Jaw Pain Causes

You have been experiencing pain in your jaws for the past two days. Though you have been taking over the counter painkillers, it does not give you anything more than a momentary relief. In such conditions, it is necessary to go to the doctor, preferably a dentist as soon as possible who can try to understand the root cause of the problem. Jaw pain can be caused due to various reasons. These jaw pain causes can be divided into two types: one is the primary jaw pain causes and the other is the secondary jaw pain causes. Primary jaw pain is when the main problem lies in the jaw itself i.e. in the teeth, jaw muscles, ligaments or in the joints. The secondary causes of jaw pain occurs when the problem lies in some other part of the body.

What Causes Jaw Pain?

When an individual goes to the doctor for treating jaw pain, he will prescribe some painkillers to subside the pain. The dentist will check for primary causes of jaw pain and if he finds none, he will recommend the patient to a specialist who can find out the exact cause of jaw pain.

Primary Jaw Pain Causes

• One of the main causes of jaw pain is injury or inflammation on the joint of the jaw which is known as temporomandibular joint disorders. The jaw joints lie just in front of the ears, on both sides of the head where the upper and lower jaw come together. These joints with the help of muscles and ligaments surrounding it, make us unable to make movements with our mouth like talking, chewing, yawning, etc. When an injury occurs to these joints, jaw pain is said to occur along with other symptoms like headache, earache, neck pain, etc.
• Many times after lots of teeth are removed, there will be a difference in the way the teeth will meet while biting. This condition which is known as malocclusion is also one of the causes of jaw pain. Sometimes, dislocation of the joints caused by jaw injuries can give rise to jaw pain, and the person may not even be able to open and close his mouth properly.
• The appearance of bones or bony outgrowths around the jaws, especially on the joints, is said to be one of the reasons that can cause jaw pain. Arthritis in the jaw is another important cause of jaw pain, and is something that is commonly seen in old people.
• Dental problems are one of the major causes of jaw pain. People suffering from toothache as well as cavities in their teeth may experience pain in their jaw. During stressful situations, people are very likely to clench the muscles of the mouth tightly, which can cause damage to the tissues of the muscles, subsequently leading to muscle pain. Even the habit of constant nail biting can be one of the jaw pain causes.
• Tetanus disease can also be one of the reasons for jaw pain. Tetanus is a rare, but a severe disorder which is caused due to some kind of bacterial infection. The bacteria that causes tetanus spreads on the muscles of the jaw and the mouth, due to which they tighten. If this is not given immediate treatment, the condition of the person can become very severe as the mouth may get completely shut, because of which he may not be able to breathe.
• Apart from these, people who have the habit of grinding their teeth may also experience jaw pain. Many people have a habit of grinding their teeth during night and sometimes also during the day. Too much of grinding may cause extra pressure and stress on the muscles and joints of the jaw, thus leading to damage as well as pain in the jaw. Sudden injury to the jaw or even to the chin has the ability to cause jaw pain.

Secondary Jaw Pain Causes

The secondary causes of jaw pain are those that do not have any relation to the jaws, and are triggered due to problem in some other area of the body. In some of these cases, jaw pain may appear as the symptom for the main problem. Migraine is one such disease where the person, along with a severe headache, may also experience pain in the joints. The main reason is said that when the individual has headache, he is likely to grind his teeth with force, giving rise to jaw pain as well. Even people who have sinus infection can experience the problem of jaw pain. Shingles, which is a viral infection, can be the cause of jaw pain, while pain in the jaw can also be a symptom of an impending heart attack.

You can also read more on dental care and joint pain.

Looking at the jaw pain causes, you must have surely realized that a simple jaw pain can have serious consequences. Therefore, the next time you experience pain in the jaw, do not wait for it to subside on its own, instead visit your dentist immediately for appropriate treatment which will relieve you from the excruciating pain.