Is Jaw Pain Tooth Related?
The temporomandibular joint is the joint that connects the lower jaw to the skull on each side of the face, just in front of the ears, and is responsible for opening and closing the mouth. Most people have heard of TMJ disorder, which is a disorder that affects the jaw and causes inflammation and irritation that manifest as pain. Because of the location and functions of the temporomandibular joint, and the fact that the tissues and structures of the oral cavity are all interconnected, TMJ pain might be mistaken for dental pain. Additionally, problems with the teeth, particularly when they affect the bite, can lead to TMJ pain. In short, it can sometimes be challenging to determine whether jaw pain is related to the teeth or whether it is caused by something else. Your dentist can help discern the cause of your jaw pain and work toward a solution, but there might be some signs that will help you sort out the cause of your jaw pain at home, too. If jaw pain continues for more than a couple of days, be sure to see your dentist.
Symptoms of TMJ often include pain in the jaw that could range from mild to severe, aching or throbbing pain around the ears, and difficulty and discomfort while eating or chewing. When TMJ is severe, the jaw may even lock, making it nearly impossible, if not entirely impossible, to open and close the mouth. Because the temporomandibular joint is close and connected to so many muscles, ligaments, and nerves in the head and neck, it’s not uncommon for pain to radiate from the jaw to adjacent areas. Pain might spread upward, to the head, eyes, ears, and sinuses, and sometimes, pain spreads downward and outward, leading to pain near and around the teeth. This pain could be dull or sharp, throbbing or searing, constant or intermittent; in short, there is no one way that TMJ pain will manifest. This can cause people to believe they’re experiencing a toothache, as opposed to TMJ disorder. When TMJ disorder aggravates trigger points in the muscles in the oral cavity, these muscles become sore and tender, and this can also manifest as pain in the teeth.
Just as TMJ pain could make a person think they have a toothache, issues with the teeth can lead to TMJ pain. Certain dental procedures, like dental crowns or dental fillings, can affect a person’s bite, which could put undue strain on the jaw. When the jaw joint becomes inflamed due to this strain, it leads to TMJ pain. Usually, when the dental treatment is adjusted and the bite is restored to normal, the jaw pain will diminish, though uncorrected dental restorations and procedures could cause long-term TMJ pain. Severe toothaches, especially in the upper molars, could radiate pain to other areas of the face, possibly including the jaw joint, and fixing the toothache can be expected to resolve the TMJ pain. TMJ Pain can also be caused by clenching or grinding the teeth, which can have adverse effects on the teeth as well as the muscles of the jaw.
If you’re experiencing TMJ pain and are trying to figure out its source, check inside your mouth; see if you see any cavities or cracked or chipped teeth, which could cause pain, and check for infection, too. If you have a tooth infection, you may notice pus seeping from a tooth, and the infected tooth may cause a foul smell and taste in the mouth. If you notice that one or more teeth feels sensitive to extreme temperatures or very sweet food, you may have a cavity; once the cavity is treated, any related jaw pain should subside. When jaw pain is caused by TMJ disorders that arise due to stress, like grinding or clenching the teeth, sometimes relaxation techniques, massage, or rest can help relieve the pain. Your dentist can help you pinpoint the cause of your jaw pain and work with you to plan and implement treatment, so see your dentist if you experience jaw pain for more than a day or two. Catching grinding and clenching early can help avoid a cracked tooth, which can lead to extraction.