85 North Park Avenue Rockville Centre, NY 11570
(516) 763-4500
85 North Park Avenue Rockville Centre, NY 11570
(516) 763-4500
When your jaws are healthy, they function properly and without pain. However, it’s a very different story if there is something wrong with your jaw joints. Jaw pain can be significant and debilitating, affecting your ability to speak and even to eat comfortably.
Pain in your jaw can result from a wide range of issues. Usually, jaw discomfort and pain are caused by an injury, and often it is due to a problem with your temporomandibular joint. The most common causes of jaw pain include:
Your temporomandibular joints hinge your lower jaw in place and allow it to move comfortably from side to side and up and down. When there is a problem with these joints, it is called temporomandibular joint disorder, TMD, or sometimes TMJ.
TMD can be caused by the muscles controlling your jaws, an injury to the jaw joint, or arthritis in this joint. It can cause jaw pain on the right side, jaw pain on the left side, or both.
Pain in your jaw caused by damage to the jaw joints or muscles can be due to clenching and grinding your teeth (bruxism) or trauma. Most cases of jaw pain are due to TMD.
Your sinuses are located on either side of your nose, just above your upper jaw near your upper back teeth. They are air-filled cavities, but if infected due to bacteria or a virus, the sinuses can fill with mucus, putting pressure on the upper jaw and causing pain. If you have sinus pain, it’s worth seeing your doctor for a prescription to eliminate the infection and relieve the pain in your jaws.
Usually, cluster headaches cause pain around the eyes, but this can affect the jaw. A cluster headache is one of the most painful kinds of headache.
The trigeminal nerve provides sensation to the face, including the upper and lower jaws. If it becomes compressed, it can cause jaw pain.
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Heat or ice packs
Various home remedies can help relieve jaw pain, such as using moist heat packs to help relax tense jaw muscles. Using an ice pack can provide relief.
Medications
Over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen and ibuprofen can relieve discomfort.
Massage
You could try gently massaging the jaw using your index and middle finger to rub the area in front of your ear around the jaw joint or gently massaging the muscles in the side of your neck.
Exercise
Stress and anxiety can cause bruxism, so try to reduce your stress levels if this is the case. Exercising can be helpful, and other options include yoga and meditation.
Food to avoid
Try to avoid eating foods that are very tough or chewy, or too crunchy, which could strain your jaw joints. Some people find it helpful to avoid caffeinated foods that could contribute to muscle tension.
While it can be helpful to try non-invasive therapies first, if you still have jaw pain, please come and talk to us.
Our doctors can gently assess your jaw joints and facial muscles, take diagnostic x-rays, and if we think the problem is due to your temporomandibular joint, we can prescribe a suitable treatment.
It’s rare for surgery to be needed, and it is usually only considered when someone is in severe pain or has structural problems with the jaw joint.
Dr. Adam Shoukry, DDS, is a cosmetic dentist who strives to provide each of his patients with personalized care and educate them on the state of their dental health so that they can make informed decisions. Dr. Shoukry really enjoys his work and is committed to continued education, having attended several accredited courses in every aspect of dentistry.
Dr. Shoukry graduated from NYU College of Dentistry with a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree and then completed his general practice residency at Nassau University Medical Center. Being a member of the American Dental Association, the Academy of General Dentistry, and the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, Dr. Shoukry strives to provide comprehensive dental examinations, a full range of cosmetic treatments, and the best restorative oral health care available.