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Jaw pain

 
 

Jaw pain can quickly escalate from a mild annoyance to a persistent, disruptive ache. Don’t let yourself suffer from prolonged jaw pain — see a dentist.

If you’re suffering from pain in your jaw, you’ll probably agree it makes everyday tasks much harder than they should be. Just talking and eating can be painful ordeals when you’re battling jaw pain, let alone focusing on your daily tasks. Jaw pain can make it hard to open your mouth and radiate into other parts of your face and head, causing earaches and headaches too.

 
 

What causes jaw pain?

Everything in and around your mouth is connected, from the teeth themselves to the temporomandibular joint. There are all sorts of reasons jaw pain can occur, and the issue may not even be in the jaw itself.

One common and concerning cause of jaw pain is known as temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ). This disorder can result from trauma such as a sports injury, prolonged bruxism (or teeth grinding), arthritis or even genetics.

Other causes we’ve seen for jaw pain include:

  • Poor jaw or teeth alignment (malocclusion).

  • Heavy chewing

  • Dental infection

  • Stress or anxiety

  • Sinus infection

  • Impacted wisdom teeth

  • Heart attack, particularly when pain is on one side of the face

  • Tumours or cysts.

 

Symptoms of jaw pain

Persistent, throbbing pain in and around the jaw is the most obvious symptom of prolonged jaw pain, however it can also create other difficulties. Minor jaw pain, such as that cause from chewing something hard, will likely fade quickly and isn’t cause for concern. Throbbing pain that persists over a day or two is cause to see a dentist, no matter whether the pain is dull or sharp.

Where you experience jaw pain can vary depending on the cause. Your jaw pain may be localised to the left or right side of your face. This localised jaw pain may be more common following a tooth extraction on that side, as a result of severe tooth decay, or due to wisdom teeth impaction.

You might also find jaw pain can spread up to your ears, causing inflammation and further pain. Jaw pain can even spread downwards around the neck. Inflammation around this part of the face can make even simple actions like turning your head uncomfortable.

You should also look out for signs of popping or clicking in the jaw, or around the temporomandibular joint, which is where your jawbone connects to your skull, below your cheekbone and near your temples. This may be a sign of TMJ disorder, which should be diagnosed by your dentist.

Other common symptoms that accompany jaw pain are: 

  • Difficulty talking, eating or chewing

  • Jaw “locking” open or closed

  • Earaches, headaches and facial swelling

  • Swollen lymph nodes

  • Fever.

 

Treating jaw pain at home

Some jaw pain will pass with a bit of time and rest. If you’re just beginning to experience jaw pain and it is not currently severe, you may be able to alleviate some of the pain by taking an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory like ibuprofen.

Chronic jaw pain caused by bodily stress may be reduced through calming techniques such as yoga or meditation, or addressing major stress factors in your life. Reducing your intake of caffeine may also help to remove tension.

Sudden jaw pain, such as from an injury, may be reduced by applying ice or moist heat to the site of the pain.

Home treatment should only be used temporarily. If you’re experiencing constant or extreme jaw pain, it’s crucial to book an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible for a professional diagnosis.

 

When to see a dentist

If your jaw pain lasts more than a day or two, it’s time to see a dentist. Of course, if the pain is still new but especially severe, it’s a good idea to call Kowhai Dental and ask about an emergency dental appointment.

The sooner you book an appointment with Kowhai Dental, the sooner we can treat your pain. Request an appointment online or call us on 09 430 0707.

 

What to expect

When you come to Kowhai Dental for jaw pain, we’ll start by consulting with you about the severity and location of the pain, as well as any other symptoms you may be experiencing.

It’s important to think about exactly where the pain is and what you think could be causing it, as this can help us identify the issue sooner. Think about your answer to the following questions:

  • Have you suffered trauma to your face recently?

  • Is the pain localised to a specific area?

  • When did the pain start?

  • Have you noticed other symptoms, like earache or jaw popping?

  • Do you grind or clench your teeth?

Beyond these questions, we’ll most likely perform a full examination of your teeth and may need to take an X-ray. We can do this in our clinic during the same appointment, so there’s no need to worry about delays. 

Once we’ve identified the issue, we’ll talk you through your treatment options and help you decide what course of action you’d like to take.

 
 
 
 

Got questions?

How do I get rid of jaw pain?

The best way to treat jaw pain at home is to use an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory such as ibuprofen. However, there is no way to immediately get rid of jaw pain. The jaw may simply need some time and rest, or otherwise will need to be examined by a dentist.

What is TMJ pain and what does it feel like?

TMJ pain is pain related to the temporomandibular joints, where your jaw connects to your skull. These joints are responsible for a lot of complex movements in eating and talking, so get a lot of use.

TMJ pain may radiate from the joint itself down into the jaw and the ears. The pain is often dull and throbbing. You might also experience popping or locking of the jaw when opening or closing your mouth.

Why does my jaw hurt on one side?

Jaw pain on one side of the face may be due to a nearby dental cavity or infection, localised trauma, or an impacted wisdom tooth. In severe cases tumours or even heart attacks can cause jaw pain on one side of the face.

Why does my jaw hurt by my ear?

Your jaw connects to your skull at the temporomandibular joints, which are located next to each of your ears. TMJ disorder or pain due to heavy chewing may be felt most strongly at the joints.

Which side of the jaw hurts during a heart attack?

Jaw pain related to a heart attack is commonly reported occurring on the left side of the face, however can sometimes affect the right side instead. If you’re experiencing a heart attack, the pain will most likely be diffused and it will be harder to locate the exact site of it.

You may also feel dizziness, confusion, flushing and intense perspiration in the case of a cardiac event. If you suspect a heart attack, call an ambulance immediately.

Will jaw pain go away?

Most jaw pain will pass with time, and may be a case of overexertion of the jaw. If your jaw pain doesn’t go away with a bit of rest over one or two days, book an appointment with Kowhai Dental as soon as possible.

How can I relieve TMJ pain?

Some exercises and pressure points may help to reduce the pain of TMJ temporarily.

For a jaw relaxation exercise: Touch your tongue to the roof of your mouth just behind your front teeth, then gently open and close your mouth. Repeat as needed.

For a jaw pain pressure point: Place your thumb under your chin and apply pressure while opening your mouth. Hold for up to five seconds before closing your mouth.

What causes TMJ to flare up?

Teeth grinding, external trauma, excessive chewing and overextending the temporomandibular joint can all cause TMJ disorders to flare up and create jaw pain.

How should I sleep with jaw pain?

Sleeping on your back is often the most comfortable for those suffering jaw pain. Sleeping on your back offers better support for the head, neck and shoulders and doesn’t put pressure on your jaw. Most people are less likely to grind or clench their teeth when sleeping on their back.

Should I see a doctor or dentist for jaw pain?

The jaw is within the purview of dentists and orthodontists, so most issues around the jaw can be more easily diagnosed by a dentist.

While some causes of jaw pain such as cardiac events or tumours may be better treated by a doctor, your dentist is best equipped to identify most common causes and will refer you to a doctor if the issue is not dental.

Can a night guard make TMJ worse?

If you simply buy a sports guard from the supermarket, there is a good chance that it will worsen TMJ conditions. However, a professionally fitted night guard is designed to reduce teeth grinding, protecting the biting surface and temporomandibular joints.

What can a dentist do for TMJ?

There are a range of different treatment options for TMJ. Your dentist will talk you through the options available to you and help you decide what you’d prefer.

Some examples include orthodontics, such as a plate or braces to correct your bite. In some cases, a dentist may recommend filing and polishing existing teeth, or replacing missing teeth to likewise correct the bite.

 
 
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