Causes Of Jaw Pain
- TMJ Disorders: Jaw joint issues causing pain, clicking, and stiffness.
- Dental Issues: Toothaches, gum disease, and misaligned teeth.
- Muscle Strain: Overuse, clenching, or injury causing jaw muscle pain.
- Other Medical Conditions: Arthritis, sinusitis, trigeminal neuralgia, and more.
- Trauma: Injury or surgery to the jaw or surrounding areas.
Symptoms of Jaw Pain
The most common symptoms of jaw pain are:
Headache
Incorrect jaw position can tire jaw muscles, causing spasms and symptoms like constant headaches, morning migraines, eye and sinus pain, and neck/shoulder pain.
Earache
Conditions like TMJ disorders, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid or psoriatic arthritis can lead to ear and jaw pain.
Neck Pain
The muscles and nerves around the jaw and neck are closely connected, so inflammation or tension in one area can easily affect the other.
Pain In Face and Jaw
This is the most common symptom of TMJ (temporomandibular joint) disorders, which are a group of conditions that affect the jaw joint and the muscles that control it. The pain can be on one side or both sides of the jaw, and it can be dull, aching, or sharp and stabbing.
Clicking/popping Of Jaw
Your jaw can pop in two ways. First, when you open your mouth wide, like when you yawn. This is normal and not usually a problem. Second, when you close your mouth and then open it again, like when you chew or talk. This happens when the cushioning cartilage in your jaw joint moves in and out of place.
Facial Swelling
In some cases, TMJ disorders can cause swelling in the face, especially around the jaw joint.
Trouble Opening/closing Mouth
Difficulty opening or closing your mouth, also known as limited mouth opening or trismus, is a common symptom of temporomandibular joint disorders (TMJ), which affect the jaw joint and surrounding muscles.
Trigeminal Neuralgia
The trigeminal nerve supplies sensation to your jaw, so its irritation can lead to electric shock-like pain in that area.
Tinnitus or Ringing in the Ears
Some TMJ disorders can irritate nerves near the jaw, triggering a buzzing or high-pitched sound in your ears.