BLOG Why does the jaw hurt? - Nakeji Dental Clinic

Why does the jaw hurt?

Have you ever wondered the reason for your jaw pain? Many times it can be from everyday situations such as yawning, sleeping with your mouth open or eating hard foods. While the pain may subside as the days go by, it can last up to six weeks. In this blog we discuss the main symptoms of TMJ pain syndrome.

What is TMJ pain syndrome?

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is the joint that makes the connection between the jaw and the skull, which is separated by a cartilage that prevents friction, however, when this happens, it causes pain and its original position is deformed. There are several causes for this condition, which will be described as follows

Causes of TMJ disorders:

Some of the symptoms of this condition are head, neck, ear and back pain. Bruxism (clenching teeth while sleeping) is the main cause of this disorder, which is related to stress.

As well as bruxism, there are other effects that cause it:

Absence of dental pieces.
Wear of dental prostheses.
Mandibular trauma.
Dental misalignment.

How to treat this disorder?

In this case, it depends on how high the level of discomfort in the affected area is. Examples of treatments include the following:

Joint lavage.
Medications such as analgesics, anti-inflammatory drugs, etc.
In more severe cases, open surgery is recommended.

Of course, it is important to see your doctor so that he/she can continue to follow up on your recovery.

Recommendations and advice

We share with you some basic indications:

Avoid eating hard foods, as they require a lot of effort from the mouth.
Avoid clenching teeth.
Massage the affected area (jaw).
Seek medical attention in case of aggravation of pain.

It is important to keep in mind that our health is the most essential thing to take care of. At Nakeji Family Dental we want the best for you and we want you to have the best smile.