What you must do if you’re experiencing frequent Jaw Pains?
Why does my Jaw hurt?
Jaw pain can be a warning for something as common as a toothache or possibly something more than that. Your jaw also holds your teeth and gums, which can be sensitive to heat, cold, or pressure. Abrupt pain on one side of your jaw can be alarming, but it’s normally not too serious. There are several possible causes of one-sided jaw pain which as discussed below.
What are the 4 possible causes?
Jaw pain could be caused by a jaw injury or a toothache, but an abrupt pain in the jaw could have other reasons too. A few of those causes are mentioned here-
Temporomandibular Joint disorder (TMD)
TMD is considered as the most prevalent cause of jaw pain. The temporomandibular joints are the hinge joints on either side of the jaw. Several things can cause TMD jaw pain such as:
Pain in the muscles that control the jaw movement
Injury to the jaw joint
A displaced disc
Arthritis
Tooth Pain Seldom certain severe tooth infections known as dental abscesses cause referred pain that affects the jaw as well.
Cluster Headaches generally cause pain that could be characterized by occurring behind or around one of the eyes, but the pain can radiate to the jaw.
Sinusitis The sinuses are air-filled cavities located close to the jaw joint. These are supposed to be congestion-free air spaces that can get filled with fluid, bacteria, and cause congestion and severe headache and jaw pain.
Relief tips for jaw pain
Tips for relief from jaw pain at the comfort of your home.
Use an ice pack. This helps in numbing the pain.
Try over-the-counter pain relievers. These pain medications can help relieve pain temporarily.
Choose eating foods that aren’t laborious to chew. This will help you in avoiding overworking your muscles.
Massage your jaw bone as this will help release the pressure on the bones and the muscles. They may be especially remedial for TMJ
If the root for your jaw pain is grinding or clenching your teeth, a condition called Bruxism, relaxation routines can help you dodge using this as a stress acknowledgement.
If you always happen to sleep on the same side this could put pressure on your muscles. Switching sides while sleeping will help ease the pain
Final Note
It isn’t the case that jaw pains are always serious but a persistent and abrupt jaw pain could be a warning sign for other underlying issues like Sinusitis, TMD, Toothache, cluster headaches etc.
It is important to visit your dentist if the jaw pain persists as your dentist will help you diagnose the underlying issue as self-medication will not be useful in the long run.
