Jaw Pain: When Your Teeth or Bite May Be the Cause

First, a safety check

Most jaw pain is dental or muscular. But pain in the jaw, especially on the left, can be a sign of a heart attack. Call 911 right away if jaw pain comes with chest pain or pressure, shortness of breath, sweating, nausea or pain in the arm or back.

Also go to the emergency department if your jaw was injured and won't close normally, or if swelling makes it hard to breathe or swallow.

Where jaw pain comes from

Your jaw has a lot going on. The lower jaw hinges at a joint just in front of each ear, called the temporomandibular joint or TMJ. Strong chewing muscles cover the sides of your face and temples. Your teeth sit in the bone, each with its own nerve. Pain from any of these can feel like jaw pain.

Sorting out which one is involved is the first job at a dental visit. The Ontario Dental Association notes that a general exam includes checking the jaw joint, the face and jaw muscles, and signs of clenching or grinding.

When a tooth is the cause

An infected tooth can send pain along the jaw, toward the ear or into the temple. A deep cavity, a cracked tooth, an abscess or an inflamed wisdom tooth at the back of the mouth are common dental sources. Clues that point to a tooth include pain when you bite or tap on a tooth, sensitivity to hot or cold that lingers, gum swelling or a bad taste.

These problems need dental treatment. Pain relievers may help for a while, but the infection stays until the tooth is treated.

Jaw pain on one side

Pain on just one side often points to something on that side: a tooth, a wisdom tooth, a single sore joint or a muscle that has been overworked. Chewing mostly on one side because another tooth hurts can tire the muscles there.

One-sided pain can also come from an ear or sinus problem. If a dental exam doesn't find a cause, your dentist may suggest seeing your doctor.

TMJ pain and TMD

Problems with the jaw joint and chewing muscles are called temporomandibular disorders, or TMD. The U.S. National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research describes TMD as a group of conditions, not one disease. Common signs include:

• Aching in the jaw joint, cheeks or temples, often worse with chewing
• Jaw stiffness, or a jaw that catches or locks
• Painful clicking, popping or grating when you open or close
• Headaches or pain that spreads to the face or neck

Can your bite cause jaw pain?

Many people are told their bite is to blame. The NIDCR says research does not support the idea that a bad bite or braces cause TMD. It also notes there isn't good evidence that making irreversible changes to the bite, by grinding teeth down, adding crowns or doing orthodontic work, treats TMD, and some of these changes may make things worse.

Your teeth can still play a part in another way. Clenching or grinding, often during sleep or stress, overworks the muscles and wears the teeth. That is a habit, not a bite flaw, and it is usually managed with simple, reversible steps. Clicking without pain is common and usually doesn't need treatment.

Jaw pain and headache: gentle self-care

Morning headaches at the temples, with tired jaw muscles, are a common sign of night-time clenching. The NIDCR notes many TMD problems are short-lived and improve on their own. Simple steps to try first include:

• Eat softer foods and cut food into small pieces for a while
• Use a warm or cool pack on the sore side, whichever feels better
• Notice daytime clenching and rest your jaw with lips together and teeth slightly apart
• Skip gum chewing and nail biting
• Try relaxation or breathing exercises, especially before bed
• Ask a pharmacist whether an anti-inflammatory such as ibuprofen is safe for you, and follow the label

Where a night guard fits in

If you grind or clench at night, a custom night guard protects your teeth from wear and chipping. The NIDCR notes that evidence for guards in treating TMD itself is limited, and that they don't change the bite. If a guard makes your pain worse, stop wearing it and tell your dentist.

If you're in Aurora or nearby and have ongoing jaw pain, Aurora Gateway Dental Care can check your teeth, jaw joints and muscles and talk through reversible options first. Call 289-475-5497 to book.

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