What could be causing my jaw pain?

What could be causing my jaw pain?

March 10, 2020 12:06 pm Published by

There are several causes of jaw pain – from teeth-related causes to nerve or blood vessel problems and heart attacks. To receive treatment for your jaw pain, the diagnosis must be accurately made in order to treat the underlying cause.

Drs. Nicolas & Asp experts have compiled a complete overview detailing some of the most common causes of jaw pain as well as possible treatments.

Before delving into the conditions that may cause jaw pain, understanding some basics about the anatomy of the jaw helps put facts into perspective. The jawbone – also called mandible – is connected to your skull at a pair of joints called the temporomandibular joints (TMJs). These are located just in front of your ears, and allow you to open and close your mouth.


TMJ Disorder


This is the most common cause of jaw pain. Affecting up to 12% of people, only 5% seek professional help due to the severity of the pain. A TMJ disorder is more common among women, and women of childbearing age are most commonly affected by it.

Causes include arthritis or other conditions that may attack the cartilage that helps protect your joint, and the condition can also be made worse by stress.

Symptoms of TMJ disorder include: – Clicking sound when you open your mouth – Pain or aches around your jaw, ears or face – Persistent headaches – Ringing sound in your ears – Dizziness – Vision problems

What are some possible treatments for TMJ disorder?


Treatment plans for TMJ disorder may only be decided following an accurate diagnosis of the underlying cause. For this reason, seeking help from the best dentist in Dubai is highly recommended. To manage your symptoms, the TMJ specialist may prescribe some over-the-counter medications such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, as well as recommend some jaw muscle exercises to strengthen them. The TMJ specialist may also ask you to quit chewing gum or biting your nails or give you a plastic bite guard to prevent you from grinding your teeth. Further treatments such as surgery or prescription drugs may be needed depending on the cause and severity of the issue.

Other causes of jaw pain
Other reasons you may be experiencing jaw pain include:

  • Dental conditions: Gum disease, cavities, tooth gaps, damaged teeth, or abscesses can all lead to jaw pain. Thus, it is vital to visit your dentist so he can assess whether you need jaw inflammation treatment or any other type of treatment.
  • Teeth grinding and clenching: Experienced mostly during sleep, teeth grinding and clenching can lead to jaw pain and tooth damage. Increased emotional stress may also lead to teeth grinding.
  • Neuropathic pain: This type of pain occurs when nerves get damaged and keep on sending pain signals to the brain. The pain is long-term and can be continuous or occur from time to time.

Jaw pain can be debilitating and can affect your ability to eat, speak and sleep. If you experience jaw pain, seek help from the best dentist in Dubai and visit one of our dental clinics conveniently located at The Springs Souk, Jumeirah, Marina Walk, Souk Al Manzil and Uptown Mirdif.

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