Pain in Jaw When Opening Mouth

Jaw pain is unpleasant at best and debilitating at worst. If you are suffering from jaw pain when you open your mouth, it could be caused by a few different things, from arthritis to teeth-grinding. Learn what the cause of your jaw pain could be and when it might be time to consider getting medical attention.

There are indeed many reasons for jaw pain. It might manifest as discomfort in the temporomandibular joints that sit in front of each of your ears, connecting your jaw to your skull. It might be a throbbing pain with no apparent cause or pain that comes after head trauma.

Regardless of the cause – or seeming lack of one – here are some reasons you may be experiencing pain when opening your mouth and what you can do to limit it in the first place and treat it when it comes.

Temporomandibular Joint Disorder

Temporomandibular Joint Disorder, or TMJ, is one of the most common causes of jaw pain. One in eight people might have this disorder, and it is more prevalent in women. You may suffer from Temporomandibular Joint Disorder if you have sustained an injury to your jaw or have existing conditions such as arthritis.

This disorder, briefly mentioned above, concerns the joint that connects your jaw to your skull. A disc separates these bones for them to move seamlessly (cut to those looping videos in the dentist of the gaping and closing animated mouth).

If you suffer from this, you might experience a tender jaw, earache, and pain or clicking when you open your mouth.

Arthritis

Like all joint-related ailments, arthritis is always a possible cause of pain. We use our jaw when we eat, when we talk when we drink, and when we laugh. Therefore, our jaw joints get severe use over our lifetime and can eventually become inflamed or break down. 

Arthritis in your jaw is especially likely if you have arthritis in other parts of your body.

Teeth-Grinding

Unfortunately for those who subconsciously grind their teeth at night, this might be an accidental cause of jaw pain. Regular grinding can affect the temporomandibular joint and related muscles and cause facial and joint pain. Having misaligned teeth can be an indicator that you might be grinding your teeth.

Gum Disease

Sometimes, if gum disease goes untreated, it can work into the bone its nearby teeth sit so snugly into. This can cause severe pain in the jaw and other more serious side effects. 

Dental assessments or severe tooth infections that lead to gum disease can also cause jaw pain independent of gum disease. If you are suffering from either condition, it is likely you know it has to do with your oral health, as the pain can be acute. It is advised to seek your dentist’s help as soon as possible.

Treating Jaw Pain

Naturally, the treatment for your jaw pain will depend on what the cause of the pain is. You might need dental treatment, or you might need specialized medication – it does depend on where the pain stems from. 

If you suffer from Temporomandibular Joint Disorder, soft foods are recommended to be eaten, and a cold (or hot) press is applied to your jaw. 

For all of the above ailments, you can also do exercises to relax and strengthen your jaw muscles and take pain relievers, over-the-counter pain medication, and muscle relaxants. 

However, if you choose the latter, it is essential to consult with a medical professional before doing so.

Head pain is serious and debilitating in some cases, leading to severe headaches and other side effects that can limit daily life. It is so important to look after our bodies, which also applies to our oral health. Here are some ways you can prevent the onset of jaw pain before it becomes serious:

• Protect yourself from impact, whether this is wearing a helmet while out riding your bike or simply wearing a seatbelt in the car; these small measures might save you some severe pain later
• Look after your oral health! Brush, floss, rinse, and get regular checkups from your dentist.
• If you’re a night-tooth-grinder, consider what is causing you to do this – is it stress, or perhaps wearing night-time retainers? Addressing these issues is essential before long-lasting change is made to your mouth and jaw.

As is often the case with head-related pain, it can be connected to other underlying issues. 

For example, our ears and hearing health can make us feel nauseous or dizzy without us tying it to hearing problems. It is, therefore, always advised to consider what other factors may contribute to head-related pain. 

Hearing Associates of Las Vegas, for example, offers one-to-one hearing assessments designed to give a comprehensive look at what is going on in your ears. This process involves an initial consultation and a series of hearing and speaking tests before deciding the best course of action.

If you are experiencing persistent pain in your jaw and believe it might be connected to your ear and hearing health, head to your local hearing professional or consult a healthcare provider if you are experiencing unrelated jaw pain to explore treatment options.