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Can jaw pain be related to dental issues?

Woman having jaw pain

Jaw pain is a debilitating condition that can happen all of a sudden. It’s uncomfortable, painful and can start off mild and become more intense over time. The best dentists in Mumbai suggest that the first step in treating jaw pain is to identify the underlying issue. Jaw pain can be caused by the sinuses, ears, teeth or jaw itself. Here we will be throwing light on how jaw pain is related to tooth issues.

 Few causes to look out for are:

Teeth Grinding

man grinding teeth

Teeth grinding which is also known as bruxism and jaw clenching, is related to stress and anxiety. It might lead to facial pain, jaw pain, headache and also wear of teeth over time. According to the best dentists in Mumbai, it’s a subconscious behaviour pattern, as people doing so are usually unaware of it. It often happens during sleep, or under stress or while concentrating. It can lead to various dental issues if left untreated.

Practicing stress relieving exercises or wearing a mouthguard or nightguard are just some of the ways to stop grinding.

Dental Conditions

Tooth decay before and after picture

Certain dental conditions such as dental cavities, gum infections etc can radiate pain to the jaw and cause jaw pain ranging from mild to severe pain in the jaws. Although they are not directly related to jaw pain but are one of the associated factors observed in patients as suggested by the best dentists in Mumbai. They exaggerate chewing and biting. Getting the infected teeth and gums treated by the dentist can relieve jaw pain.

Abscessed Tooth

An abscessed tooth occurs due to infected dental pulp or nerve that is left untreated for an extended period. The bacteria from the infection can spread from the root of the tooth and affect its surroundings such as bone tissues, causing significant jaw pain. According to the best dentists in Mumbai getting the infected tooth treated at the earliest is the only way to avoid the dental causes of jaw pain. There are various other non-dental-related problems associated with jaw pain.

There are various other non-dental problems that you can associate with jaw pain.

Osteomyelitis

Osteomyelitis is an infection that travels through the body’s bloodstream affecting an individual’s bones and any surrounding tissues. When an individual suffers from osteomyelitis of the jaw, the temporomandibular joint or TMJ is at strike causing jaw pain, fever, and facial swelling. 

Temporomandibular muscle disorder 

Temporomandibular disorder affects the temporomandibular joint. In addition to pain, this disorder can cause the jaw to make a clicking sound when opening the mouth or chewing. In severe cases, the disorder can even cause the jaw to become permanently stuck in an open or closed position.

Cluster headaches

This typically causes pain behind or around one of the eyes, but the pain can radiate to the jaw. 

Sinus problems

Sinuses are inflammation present near the jaw joint. Once there is an infection, they might secrete excess mucus/pus that can put pressure on the jaw and can radiate pain to the jaw.

Trigeminal neuralgia

A trigeminal nerve that provides sensation to a large portion of the face, including the upper and lower jaws. The best dentists in Mumbai state that pain along the course of this nerve due to various other reasons can lead to extreme unbearable pain to the entire region of the face including the jaw.

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