Dental News

Why Does My Jaw Hurt? Find Out Common Causes of Jaw Pain

June 9, 2017

Why Does My Jaw Hurt? Find Out Common Causes of Jaw Pain

If you suddenly have a sore jaw when you’re talking or eating, you may be scared. At California Dental Group, we find that most people try to wait it out and hope that it simply goes away on its own. However, if you notice that it doesn’t get better after a few days, or if the pain progressively gets worse, then it may be time to work with a California dentist.

There’s an easy way to find out why your jaw hurts

The best way to find out the cause of your jaw pain is simple: Make an appointment with California Dental Group. While we’re happy to provide the following information on common causes of jaw pain, the only way we’ll be able to tell what your issue is will be to examine you. Call us at (800) 407-0161 to set up your appointment so we can address your symptoms and find a solution.

Are you grinding your teeth?

Many people who grind their teeth at night have no idea they’re even doing it. However, teeth grinding can be serious. Not only will it wear down your teeth and damage your teeth, but it can cause the jaw pain you’re experiencing.

If we determine that this is the reason for your jaw pain, then there are several steps we can take. We may create a mouth guard for you to wear at night to protect your teeth. We may also go over options to reduce your stress – which often reduces teeth grinding. If your teeth grinding has already caused damage, then we discuss cosmetic dentistry options that could help repair your smile.

You may be suffering from TMJ disorder

When a person has a dysfunction in their jaw joint, they can end up with extreme pain when they open their mouth. If this pain comes along with a popping or clicking sound then it’s likely you’re dealing with a TMJ disorder. The good news is that in most cases a TMJ disorder will eventually go away. In the meantime, we can provide tools to help you manage your symptoms and reduce the pain.

It’s possible that you have an abscess

The inside of your tooth contains dental pulp. If it gets infected and the issue isn’t treated, then that infection can run rampant in your mouth. It can infect the bone and tissue in your mouth, and this can lead to jaw pain. The best way to prevent this is to visit your dentist at least every six months for your regular cleaning and exam. You should also make an appointment as soon as possible if you think you have decay or a cavity.

These are some of the reasons that you may be experiencing jaw pint. To find out what you’re truly dealing with, and to get relief, make an appointment with California Dental Group at (800) 407-0161 right away. We have a number of offices to ensure you can get help as conveniently as possible.

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