whether it’s listening to calming music, engaging in high-intensity exercise, or enjoying a soothing bath. Make stress relief a daily practice, especially before bed.
- Avoid caffeine and stimulants. Try decaffeinated coffee or tea, or better yet, drink herbal teas known for their calming effects in the evening. Avoid smoking and drinking alcohol in the evening for better sleep and less grinding.
Relieving Jaw Pain Caused by Dental Abscess
Understanding the Causes of Dental Abscess. A dental abscess is an infection at the site of a nerve, usually resulting from untreated tooth decay. Symptoms include:
- A persistent sharp pain in the tooth
- Sensitivity to temperature changes, such as hot or cold foods or drinks
- Pain when chewing, eating, or drinking
- Swelling on the side of the face where the abscessed tooth is located
- Swelling or inflammation of the lymph nodes around the jaw
Treating an Abscess. If you suspect an abscess, it's crucial to see a dentist as soon as possible. Depending on the severity of the abscess, your dentist will recommend various treatment methods to prevent the infection from spreading. All procedures should be performed by a licensed and experienced dentist.
- Abscess drainage may be applied. The dentist will use sterile instruments to drain pus from the infection site in a controlled medical environment. Remember, do not attempt any procedure at home.
- Root canal therapy may be the best option. This procedure involves removing the infected tissue from the tooth root and draining the abscess. It allows the dentist to treat the infection while preserving the tooth.
- If the infection is too severe, the dentist may recommend extracting the affected tooth. This method is typically used when the infection has rendered the tooth irreparable. After extraction, the dentist will drain the abscess and treat the infection.
- You will likely be prescribed antibiotics to prevent the infection from spreading to other teeth or the jaw. Antibiotics are used in combination with other treatments.
- It’s essential to maintain good oral hygiene to prevent abscesses. Floss daily, brush twice a day, avoid sugary foods, and schedule regular dental checkups.
Reducing Pain. After visiting the dentist for abscess treatment, you can take some home remedies to relieve pain caused by a dental abscess.
- Dissolve one teaspoon of salt in 240 ml of warm water. Use this solution to rinse your mouth after each meal and before bedtime to reduce inflammation and prevent infection.
- Take over-the-counter pain relievers. Pain medications like acetaminophen and ibuprofen can help reduce inflammation and pain. Be sure to follow the recommended dosage on the label, as taking too much can damage the liver and cause other health issues.
- Apply a cold compress. To reduce pain and swelling in your mouth and jaw, wrap a cold compress in a cloth and place it on the painful area of your face for 20 minutes, followed by a 20-minute break. Do not use a hot compress on a dental abscess, as heat can spread the infection.
Relieving Jaw Pain Caused by Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Disorder
Understanding the Causes of Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Issues. TMJ disorders can be caused by traumatic arthritis, osteoarthritis, or rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis is common in people over the age of 50. All forms of TMJ inflammation result in stiffness, pain, ear ringing, swelling, and limited range of motion.
Diagnosing TMJ Inflammation. Before treating TMJ inflammation, it’s essential to confirm that the issue is indeed arthritis. In most cases, X-rays or a CT scan can detect TMJ inflammation by showing the flattening and bone spurs in the condyle (the rounded protrusion at the end of the bone). However, in cases of traumatic arthritis, X-rays often do not detect it unless there is fluid accumulation or hemorrhaging, which could cause widening of the joint space, detectable by X-rays.
- Headache diagnoses such as cluster headaches, migraines, temporal arteritis, and stroke need to be ruled out before diagnosing TMJ inflammation, especially when there are symptoms of a headache.
Treating TMJ Arthritis from Injury. While it’s impossible to fully cure TMJ arthritis, there are several methods to alleviate jaw pain related to this condition.
- Many doctors recommend using non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to manage symptoms of TMJ inflammation caused by injury.
- Opt for soft foods to minimize jaw movement.
- Apply a warm compress for 20 minutes, then remove it and practice jaw movement exercises by opening and closing your mouth, followed by side-to-side motion. Repeat this process 3 to 5 times daily as needed.
- Consider wearing a mouthguard. This device may help some patients reduce pain or discomfort.
Treating TMJ Pain from Osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis in the jaw can be intensely painful, especially when the jaw begins to move. Several steps can be taken to relieve pain and treat symptoms.
- Wear a mouthguard or bite splint. TMJ patients may use these devices day and night to reduce pain and discomfort.
- Apply a warm compress for 20 minutes, then remove it and perform jaw exercises by opening and closing the mouth, followed by side-to-side motion.
- Stick to soft foods. Avoid tough or crunchy foods.
- Try over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen to reduce pain and inflammation when the pain is intense.
Treating TMJ Pain from Rheumatoid Arthritis. The approach to treating TMJ pain caused by rheumatoid arthritis is similar to treating pain in other joints. Common therapies include:
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
- Jaw exercises to maintain range of motion when pain is minimal.
- Cold compresses can help reduce pain and inflammation. Apply a cold compress to the painful jaw area for 20 minutes, then rest for 20 minutes.
- In severe cases, doctors may suggest surgery to prevent rheumatoid arthritis from limiting jaw function. Due to the risk of complications, surgery is considered a last resort after other treatment options have failed.
Using Medication to Treat All Forms of TMJ Arthritis. Pain relievers can be used to reduce pain and inflammation across all forms of TMJ arthritis. Consult with a doctor to determine the most suitable medications for your symptoms.
- Both prescription and over-the-counter pain relievers can help reduce pain associated with TMJ arthritis.
- Doctors may prescribe muscle relaxants for a short period (from a few days to a few weeks) to reduce pain and facilitate easier jaw movement.
- Doctors may also recommend sedatives to help you sleep at night if the pain disrupts your sleep.
- Supervised cortisol injections may be recommended by doctors to treat pain and inflammation.
Managing Unexplained Jaw Pain
Adjusting Your Diet. Avoid hard foods and those that require you to open your mouth wide, such as nuts, hard candies, tough baked goods, large fruits and vegetables like whole apples or raw carrots. It's also advisable to steer clear of chewing gum and taffy.
Changing Your Sleeping Position. If you tend to sleep on your side and experience jaw pain, you may want to switch to sleeping on your back to alleviate pressure on the jaw. Additionally, consider using a mouthguard to prevent teeth grinding during sleep, as this can contribute to jaw pain without you realizing it.
Using Pain Relievers. Over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help treat inflammation and other symptoms associated with jaw pain.
Trying Topical Pain Relief. Gels or pads containing benzocaine or similar active ingredients, which are available at most pharmacies, can help relieve tooth and jaw pain.
Exercising Your Jaw Muscles. Practice opening and closing your jaw, then moving it from side to side. Gradually increase the frequency of these exercises.
Apply hot or cold compress. Start with a hot compress first, but if it doesn't help alleviate the pain, switch to a cold compress.
- Place a towel under warm running water. Squeeze out excess water.
- Wait until the towel reaches a comfortable warm temperature that won't burn your skin, and apply it to the aching jaw area. Keep the hot compress on for about 5 minutes, and repeat several times daily.
- If the hot compress doesn't help, try a cold compress or ice pack. Apply cold for 20 minutes, then rest for 20 minutes. Be sure to wrap the ice pack in a thin cloth or t-shirt to avoid skin damage.
- You can alternate between hot and cold compresses to maximize benefits. Apply hot compress for 5 minutes, followed by 5 minutes of cold compress.
Suggestions
- Try brushing your teeth with a saltwater solution or a small amount of toothpaste.
- Regularly exercising your jaw muscles may help prevent jaw pain.
- Gently pressing on the jaw muscles can provide temporary relief from pain.
- Rinsing your mouth with a mixture of water and lemon juice for about 30 seconds can sometimes help ease the pain.
- Prepare a solution with three parts water to one part baking soda. Swish it around in your mouth for 30 to 45 seconds, then spit it out and rinse with cold water.
- Increase the amount of soft foods in your diet and always remember to chew slowly.
