What is the Reason for Jaw Pain?
Jaw pain is extremely frustrating. You may simply wake up to jaw pain in the morning or you may experience it throughout the day. Whatever the case may be, if you are experiencing jaw pain, you’ll want to figure out what is causing it so you can address the issue.
What is the Reason for Jaw Pain?
There are a variety of reasons you may be experiencing jaw pain. These include (but are not limited to):
* Teeth grinding
* Poor jaw alignment
* Stress
* Dental infection
* Bruxism (teeth grinding)
* Injury
* And more
These different issues have their own unique solutions. If you happen to know what is causing jaw pain but don’t know how to address it, you can speak with your dentist for the solution. Otherwise, you should speak with your dentist to better determine what the issue is so it can be addressed.
What is Bruxism?
Bruxism is a pretty common ailment that involves clenching of the teeth at night. The reason for this is often stress. Over time, bruxism can cause major long-term damage, such as worn-down teeth, hearing loss, cracked teeth, and more. If bruxism isn’t treated, it can lead to TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint Disorder). This is a serious disorder in which the jaw becomes unhinged.
How Can Jaw Pain be Avoided?
There are a few things that you can do to avoid jaw pain:
* Be careful when playing sports. Jaw pain can be a result of an injury while playing a sport. Be careful when playing sports, even if they have minimal contact.
* Visit your dentist regularly. A dental infection can lead to pain in the jaw. Make sure you visit your dentist regularly for cleanings and checkups, so they can treat any infection and prevent infections in the future.
* Reduce your stress. Consider different relaxation techniques to reduce your stress (and in turn reduce clenching of the jaw). This may include meditation, therapy, and exercise.
* Seek treatment quickly. If you are experiencing discomfort in your jaw, don’t wait around and hope it goes away. Set an appointment with your dentist so they can figure out what is causing the pain. From there, the issue can be addressed.
How to Treat Jaw Pain
There are a few things that you can do to treat jaw pain at home. If you are clenching your teeth at night, consider purchasing a night guard. To alleviate the symptoms of jaw pain, you can take over-the-counter medication like ibuprofen.
If the jaw pain is a result of stress, consider yoga, meditation, and other calming practices. You also may want to cut back on caffeine.
Speak with Your Dentist
If you are experiencing short-term jaw pain, you may be able to try the methods above to resolve the issue. If the problem persists or becomes worse, though, you’ll want to set an appointment with your dentist. They can take a look at your teeth, gums, and jawbone to get to the root of the issue. From there, they can put together a treatment plan for you.