Creative Commons image by laudista (Flickr)
Have you ever woken up with pain in your jaw? Or maybe you’ve had pain that developed over a few days that you could not pinpoint. Is it your ear, your neck, your jaw, or a tooth? Here are some reasons your jaw might hurt, along with some tips on what to do about it and when to call a dentist or doctor.
Swimmer’s Ear
One surprising reason for jaw pain might not even stem from the jaw at all, but from the ear. If you swim often or otherwise find yourself with water in your ears frequently, you could be at risk for this very painful, but also very treatable, condition. Jaw pain that is actually stemming from the ear might hurt when you open and close your mouth, but it will definitely hurt when you tug on your outer ear. Pressing around where your jaw meets your earlobe will often bring about more pain. Other symptoms can include an itchy ear canal, clear discharge from the ear, and, in some cases, muffled hearing.
If you suspect swimmer’s ear, see a doctor promptly. Left unchecked, it could spread, but it’s usually easy to treat with prescription eardrops.
TMJ Problems
The joint that connects your jaw to your skull is called the temporomandibular joint, or TMJ for short. Pain in front of the ears where this joint is located can be caused by disorders of the joint. These disorders can be acute or chronic, and can be caused by anything from grinding your teeth, to arthritis, to an irregular movement of the ball of the joint. The main symptom is pain on one or both sides of the jaw. You might also have trouble opening your mouth all the way or feel clicking when you open or close your mouth.
If you think you might have a TMJ disorder, make an appointment with your dentist. He or she can advise you on how best to treat it, based on the cause. In some cases, a nightguard to prevent clenching and grinding can help, as can relaxation exercises and medications. You might need dental work if a faulty bite is to blame, or, in severe cases, surgery.
Tooth Problems
If you have an abscess or infection in your jaw from a decayed or dying tooth, it can cause jaw pain and swelling. Some patients are surprised to find that pain on the lower jaw is caused by an abscess on a top tooth, or vice-versa; pain can be referred from the upper to lower jaw on the same side of the face. If the swelling and pain is accompanied by fever or a feeling of general malaise, this can indicate a serious infection.
See your dentist promptly if you have severe pain or swelling, as an infection can quickly spread through the bloodstream and become a serious health matter.
If you are having jaw pain, make an appointment right away so we can get you treated and back to enjoying being pain-free.
