You Need to Hear This About Jaw Pain

Experiencing jaw pain is not uncommon. Often you can experience jaw pain that ranges from only slight discomfort to intense and incapacitating pain if you have had a blow to your jaw. If you are experiencing jaw pain in Fair Oaks, Shiva Salehi, DDS, leads a team of experienced jaw pain specialists who can help you. The pain can be managed by first locating the cause and tailoring a treatment procedure that best suits your needs. However, you need to know the following about jaw pain.

Why You Have Jaw Pain

The fact that jaw pain does not only occur due to a blow to your jaw or injury makes it necessary to dig deeper into what can cause the pain. Although experts have found many possible causes of this pain, the following are some of the most common ones.

• Teeth Grinding

This is a habit of clenching your jaw and teeth and can be the underlying cause of your jaw pain. Teeth grinding is so different from chewing as it can happen involuntarily due to stress or while you sleep.

• Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD)

This is a disorder that affects the temporomandibular joint and, as a result, causes pain in your jaw. This is because the joint connects the jaw to your temporal bones in the skull and, therefore, it affects both your head and jaw.

• Abscessed tooth

If you have a tooth that has been compromised by pulp or dental nerve infection and is untreated, it can be the reason behind your jaw pain. This is because the bacteria can spread through the tooth root to your jawbone.

• Others

Other factors cause your jaw pain indirectly. They include cavities, gum disease, and gapped teeth. Severely damaged teeth can also cause pain as they can stress the jaw while you eat.

Symptoms and Complications Related to Jaw Pain

Note that the accompanying and specific symptoms of jaw pain can vary depending on the cause of your condition. However, these are the most common effects you might feel:

• Joint and muscle tende ess
• Facial pain that worsens when you use your jaw
• Jaw alignment issue
• A limited range of motion
• Popping or clicking sound when opening your mouth
• Earaches
• Ringing in the ear
• Pressure behind the eyes
• Headaches

If you experience such signs, please seek expert care as soon as possible. If you don't seek medical attention, some complications may arise, including infections, dental complications, emotional distress, loss of appetite, and ongoing pain.

How Jaw Pain is Diagnosed

Your provider can ask you about your symptoms and carry out a physical exam. A blood test and an imaging study can also be recommended for a more detailed diagnosis. Your provider is convinced that an underlying condition can cause your pain; a specific test for that condition can be carried out.

How Jaw Pain is Treated

In most cases, the treatment for your pain depends on the causes. However, the common treatments available include medications, physical therapy, and some dental treatment options. Your provider can also recommend some home and alte ative remedies to complement your treatment and produce optimal results.

If you are in pain, don't let it affect your life's quality. Contact your provider at Madison Family Dental Group and receive the necessary diagnosis and treatment.