Jaw pain can signal a serious condition. It may be a pain in jaw muscles or in the joint. It can affect both sides of your face but usually appears either as jaw pain in the right side area or jaw pain in the left side area. Treatment for the pain in your jaw in the Bronx, NY may require extensive work or simple techniques designed to ease tension. Regardless of where the pain is, consult a dental expert open on Saturday. The extra office hours make it easy to come in for a visit.
Your jaw joint is made up of bone above and below your mouth. The muscles, tendons, and bones comprise a complex system. Pain in jaw muscles or bones can present either as a dull ache or as severe pain. Unless you’ve suffered an injury, finding the cause sometimes takes a little dental detective work.
Most instances of jaw pain aren’t usually life-threatening and can be alleviated. Pain can occur on one or both sides of your jaw. Symptoms can include:
- A popping sensation when opening or closing your mouth
- Tooth pain
- Difficulty chewing
- General tenderness
Minor Concerns of Pain in the Jaw Area
Causes of minor jaw pain on the right side or the left encompass conditions that a top Bronx, NY dentist can easily correct, such as:
- Chewing gum. The habit of chewing gum frequently and for prolonged periods places strain on your muscles and tendons. These tissues can become inflamed and painful. Many people tend to chew gum on only one side or the other, causing an imbalance in jaw muscles. Eliminating gum chewing helps relieve the pressure and pain.
- Stress and anxiety. Many people hold tension in their face and jaw. When under stress, your tense muscles become painful over time. With anxiety, you may clench these muscles unconsciously, even during sleep. Addressing the situations causing stress — or stress reduction practices such as meditation, massage or yoga — helps loosen those muscles. Anti-anxiety medication is available from your family doctor.
Moderate Concerns of Pain in Jaw Muscles
Some causes of jaw pain on the left side or the right require more targeted treatments. These causes include the following:
- Rheumatoid or osteoarthritis results in swelling and discomfort in your joints, including your jaw. Along with prescription medications, you can take Omega 3 and glucosamine for relief. Avoid acidic consumables such as red meat, alcohol, white sugar and flour.
- Dental conditions. Several dental conditions set the groundwork for pain in your jaw. Badly fitting bridges, plates or false teeth strain your bite and muscles. Infection due to gum disease causes aching in your jaw. Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder results from misaligned or degenerating joints. Your dentist (open on Saturday) diagnoses and treats these conditions to relieve your pain.
- Teeth grinding. A more serious result of stress and anxiety is teeth grinding or bruxism. This unconscious habit, one of the most common causes of pain in jaws, can severely damage teeth. Your dentist or orthodontist Bronx may prescribe a mouth guard, especially for night use. During the day, practice stress reduction techniques and conscious deep breathing.
- Abscessed tooth. Abscesses occur when an infection reaches the pulp or center of your tooth. The tooth nerve pain can be severe. Abscesses result from neglected cavities or a loosened filling, which allows bacteria to enter the tooth. The nerve and root of your tooth sometimes transfer the pain to your jaw. Infection can spread throughout your body, so prompt treatment, including antibiotics, is necessary.
- Sinus problems. Sinusitis and other problems, such as viral infections, can affect your maxillary sinuses, which rest against your cheekbone. When they’re inflamed, you feel pain in your cheek and jaw. Addressing the sinus problems with your family doctor reduces your discomfort. Check your Saturday dentist hours and come in as soon as you can.
Major Concerns of Pain in Jawbones
Occasionally, jaw pain on the right side area or jaw pain on the left side area signals more severe conditions. Awareness of your medical history and careful monitoring can help diagnose and correct potentially serious problems quickly. Severe conditions include the following:
- Accidents, falls and sports injuries are a fact of life. If one of these results in a blow to your jaw, pain can be intense. The jaw could be fractured, broken or dislocated. Other facial injuries can direct pain to your jaw as well. Any time you’re hit in the face that causes significant jaw pain, seek medical attention right away.
- Another condition results from an infection that enters the bloodstream and affects bones and the surrounding tissues. Extreme cases can kill infected bones, so prompt medical attention is essential. Antibiotics or surgery may be required.
- Heart attack. The nerves of your jaw and the nerves of your heart run close together in your neck and face. If your heart starts to run out of oxygen, which is the beginning of a heart attack, the distress signals running down the nerves may be confused with the nerves in your jaw. If other signs of a heart attack occur or pain intensifies with shortness of breath, call emergency services.
Do you have any questions about the jaw pain relief treatment (pain in the jaw in the right or left side) procedure in the Bronx, NY? For more information or to schedule an appointment with the best rated family dentists, please contact our Bronx dental clinic for a consultation.