Common Causes of Jaw Pain
Do you have jaw pain? This common issue can be incredibly uncomfortable and make even the simplest tasks like eating, talking, or concentrating difficult. If your jaw pain is disrupting your daily life, we encourage you to consult with a dentist for some professional help and meaningful relief.
Why Does My Jaw Hurt?
Jaw pain can be caused by a number of issues. Two common ones we diagnose and treat are:
- Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ): This condition affects the joint connecting the lower jaw bone (mandible) to the temporal bone of the skull. You can actually feel your TMJ joint by placing your fingers on the area just in front of your ears and opening and closing your mouth. TMJ disorder can be caused or exacerbated by a number of problems including poor posture, stress, inflammatory conditions like arthritis, and a history of trauma to the face or jaw.
- Teeth grinding: Many individuals grind their teeth while they sleep at night, which can occur because of misaligned teeth or an abnormal bite. Teeth grinding may also occur alongside another sleep disorder, such as sleep apnea. In addition, teeth grinding is often caused by stress and anxiety. The medical term from teeth grinding is bruxism (how’s that for good trivia knowledge?).
Symptoms of TMJ Disorder and Teeth Grinding
Symptoms of teeth grinding or TMJ dysfunction include:
- Jaw pain, clicking, grinding, and popping
- Popping sounds or sensations in the ears, or ear pain
- Headaches
- Feeling as if the jaw becomes locked or stuck
You may also notice stiffness and soreness in your jaws or sensitive teeth.
Treatment for TMJ Pain and Teeth Grinding with Our Anderson Dentist
MW Dentistry & Esthetics offers individualized treatment for TMJ pain and teeth grinding. Treatments may include custom mouth guards that prevent nighttime teeth-grinding or Botox injections to alleviate pain and stiffness in the jaw muscles. If you have any damage to your teeth as a result of TMJ dysfunction or teeth grinding, we can also work with you to restore your dental health.
Don’t let jaw pain keep you up at night. Call us at (765) 643-5356 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Molly today!
