Table of contents:
- Various causes of jaw pain are common
- 1. Problems with teeth and gums
- 2. Stress
- 3. Rheumatism
- 4. TMJ disorders (temporomandibular joints)
- 5. Other medical conditions
The cause of jaw pain is not just a problem with the teeth. This condition can be a symptom of a more serious chronic illness. So, find out what causes jaw pain to help consider you getting a doctor sooner.
Various causes of jaw pain are common
The jaw helps you to open, chew, and then close your mouth. Pressure, irritation, or infection around the jaw can cause pain.
Don't underestimate it if you feel pain and pain in your jaw, especially if it doesn't heal. The reason is, there are certain health problems that cause jaw pain:
1. Problems with teeth and gums
Having problems with your teeth is the most common cause of jaw pain. The pain in the jaw is usually caused by a perforated tooth, cracked teeth due to pressure and temperature, or gum disease that damages the tooth bone.
2. Stress
People who are under stress and continue to feel anxious may unconsciously have a habit of grinding their teeth (bruxism).
Without realizing it, this habit makes the muscles around the jaw tense. Finally, there is discomfort and pain in the jaw.
3. Rheumatism
In fact, arthritis, like rheumatism, does not only attack the joints in the knees or wrists. But it also makes the joints in the jaw area inflamed and eventually causes pain.
This autoimmune disease can make the jawbone feel stiff and sore.
4. TMJ disorders (temporomandibular joints)
Each side of the bone has a temporomandibular joint that connects the jaw to the skull. Any disturbance, trauma, or inflammation in the joint can cause TMJ.
Symptoms include headaches, pain in the jaw and around the ears, and a "clicking" sound when you open your mouth. TMJ symptoms will get worse if you are under stress.
5. Other medical conditions
There are several diseases that cause symptoms of pain in the jaw, such as:
- Mumps. This disease, which is caused by a viral infection of the salivary glands, causes the glands to swell. As a result, the jaw looks swollen and painful when chewing or speaking.
- Tetanus. Bacterial infection of cuts or scrapes on the skin can cause tetanus. The first sign of tetanus is that the muscles around the jaw will feel stiff and the patient may also experience spasms.
- Heart attack.Pain in the jaw can be a sign of a heart attack. The reason is, this heart disease can cause the nerves to be painful. Other symptoms include shortness of breath, pain or discomfort in the left chest, and sweating.
