No one likes to be in pain, especially if the pain affects their ability to eat and drink. Jaw pain can be a simple nuisance that over-the-counter pain relievers can take care of, or the pain can continue to grow until you look to a dentist for relief. If you are experiencing jaw pain, here are some possible causes.
Cavities
Cavities are one of the most common reasons for jaw pain. Once the bacteria that cause cavities eat through your tooth enamel, they can make their way to the center of your tooth, which is called the pulp. Your tooth pulp contains nerves and soft tissue, so once the bacteria enters the tooth pulp, it can cause an infection and tooth pain. A dentist can diagnose and fix your cavity, which will take away the pain in your tooth and jaw.
Tooth Abscess
If you have a severely infected tooth, the infection can also infect the gums or cheek tissue around the infected tooth. This causes a tooth abscess, which can be incredibly painful. You may even develop a fever. A dentist can treat an abscess, which will relieve your pain.
TMD
TMD, or temporomandibular joint disorder, happens when your jaw joint becomes inflamed. Some people experience TMD because of tooth grinding, accidents, or other trauma. If you have TMD, you may not be able to open and close your jaw easily. You can also have trouble chewing. Dentists may recommend anti-inflammatories, exercises, and night guards to help your jaw pain.
No matter what the cause of your jaw pain is, our dentists can diagnose and treat it. One of the best ways to make sure your jaw pain gets treated is to visit our dentists every six months. That way, we can keep an eye on any potential problems you might have with your jaw and take care of it quickly.
No one likes to be in pain, especially if the pain affects their ability to eat and drink. Jaw pain can be a simple nuisance that over-the-counter pain relievers can take care of, or the pain can continue to grow until you look to a dentist for relief. If you are experiencing jaw pain, here are some possible causes.