Jaw pain can be caused by many factors, including fractures, misalignment, arthritis, dental abscesses, and temporomandbular joint (TMJ) disorders. When you have problems in this part of the skull, it is very important to go to the doctor for a timely diagnosis. The pain could be a symptom of a serious condition, such as heart attack or angina pectoris. Also, knowing the causes of the discomfort allows you to find the correct treatment and avoid edema, chewing problems and limitation of movement.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Treating Jaw Pain Caused by Bruxism
Step 1. Understand the causes of bruxism
This disorder does not necessarily have a single cause; Doctors have identified several triggers that cause some people to unknowingly grind their teeth at night or during the day. Here is a short list:
- Otalgia
- Teething in babies
- Unpleasant emotions (stress, frustration, anger, anxiety)
- Some personalities (overly competitive or aggressive)
- Compulsive behaviors aimed at managing stressful situations
- Malocclusion, i.e. misalignment of the teeth of the upper and lower arch
- Sleep-related disorders, including sleep apnea
- Complications caused by some degenerative disorders such as Parkinson's disease and Huntington's disease
Step 2. Care for your teeth
If chronic bruxism is causing you severe jaw pain, then you should go to the dentist and study with him ways to avoid grinding your teeth or at least reduce the negative effects.
- Use a mouthguard or bite. This is a particularly useful tool in cases of nocturnal bruxism. Wearing a specific mouthguard for this situation allows you to keep the upper arch separate from the lower one and thus reduce related damage and pain.
- Correct dental alignment. In severe cases of bruxism, the dentist may recommend the use of an orthodontic appliance to realign the teeth of both arches or to undergo surgery to restore the right shape to the outline of the teeth.
- Undergo regular checkups. Allow the dentist to regularly monitor and check the health of your teeth and the effects your bruxism problem has on them; in this way you can reduce the frequency with which you grind your teeth and consequently the jaw pain.
Step 3. Treat the triggers of bruxism
If intense emotions or behavioral problems cause you to grind your teeth to the point of intense jaw pain, then you should undergo therapy to help you overcome these psychological difficulties.
- Try activities that help you manage stress, such as meditation or rigorous physical training.
- Rely on a therapist to deal with anxiety, anger, or stress.
- In extreme cases, drug therapy is also recommended. Medicines are not the first choice solution for bruxism, but some of these, such as muscle relaxants, can ease the contraction and help manage pain.
Step 4. Make lifestyle changes
If the cause of jaw pain is your habit of grinding your teeth, which in turn is related to anxiety or stress, then it is worth changing something in your daily life to reduce bruxism episodes and avoid, in the future, pain.
- Learn to manage stress. Find something that calms you down, whether it's relaxing music, a vigorous workout, or a warm bath. Set aside some time each day to focus on your restful activity, especially before bed.
- Don't drink caffeine and avoid all other stimulants. Switch to decaffeinated coffee and tea or, even better, try drinking calming herbal teas in the evening. Refrain from all tobacco products and alcohol, especially in the evening, in order to promote a deep, relaxing sleep and less likely to grind your teeth.
Method 2 of 4: Treating Jaw Pain Caused by Dental Abscess
Step 1. Understand the causes of a tooth abscess
It is a bacterial infection located near the nerve of the tooth, usually caused by a caries that has been neglected for a long time. The most common symptoms are:
- Prolonged throbbing pain in the tooth
- Sensitivity to temperature fluctuations - for example when drinking hot or cold drinks
- Pain when chewing, when eating or drinking
- Swollen face on the side affected by the abscess
- Swollen or inflamed mandibular lymph nodes
Step 2. Treat an abscess
If you believe you have this type of infection, it is absolutely mandatory go to the dentist immediately. Based on the severity of the abscess, your doctor may recommend different solutions to treat it and contain the infection. All procedures described here must be performed by a licensed dentist.
- Sometimes it is possible to drain the abscess. Your dentist will be able to undergo surgery to get pus out of the site of infection using sterilized instruments in a controlled environment. Remember not to try these procedures at home for any reason.
- The best thing remains root canal therapy. This means having surgery to remove diseased tissue from your gums and drain the abscess. This way the dentist will treat the infection and at the same time try to save the tooth.
- Your doctor may recommend the extraction. This is done when the infection has ruined the tooth to such an extent that it can no longer be saved. After removing the tooth, the dentist will drain the abscess and treat the infection.
- You will most likely be prescribed a course of antibiotics to prevent the infection from spreading to the jawbone or other teeth. This class of drugs will be recommended to you along with other therapies.
- To avoid recurrence it is vital to practice good oral hygiene. This means flossing every day, brushing your teeth at least twice a day, limiting your snack intake, and having regular visits to the dentist.
Step 3. Manage the pain
Once your dentist has cured the infection, there are several things you can do at home to control the pain associated with the abscess.
- Dissolve a teaspoon of salt in 240ml of hot water. Use this solution as a mouthwash after every meal and before bed to help control inflammation and prevent another infection.
- Take pain relievers. The action of over-the-counter medications, such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen, is to reduce inflammation and control pain. Take only the recommended dose in the leaflet, as an overdose could cause liver damage and other health problems.
- Apply a cold pack. Place it on the painful side of your face for 20 minutes, interspersed with another 20 minutes of rest. This allows you to manage pain and inflammation in the jaw and mouth. In case of asceticism, the use of hot packs is not recommended, because the heat stimulates the proliferation and spread of bacteria.
Method 3 of 4: Treating Jaw Pain Caused by Temporo-Mandibular Arthritis
Step 1. Understand the causes of temporomandibular arthritis
Problems related to this joint can be caused by traumatic arthritis, osteoarthritis, or rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis is the most common pathology in adults over the age of 50, but all of these disorders are typically characterized by joint stiffness, pain, swelling, irritation and limitation of movement.
Step 2. Confirm the diagnosis of temporomandibular arthritis
Before you can treat it, you need to be sure that it is precisely this condition. In most cases, your doctor will give you x-rays or computed tomography to confirm the diagnosis. During these tests you will notice a flattening of the mandibular condyle (the rounded protuberance at the end of the mandible) and the development, here, of an osteophytic beak. Traumatic arthritis is an exception, because it cannot be detected on X-rays, unless there is an accumulation of fluid or a hemorrhage that generates a joint dilation visible on the X-ray.
Diagnosis of headaches such as migraine, temporal arthritis and stroke should be ruled out before diagnosing temporomandibular arthritis, especially if you have such symptoms
Step 3. Treat traumatic temporomandibular arthritis
Although there is no definitive cure, some therapies can be followed to reduce pain.
- Many doctors recommend taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatories to treat symptoms of this condition.
- Stick to a diet of soft foods to avoid unnecessary and excessive jaw movement.
- Apply warm compresses. Rest them for 20 minutes, then do some exercises by opening and closing the lower jaw and moving it sideways. Repeat this process 3-5 times a day, as needed.
- Try a mouthguard or bite. Some patients benefit from this device to relieve pain and discomfort.
Step 4. Manage the pain of temporomandibular osteoarthritis
Although it is a very painful condition, especially if the range of motion is limited, there are some treatments that help you manage the symptoms and pain.
- Use a mouthguard or palatal splint. These devices can be worn both day and night and reduce pain and irritation in patients with temporomandibular osteoarthritis.
- Try putting on a hot pack for 20 minutes and then do specific exercises. Open and close the jaw and then move it from side to side.
- Eat only soft foods, avoid anything hard and crunchy.
- Try over-the-counter pain relievers, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, to keep inflammation and pain in the acute stages under control.
Step 5. Treat pain associated with temporomandibular rheumatoid arthritis
Treatment is similar to that for rheumatoid arthritis that occurs in other areas of the body and typically includes:
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatories
- Exercises to maintain range of motion in the joint and minimize pain
- Cold packs to reduce inflammation and pain. Place the compress on the affected area for 20 minutes followed by 20 minutes of rest.
- In severe cases, the rheumatologist may recommend surgery to prevent the disease from limiting jaw function. However, surgery is considered the last attempt (due to the high risk of complications), when all other solutions have failed.
Step 6. Take drug therapy in all cases of temporomandibular arthritis
Pain relievers are effective in reducing pain and inflammation in all types of this condition. Ask your doctor for advice to find the best medicine for your symptoms.
- Over-the-counter pain relievers and prescription pain relievers (stronger) help you control the pain associated with arthritis.
- Your doctor may recommend that you use muscle relaxants for a short time (a few days to several weeks) to help manage pain and facilitate joint movement.
- Sedatives help sleep in cases where the pain is severe enough to prevent sleep.
- Finally, your doctor may also give you controlled injections of cortisone directly into the joint to treat pain and inflammation.
Method 4 of 4: Treating Jaw Pain of Unknown Aetiology
Step 1. Modify your diet
Avoid hard foods, as well as those that force the jaw to very wide movements. These include nuts, hard candies, crunchy baked goods, and large fruits and vegetables, such as whole apples and carrots. You should also avoid chewing on gum and all other sticky candies, such as toffee.
Step 2. Change your sleeping position
If you typically rest on one side and experience jaw pain, try a supine position to avoid pressing on your mouth. You can also consider purchasing a mouthguard to avoid grinding your teeth at night, which contributes to pain without you realizing it.
Step 3. Take medication to treat the pain
Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, can treat inflammation and other symptoms of jaw pain.
Step 4. Try a topical product
Oral gels and swabs that contain benzocaine or similar active ingredients can provide some relief from tooth and jaw pain. You can find them in most pharmacies.
Step 5. Do some jaw exercises
Open and close your mouth and then move your lower jaw from right to left and vice versa. Try to gradually increase the frequency of this "workout".
Step 6. Apply hot or cold packs
Start with heat, but if that proves ineffective against pain and inflammation, try cold.
- Place a towel or cloth under the hot or very hot water tap. Squeeze it to get rid of excess liquid.
- When the cloth has reached a temperature that you can tolerate without burning yourself, apply it to your jaw. Hold it in place for about 5-10 minutes and repeat the process several times a day.
- If the hot pack doesn't work, try an ice pack. Keep it on for 20 minutes and then rest for another 20 minutes.
- You can also try alternating cold and heat therapy to maximize the benefits of both. Apply the hot pack for 5 minutes and then the cold pack for the same amount of time.
Advice
- You can control pain by doing jaw exercises regularly.
- By squeezing the jaw muscles lightly with your hands, you can temporarily relieve the pain.
- To feel some relief, hold a solution of water and lemon juice in your mouth for about 40 seconds.
- Try brushing your teeth with a saline solution or a little toothpaste.
- Make a solution of hot water and baking soda (in a 3: 1 ratio). Use it to rinse for 30 or 45 seconds, spit out the solution and rinse your mouth with cold, clean water.
