Many patients experience unexplained jaw pain and a variety of symptoms ranging from mild headaches to severe pain when chewing or turning their head. Treating jaw pain and TMJ disorders requires an accurate diagnosis of the underlying cause. Dr. J Stephen Hoard is a dentist in New Bern, NC who can help you with your jaw pain and restore balance to your smile.
What Causes Jaw Pain?
The ability to open and close your mouth is a surprisingly delicate and complex system of muscles, tendons, and bone working together. There are many factors that can contribute to jaw pain, but one of the most common causes is a long history of teeth grinding. This can happen both during sleep and during the day, especially in people with a stressful job or lifestyle. Teeth grinding, or bruxism, causes jaw pain because it places pressure on the mouth muscles for a long period of time.
You may also experience jaw pain from an uneven bite, such as an overbite or underbite, or have missing teeth. When teeth are not properly aligned or shift in the mouth, they may become overworked when chewing or speaking. Unevenly worn teeth can also contribute to premature tooth decay.
Do I Have A TMJ Disorder?
Any pain associated with the temporomandibular joints (TMJ) on either side of your jaw is considered a TMJ disorder, or TMD. A TMD has a variety of symptoms, including:
- Jaw pain
- Neck pain
- Tension headaches
- Popping or clicking when opening or closing your mouth
- Chronic tooth grinding
TMJ is more difficult to identify and properly treat than many patients realize, but Dr. Hoard has advanced training and extensive experience diagnosing and treating TMJ disorders. We’ll carefully evaluate your situation to determine the best course of treatment.
How is TMJ Treated?
The right treatment depends on the underlying reason for jaw pain. After detailed imaging and evaluation, your dentist will be able to recommend the best treatment.
For example, if a misaligned bite is the culprit, you may need orthodontics or oral surgery. If a missing tooth is causing pain, you may need to consider restorative dentistry to replace the tooth and help your natural teeth stay in place. Some patients may need to use a night guard, which can help hold the teeth in a better position and help with tooth grinding.
How Do I Stop Jaw Pain?
While you’re waiting for your appointment with Dr. Hoard to treat your jaw pain, there are some at-home remedies you can try. Ibuprofen is an over-the-counter pain reliever that can help, and holding a cold compress to the cheek will help reduce inflammation and swelling around the joint. You may also want to set reminders for yourself to relax, release jaw and neck tension, and gently massage the areas.
Schedule your appointment online or call us at (252) 507-0373 today to find out the best treatment for your jaw pain.