Jaw pain can be caused by a wide variety of medical problems, many of which can be quickly addressed by a visit to the doctor or dentist. People should definitely seek medical attention for jaw pain, because there is no reason to suffer with a painful jaw, and because some conditions can grow much worse if they are not addressed. A dentist is often a good person to start with, as the dentist can provide a referral to another doctor if a dental exam rules out obvious potential causes of jaw pain.
Causes of jaw pain can be divided into two categories: primary and secondary. Primary jaw pain is caused by a condition which involves the jaw, while secondary jaw pain is caused by a condition elsewhere in the body which can cause pain to migrate to the jaw. Primary jaw pain can usually be treated by a dentist, a maxillofacial surgeon, or an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) doctor, while secondary pain may require the services of a specialist in another medical field.
Trauma to the jaw is an example of primary jaw pain. A broken jaw will be considerably painful, and trauma can also be caused by bruxism or clenching of the teeth. An abscess, tumor, or infection in the jaw can also lead to jaw pain. Dental problems are another leading cause of a painful jaw and mouth. Cavities, broken teeth, and teeth which have been pulled out of alignment can all hurt the jaw, for example. Recovery from oral surgery and fillings may be accompanied by jaw pain, and severe gingivitis and gum infections can cause the jaw to hurt.
Some other sources of primary jaw pain include bone spurs, bony outgrowths around the jaw which sometimes appear in older people, and impacted wisdom teeth, which can cause considerable pain in the jaw area. Arthritis can also affect the jaw, causing a buildup of pain around the mandibular joint. Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ), a condition characterized by chronic inflammation of the jaw joint, also causes jaw pain.
Sinus infections may lead to jaw pain, as can ear infections, thanks to the pressure in the ears and sinus cavities. Migraines have also been linked with jaw pain, especially when a migraine sufferer grinds his or her teeth from the pain. Further afield, some medical conditions like scurvy and Caffey's disease lead to inflammation in the bones and around the jaw. Swollen glands in the neck can cause jaw pain and tenderness, as can obscure conditions likephosphorus necrosis of the jaw, also known as phossy jaw.
Even if jaw pain seems bearable or manageable, patients may want to consider the fact that infections in the jaw can lead to sepsis, a life threatening medical condition. Oral pain can also lead to irritability and a decline in productiveness and efficiency, which means that family members and coworkers may appreciate it when people seek treatment for their jaw pain.
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