Don’t Ignore Jaw Pain
Jaw pain. You may notice a slight twinge here or a dull ache there. You probably push it out of your mind, pop a pain reliever, and you don’t think much about it until it happens again. But, this time, it’s more intense, or it’s happening more frequently, or its in combination with other symptoms such as clicking, popping, snapping, or your jaw is stuck open or closed.
If jaw pain is left untreated, it can snowball into a significant problem. For many people living with temporomandibular joint disorder, jaw pain does start a small twinge but can develop over time into intense pain that can make you stop in your tracks and disrupt your day-to-day living. Dr. Korous at Millennium Smiles in Frisco, Texas, can help to identify the cause of your jaw pain and design a treatment plan to get you back to living comfortably.
Common Causes of Jaw Pain
What are the most common causes of jaw pain? One of the primary causes, as we mentioned above, is temporomandibular joint disorder, or TMD.
Issues with dental health
Injury or trauma to the jaw
Health conditions that affect the joints, including osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis
TMD
TMD develops when the jaw joints are stressed. Stress on these joints comes from a variety of factors, but most commonly an unbalanced bite. When the bite is unbalanced due to crowded teeth, missing teeth, or malformed jaws, abnormal stress puts pressure and strain on the temporomandibular joints (TMJs). This stress results in pain, swelling, and stiffness.
The condition develops in one in eight people and affects more women than men.
The most well-known symptoms of TMD include jaw pain, headaches, unexplained ear, and facial pain, vertigo/dizziness, popping, clicking, and snapping when the jaw and jaw stiffness. Untreated TMD can also result in the jaw being stuck open or closed.
Dental Problems
Dental health issues can also cause jaw pain. These conditions, such as cavities, tooth decay, gum disease, sensitive teeth, fracture, chipped, and cracked teeth or teeth that are crowded, can contribute to a painful jaw. If you’re experiencing any of these situations or jaw pain in general, it’s a good time to call Millennium Smiles in Frisco, Texas.
Joint Conditions
Your jaw joints are not immune to the effects of arthritis. When these joints are affected by wear and tear from use or aging, the cartilage in the joints wear down, causing pain. Some forms of autoimmune arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis, directly impact the joints and attack joint tissues.
Are you experiencing jaw pain? Call Millennium Smiles in Frisco, Texas, at 972-468-8771 today to schedule an appointment.