Why Does My Jaw Hurt? 9 Jaw Pain Causes & How to Treat It
Jaw pain typically radiates to other parts of the face and is a common concern. It may develop due to issues with the nerves or blood vessels, toothaches, sinus infections, or other conditions.
Most often, jaw pain results from temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders. While jaw pain doesn’t need immediate medical attention in most cases, it may signify a more serious underlying condition that requires treatment.
Anyone with persistent, worsening, or severe jaw pain should consult a doctor for a diagnosis.
As a leading provider of custom-fitted dental guards for jaw pain, we’re here to discuss some common causes of jaw pain and provide helpful solutions.
Why does my jaw hurt? If you’ve been asking yourself this all-too-common question, keep reading!
1. Vascular Conditions
Sometimes, issues with the blood vessels may lead to jaw pain. Giant cell arteritis is a condition that causes inflammation of the blood vessels in the arms, neck, and head. The inflammation narrows arteries, which reduces blood flow. Usually, giant cell arteritis affects people older than 50. Symptoms include:
- Pain in your jaw and tongue
- Dizziness or changes in vision
- Headaches
- Flu-like symptoms
Angina is when there’s poor blood flow through the heart's blood vessels. The most common cause of angina is coronary artery disease. The most common symptoms are a crushing/squeezing feeling, heavy pressure, tightness, and chest pain.
You might be wondering, “Why does my jaw hurt because of angina?" The answer is that sometimes these symptoms spread to the jaw, as well as the neck, shoulders, back, and arms (typically the left).
2. Arthritis
Arthritis is another one of the potential jaw pain causes you might encounter (typically later in life). Arthritis is the swelling and tenderness of a joint brought on by an autoimmune disorder or by wear and tear. The two most common types of arthritis that affect the jaw joint are psoriatic arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Symptoms include:
- Locking jaw
- Trouble opening/closing your mouth
- Pain
3. TMJ Disorders
Why does my jaw hurt? The pain could be related to TMJ disorders, which are conditions that affect the temporomandibular joints and muscles that are used for chewing. TMJ issues may be associated with the following:
- Nerves, blood vessels, ligaments
- Teeth
- The muscles of the face, neck, and jaw
- The cartilage disk at the joint
While there’s no known cause in most cases, teeth grinding is linked to many TMJ disorders. Symptoms include:
- Locking of the jaw
- Aching in the ear, face, or head
- Grating, clicking, or popping sound when opening/closing your mouth
- Pain when chewing
- Headaches
4. Nerve damage
Why does my jaw hurt? Chronic pain due to nerve damage is another one of the potential jaw pain causes. Chronic pain can be related to trigeminal neuralgia, a condition of the main nerve of the face. The pain may feel like burning or sudden shock. Symptoms may come and go, and even talking or vibrating can trigger them.
5. Tooth Infection
A tooth infection may cause tremendous jaw pain, which may also radiate to your face.
Infections may begin because of a breakdown of the tooth, which can allow decay to begin.
The infection may start in your tooth and then spread down to the tooth’s root. If not treated, it can spread to the bone.
Why does my jaw hurt? If you haven’t had a dental checkup in a while, it might be time to schedule one! This is especially important because there are other potentially serious complications associated with untreated tooth infection as well. So, it’s best to see a dentist when having dental issues so that the condition doesn’t become more complex.
6. Injury
Some jaw pain can be a result of an injury, like a dislocated or broken jaw, or even an injury that didn’t directly impact your jaw. The following are the most common causes of damage to the jaw:
- A dental procedure
- A fall
- Sports injury
- Car accident
- A work accident
All of these injuries require immediate medical treatment to keep airway complications at bay. Why does my jaw hurt? If you’ve recently had an injury, even one that’s seemingly unrelated to the jaw, that could be the root of your pain.
7. Excessive Teeth Clenching and Grinding
Habitually grinding and/or clenching your teeth is one of the most common jaw pain causes. In medical terms, we refer to teeth grinding and clenching. You may experience daytime bruxism, nighttime bruxism, or both. While the underlying cause of bruxism is unclear, most believe it’s due to stress. Symptoms include:
- Teeth sensitivity to hot and cold
- Worn-down teeth
- Headaches
- Ear aches
- Sore jaw muscles
8. Sinus Problems
Other causes of jaw pain include sinus issues, which may cause pressure behind the cheeks, eyes, and nose. So, why does my jaw hurt? In some cases, this pressure can also lead to jaw pain.
9. Wisdom Teeth
Wisdom teeth usually come in between the ages of 17 and 25. When they push up through the gums, they can cause jaw pain.
How Dental Guards Can Help With Jaw Pain
The science behind how night guards work is actually quite simple. Sometimes, the discomfort with TMJ disorders is related to the contractions of jaw muscles. By keeping the teeth slightly apart, a night guard acts as a barrier and prevents grinding and clenching. This allows the muscles to relax, decreasing the strain on the painful joint.
Why does my jaw hurt? The easy answer might be that you need a custom-fitted dental guard to protect your teeth from jaw pain and bruxism-related damage.
Shop Our Affordable Custom Dental Guards
At Clear Comfort Night Guards, we make custom dental guards for varying levels of bruxism. We’re experienced, professional dental technicians who offer the same quality as dentists but with an easy ordering process and affordable prices. Don’t take our word for it—check our customer testimonials!
Now that you know about common jaw pain causes, it’s time to get the relief you deserve. Shop custom-fitted dental guards for jaw pain, and place your order today!
