The jaw is anatomically counted to the facial skull (viscerocranium) and consists of two parts, the upper jaw (maxilla) and the lower jaw (mandible). Both the upper jaw and the lower jaw serve as holding structure for the teeth embedded in them. Jaw pains can originate both from the jawbone and the surrounding soft tissue (e.g. the muscles) – the causes are very diverse.
The pain is enormously stressful for those affected and may severely restrict their quality of life. Everyday activities such as drinking, eating and talking are both difficult and unpleasant for people with jaw pain. However, since it is not always easy to differentiate the exact cause of this jaw pain, it takes time to help the patient in the long term.
Initially, the affected patient can help himself or herself by taking painkillers, but these cannot be taken for an unlimited period of time. Long-term use or excessive dosage of painkillers can have a negative effect on the organism and cause severe organ damage. In case of long-term jaw pain, it is advisable to visit a dentist and describe the problem as precisely as possible. In many cases it is also advisable to visit an orthodontist.
Overview of the causes of jaw pain
The causes of jaw pain are very diverse. However, it has been shown that the temporomandibular joint is a common trigger for this pain. The temporomandibular joint is a very complex joint that is exposed to great stress every day.
Like any other joint in the human body, the temporomandibular joint can wear out over time if it is subjected to too much stress. Arthrosis in the temporomandibular joint is not uncommon. The word “arthrosis” is the medical term for joint wear and tear due to overuse that exceeds the joint wear and tear that is common in old age.
Our jaws are actually constantly in motion – when we speak, when we crush food, when we swallow and even at night, often unconsciously. The older you get, the higher the risk that the temporomandibular joint will no longer be able to withstand the constant strain and wear and tear will begin. Another important cause, which is also related to the one just mentioned, is incorrect loading of the jaw.
Such an incorrect loading can also have effects on the temporomandibular joint and thus cause the pain or even lead to it itself. The false loading is usually caused by missing teeth (often in the posterior region), an outdated crown or a new one that has not been correctly ground in and inserted, dentures that no longer fit well, or tooth fillings. Of course, one must not ignore inflammation or damage caused by bacteria, which cause caries and are often the cause of diseases in the oral cavity.
These bacteria can not only attack the tooth or its root, but can systematically work their way through the tissue and reach the bone, where they cause an inflammation of the jaw. Diseases of the periodontium, also called gingivitis or periodontitis, can be precursors that can also cause pain in the bone. Jaw pain can also occur as a result of an injury, possibly triggered by a fall or blow.
And the phenomenon of lockjaw is also accompanied by pain, as the muscles can cramp when trying to open the mouth. Another cause that affects many people is “bruxism”. Bruxism is the grinding of teeth and a strong clenching of teeth, which usually happens unconsciously during sleep.
Triggers can be the following: a malposition in the temporomandibular joint, an incorrect occlusion (contact between upper and lower teeth) and above all stress and mental suffering. A cold can also radiate into the jaw due to the nerve processes. Jaw pains can also, although as a very untypical symptom, indicate a heart attack, which is then restricted to the lower jaw and radiates into the left arm. Many people also suffer from postural deformities, which lead to incorrect loading of the back and neck and must therefore also be considered as a cause for jaw pain.
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