Jaw Pain Causes – 5 Probable Reasons

Are you or a loved one suffering from any type of lower or upper jaw pain? Millions of people throughout the United States complain to their doctors and dentists about some type of jaw pain every year. The type of jaw pain they feel varies quite a bit. Many people complain about constant, throbbing pain in their mouth. Others complain about pain that comes and goes and is varied in its intensity. The type of jaw pain that a person feels is usually dependent on the root cause of the damage.

While jaw pain is so common, there are several different reasons why a person is suffering from it. So what causes jaw pain? Let’s take a look at a few common causes for almost everyone’s lower and upper jaw pain here:

5 Probable Jaw Pain Causes

Abscessed Teeth Caused By an Oral Infection

An abscessed tooth occurs when an oral infection digs deep enough into a tooth to reach the dental pulp or nerve. This usually occurs if a cavity in a tooth (or teeth) goes untreated for a long enough to allow the bacteria to reach this critical area. Once a tooth’s dental pulp is infected, it can spread to other neighboring teeth, bone, and other oral tissues. This can cause severe jaw pain that would need the care of a qualified dental practitioner to fix.

Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD)

Temporomandibular disorder, otherwise known as TMD, is a medical condition that attacks the temporomandibular joint, or TMJ, in the jaw. This disorder’s symptoms include jaw pain and can even cause “clicking” sounds when the sufferer is opening and/or closing their mouth. Occasionally, symptoms of the temporomandibular disorder can become so severe that the sufferer’s mouth can become permanently stuck in either an open or closed position.

Osteomyelitis

Osteomyelitis is a rare but serious medical condition that is caused by an infection traveling through the bloodstream, which attacks the sufferer’s bones and surrounding tissues. While osteomyelitis can attack bones anywhere in the body, if it attacks the temporomandibular joint in the jaw, the osteomyelitis can cause incredible pain, swelling, and even fever. Luckily, this illness is quite easily treated with a combination of antibiotics and any surgeries that may be necessary to remove bones that are too badly damaged.

Bruxism (Teeth Grinding)

Excessive grinding of the teeth, also known as bruxism, is one of the most common causes of jaw pain. While some grinding of the teeth is necessary during our daily routines (such as when chewing and eating), bruxism describes a condition characterized by involuntary and unnecessary grinding. Bruxism usually occurs when people don’t even realize they are doing it, such as when they are asleep, stressed, or aggravated. If the bruxism goes untreated, it can cause great jaw pain and a variety of other dental conditions. However, wearing mouth guards while sleeping and practicing stress-relieving techniques have shown great results against this condition.

Other Dental Weaknesses or Conditions

Many other oral conditions can cause some type of jaw pain. These conditions include cavities, gum disease, damaged teeth or other infections. While most of these ailments don’t affect the jaw directly, almost anything causing pain in your mouth can spread to your jaw. Even gaps between teeth can cause painful pressure in the jaw while chewing!

If you or someone you know are suffering from either lower or upper jaw pain, you need the help of a qualified dentist. Do you happen to live in the great Miami, FL area? Then call us at Gables Sedation and Family Dentistry! We are one of the top dental facilities in the area and would love to help you heal. If you need to set up an appointment, or if you are simply looking for more clarification on what causes jaw pain, please contact us, today!