Jaw Pain Specialist

Why do I have jaw pain?

Jaw pain can range from merely uncomfortable to intense and debilitating, and it has many possible causes. Some of the most common reasons that you might experience jaw pain include:

Teeth grinding

Teeth grinding is the habit of clenching your jaw and teeth. It’s unrelated to chewing. You may grind your teeth when you’re stressed, or you may grind your teeth unknowingly in your sleep. 

Temporomandibular disorder (TMD)

TMD is a disorder of the temporomandibular joint, which connects your jaw to the temporal bones in your skull. 

Abscessed tooth

An abscessed tooth is a tooth that has been compromised by an infection of the dental pulp or dental nerve and has been left untreated. Without treatment, bacteria from the infection spreads to the tooth root and sometimes to the surrounding bone tissues.

You can also experience jaw pain as an indirect result of gum disease, cavities, gapped teeth, or badly damaged teeth that stress your jaw when you eat.

What are the symptoms of TMD?

TMD is one of the leading causes of jaw pain, and you can often recognize it by the following other signs:

• A clicking or popping sound when you open and close your mouth
• Tender jaw muscles
• Facial swelling
• Migraine-like headaches
• Earaches
• Pressure and pain behind the eyes

In severe cases, TMD can cause your jaw to temporarily lock, get stuck, or move out of place.

How do you treat jaw pain?

How Dr. Salehi treats your jaw pain depends on its origin. 

For example, if she discovers that you’ve been grinding your teeth at night, she may prescribe a night guard. Night guards are flexible teeth coverings that you wear over your teeth at night to stop you from clenching and grinding your teeth. 

If your jaw pain comes from a secondary condition, like gum disease, Dr. Salehi treats that first, and then follows up with you to make sure that your jaw pain has resolved itself.

At other times, you may need medication to help manage your pain. Regardless, when you come into Madison Family Dental Group for help with your jaw pain, the practice is ready to help you with a custom solution.

If you’re in pain, don’t wait to seek treatment any longer. Instead, reach out to Dr. Salehi at Madison Family Dental Group, where they use protective technology and stringent cleaning protocols to keep you safe. To learn more, reach out online or over the phone today.