Top Causes of Jaw Pain

Jaw pain can cause some serious problems and discomfort. However, if you’re experiencing significant jaw pain, you need to get to the root of the cause to eliminate what is hurting you.

There are a number of reasons why jaw pain might arise. Let’s take a look at some of the top causes of jaw pain – and what you can do to fix it.

Teeth Grinding

Teeth grinding is a relatively common behavior that many people unknowingly do in their sleep. Triggers of teeth grinding can include stress and anxiety, but it may also be the side effect of certain medications. Not only can teeth grinding lead to jaw pain, but it can also cause headaches and damage the teeth and enamel.

Mouth guards can help protect your teeth if you’re unable to stop grinding. Reducing stress or practicing relaxation strategies can also help.

TMJ

TMJ, which stands for Temporomandibular Joint Disorder, occurs in the joint between the skull and the jawbone. Pain from TMJ can extend to the neck, shoulders, face, and ears or even make it difficult for the individual to bite or open their mouth.

Dr. Anderson can help you diagnose TMJ and provide you with treatment options, including a night guard or medications.

Impacted Wisdom Teeth

If you haven’t had your wisdom teeth removed, they could be the cause of your jaw pain. If wisdom teeth become impacted, it can cause pain and swelling.

To reduce jaw pain, you’ll need to have your wisdom teeth removed and the infection will need to be treated with antibiotics. Dr. Anderson can ensure you get the dental treatment you need to reduce pain.

Jaw pain can be caused by a number of reasons. However, if you want to successfully treat your pain, you need to get to the root of the cause. The best way to do this is through scheduling an appointment with Dr. Anderson.

Regular checkups with Dr. Anderson can help you find oral health problems before they get too severe. Dr. Anderson can also help you find the right treatment options for your lifestyle and condition. Make an appointment by calling our Kansas City cosmetic dental office at 814.454.3336.