Jaw pain refers to an uncomfortable feeling or the popping sensation that is associated with tooth pain, tenderness, aching of the other areas of the neck or face, and difficulty in chewing. In most cases, this condition is also known as the temporomandibular joint disorder. Jaw pain is a common day disorder that is caused by a number of factors. The following are some of the common causes of jaw pain/tenderness:
1. Teeth grinding
Teeth grinding is the major cause of jaw pain. This is because it causes severe damage and destruction to your teeth. In this case, you just find yourself clenching your teeth for nothing. That means you just grind without anything to chew. According to psychological studies, stress is the main cause for many people who grind their teeth. On the other hand, some of the people grind their teeth unaware especially when they are asleep. It is, therefore, imperative to keep the best practices in place that will ensure that this destructive behaviour is done away with so as to curb the consequences that otherwise may lead to other dental issues.
2. Temporomandibular disorder
Temporomandibular disorder abbreviated as TMD is another serious cause of the jaw pain. The temporomandibular joint is the part that is affected by this disorder that then causes the aching of the jaws. Apart from the aching, you will also feel clicking sound from the jaw every time you are chewing and whenever you just open your mouth. When this condition is not treated, it may even cause the jaws to be stuck permanently closed or open.
3. Osteomyelitis
Osteomyelitis is a condition that is caused by an infection that is then spread throughout the body via the blood streams. This condition, therefore, affects the bones and the tissues that surround the bones. In this case, the osteomyelitis that affects the jaws and the temporomandibular joint is seriously affected thus causing much pain on the jaws and other conditions that include the facial swelling and fever. It is, therefore, important to look for the necessary treatment for this condition. Luckily, there are proven antibiotics and surgical procedures that have worked in curing and removing the affected areas of the bone.
4. Abscessed tooth
Abscessed tooth results from a dental pulp or just an infected nerve. This serious condition happens due to the prolonged dental cavity left untreated. In this case, the bacteria that caused the infection can easily spread through the root of the tooth to the bone tissues in the surrounding and thus causing the aching of the jaw. One of the best practices to take control of this condition is to do regular dental check. By doing this, you will surely avoid this awful and painful condition of the jaw.
5. Dental conditions
Jaw pain can also be caused by other dental conditions that include cavities, gum disease, and abscess among other conditions. The other dental condition that may cause jaw pain is the teeth arrangement. In this case, psychologists connect the lines between stress, chewing, and teeth damage. When this happens, people who have gaps between their teeth are the most affected since their teeth can get damaged easily and thus cause jaw pain. Dental conditions such as gum disease and cavities can be reduced through practicing the best dental care or oral health care. The other conditions that are caused by stress can be prevented by practicing stress management.
How to prevent jaw pain
Perhaps you are a victim of this condition and looking for the best and effective solution. Fortunately, you have just landed on the most sought after solutions that can help you deal with jaw pain or tenderness fruitlessly for good. Therefore, the following are some of the preventive measures that you should make it your best practice:
· Wear a night guard. A night guard is important in a number of ways. It is an effective tool that can help stop you from damaging your teeth, crowns, dentures, and the jaw. It also serves in stopping jaw aching, and in giving you a good night sleep. Therefore, when you wear a night guard every day before going to bed, the harmful effects that result from clenching and grinding are greatly reduced.
· Medication. This is also another effective way to curb jaw pains. Medications involve a number of things. First, you can do it as a practice by visiting a dentist for regular teeth check. Secondly, you can eliminate jaw pains by taking muscle relaxants or other anti-inflammatory or pain relieving medication.
· Take time to relax. As mentioned earlier in this article, one of the causes of jaw pains or tenderness is stress. Therefore, taking a time to relax is a way of relieving muscle tension and thus is an effective practice for eliminating jaw pain.
· Change your diet. If what causes aching on your jaw is grinding, then you can at least change to avoid hard foods that require you to stretch your mouth. These foods can include nuts, larger vegetables and fruits, hard baked cakes, and hard candy among others.
Why can jaw pain happen on one side of the mouth?
Jaw pain can happen on one side of the mouth depending on a number of factors. In this case, as mentioned, the causes include teeth grinding, abscessed tooth, and dental conditions among others. Therefore, when one side of the jaw suffers grinding, the pain results from that side. In addition, dental conditions such as cavities and gum diseases that affect only one side cause only pains in the side that is affected and that are why jaw pain can happen on one side of the mouth.
Another reason that causes aching on one side of the jaw is one side. That means sleeping without changing position. Therefore, it is important to maintain the right sleeping posture to avoid building pressure on one side of the jaw.
Jaw pain/tenderness during that happens during the day is a condition that can be managed. With the above causes, it will be good for you to identify the cause so that you can proceed with the right treatment.