Jaw pain is often a sign of something less common – such as a cold or something more serious – such as a serious tooth infection, a herniated disc, a bone tumor or even a stroke. The lower jaw, or jaw bone, actually connects to the skull at a set of joints called the temporomandibular joint, or TMJ.
If there's a problem with this joint, it may cause pain and even damage nerves that travel from this point to the brain
When this happens, it can severely interrupt your ability to move your jaw properly, causing jaw pain. So, if your temporomandibular joint is painful, it could be that you're experiencing a disorder in this area.
If your temporomandibular joint is damaged or has become damaged, you could experience a number of different problems. First of all, you could have jaw pain that radiates down your neck and shoulder area. You might also experience headaches, difficulty chewing, numbness in your fingers, ears and lips. If you have any of these problems, you should seek medical attention immediately. Also, if you have an abscessed tooth, you should seek medical attention right away.
Tooth decay is another possibility, as is a tooth infection. In either case, you should immediately seek medical attention and get a recommendation for proper treatment and possible medications.
In more serious cases of jaw pain, the temporomandibular joint may rupture. This can be caused by overuse of the joint (as in a pull on a tooth), arthritis, a bone tumor, or even a severe trauma. If your temporomandibular joint becomes damaged and unable to move properly, it could result in a serious injury to the jawbone.
When jaw bone is damaged or pulled from its position, it is referred to as an adductor tear. The damage can affect the muscles surrounding the jawbone. The muscles of the jaw may also become weak or become sprained. If your temporomandibular joint becomes damaged and your muscles are strained, you will likely experience pain in your face, neck, jaw, shoulder or jaw area.
Temporomandibular joint disorder can also be caused by an underlying disease
For example, osteoarthritis is a very common condition that causes pain along the jawbone.
While jaw pain is not usually dangerous, it does have serious problems that require medical attention. So if you think you may have a problem with your temporomandibular joint, see your doctor as soon as possible.
To help relieve pain, your doctor may recommend wearing a splint or an adhesive bandage on the temporomandibular joint while you sleep. If your jaw pain is due to a condition such as arthritis, your doctor may prescribe an anti-inflammatory medication to take orally.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are commonly prescribed to relieve symptoms of arthritis. If your pain is mild to moderate, you may only need these medicines as needed. If your pain is severe, you may need to take a more powerful pain reliever medication. to reduce inflammation.
One medication commonly used to treat temporomandibular disorder is an NSAID, which stands for non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. These are usually taken orally or by injection.
These drugs are typically used for mild to moderate pain, and are not prescribed to relieve severe or chronic pain. They work by reducing inflammation, which can cause pain, swelling and stiffness. These drugs are also used to treat other conditions, such as gout, a kidney disorder and muscle cramps. It is important that you talk to your doctor about the risks and side effects of taking any type of pain reliever.
In addition to pain relievers, these drugs are sometimes prescribed to provide temporary relief to prevent complications of temporomandibular disorders. Some of them include aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen. Be sure to discuss any medication you are taking with your doctor before using it to help avoid any adverse reactions. and keep in mind that taking too much of any drug or taking more than is prescribed may cause some undesirable side effects.