Plagued by Jaw Pain? 3 Reasons You Shouldn’t Ignore It

A persistent ache in your jaw can one day turn into full-blown pain. You might also have trouble opening your jaw to chew food or speak. If you’re experiencing an ongoing jaw ache or sudden pain, it’s critical that you don’t ignore it.

Park Dental NYC specializes in diagnosing and treating jaw-related conditions, including temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders.

YooKyung Park, DDS, and her skilled dental team use advanced diagnostics to understand the source of jaw pain. They also design a custom care plan to correct jaw issues so that you can achieve lasting pain relief.

Common reasons why your jaw might be hurting

Persistent jaw pain may be a warning sign of underlying conditions like:

Tooth problems

Decayed teeth can play a role in jaw pain. An abscessed tooth can also contribute to pain if the infection moves into the jawbone.

Additionally, structural problems with the teeth, such as misaligned bites, can also lead to chronic jaw pain.

Bruxism (teeth grinding)

Grinding or clenching your teeth puts excess pressure on your jaw joints and muscles, leading to occasional or persistent pain.

Jaw injury

Falls, sports injuries, and other unexpected events can cause the dislocation of one or both jaw joints. Trauma to the jaw can also lead to bone fractures or tears in the soft tissues that support the jawbone.

TMJ disorders

A TMJ disorder develops when the jaw joints break down because of teeth grinding, trauma, or arthritis. Repetitive habits like gum chewing and nail biting can also increase risk factors of a TMJ disorder.

3 consequences of untreated jaw disorders

If you have a TMJ disorder or other jaw issue that remains untreated, it can progress to a more complex problem that’s difficult to treat without surgery.

Three common consequences of untreated jaw issues include:

1. Jaw dysfunction

Chronic jaw issues can lead to a locked jaw and intense jaw pain. Once your jaw locks, you may not be able to open or close your mouth, making eating, speaking, and other activities extremely difficult.

2. Tooth loss

Untreated jaw conditions can lead to tooth loss due to premature enamel wear, increasing the risk of cavities. Your teeth can also wear down prematurely, making them vulnerable to cracks and tooth instability.

3. Chronic headaches

Overly tight jaw muscles can strain the nerves and joints in the face, jaw, and neck, leading to tension-related headaches and migraines.

How we treat jaw pain

There are several treatments we offer to treat jaw pain that stems from a TMJ disorder, trauma, or dental problems. Our team customizes a care plan focused on the least invasive treatment to relieve pain and address the underlying cause.

Dental care

If jaw pain results from a decayed or infected tooth, our providers will create a treatment plan to address your dental issues and restore your oral health. For severely damaged teeth, extraction may be necessary.

Physical therapy

If you have tight jaw muscles or bruxism-related pain, our team may refer you to a physical therapist. Therapy aims to improve jaw flexibility and mobility to relieve pain and prevent further damage.

Oral appliances

Oral splints or custom mouthguards can help stabilize the jaw during the day or at night when you’re sleeping to reduce excess pressure on the jaw joints.

Surgery

Surgery is typically a last-resort treatment for chronic jaw pain that’s not treatable with other methods. Our providers discuss your options for minimally invasive or open surgery to repair damaged jaw joints and improve the stability of the jawbone.

Call Park Dental NYC in Manhattan, New York, today to schedule a jaw pain evaluation. You can also book a consultation online.