Prognosis

The prognosis for any pain that may occur in the jaw area is generally good if timely medical or dental treatment has taken place and the patient shows a high degree of cooperation. A possible exception are defects in the case of tumors. Here, the primary tumor and the course of the disease as well as timely treatment are decisive. In second place are temporomandibular joint defects, since there are few possibilities for complete recovery here, and arthrosis can develop which is no longer curable. All other causes such as pure muscle pain or inflamed teeth are usually cured after a few days.

Duration of jaw pain

The duration of the pain in the jaw is always related to the cause that causes it. A fracture no longer hurts if it has been treated appropriately, e.g. with metal plates. A muscle pain no longer hurts if a muscle has learned to relax as well as tense, or if it has been helped to relax by external means (physiotherapy). Pain in the temporomandibular joint often subsides with the insertion of a bite splint and teeth in the jaw no longer hurt when the focus of inflammation has been removed or painkillers have been taken. All causes together are based on the assumption that the patient fulfills his part in the healing process and allows himself to be guided.

Treatment options for jaw pain

Since many patients suffering from jaw pain have purely mechanical causes, treatment can be relatively simple. If the jaw pain is caused by crowns, bridges and/or fillings that are too high, it is recommended to have them replaced or ground down by a dentist. Many patients feel great relief after this simple measure and notice a decrease in jaw pain.

For patients who grind their teeth heavily at night or whose jaws bite too firmly together, a so-called functional splint can serve as a therapeutic approach. The splint serves as a buffer between the teeth of the upper and lower jaw and reduces the forces acting on the jaw joints. In everyday life, these patients can easily help themselves out.

If the tongue is deliberately placed against the palate, behind the incisors, the chewing muscles are automatically relaxed and the joints are relieved. If a tooth and/or jaw misalignment is the reason for the development of jaw pain, an orthodontist should be consulted urgently. He or she can assess exactly how much improvement can be achieved and which orthodontic measures are necessary to help the patient and reduce the jaw pain.

Home remedies for pain in the jaw area can only be used effectively if the cause of the symptom pain is known. This would mean, for example, that the warmth, which is perceived as beneficial and relaxing when the chewing muscles are tense, is counterproductive when the tooth is inflamed. Heat would even increase the pain here, since the heat supplied can intensify the inflammation.

A painkiller such as ibuprofen, however, can “take the edge off” the pain until you have the opportunity to visit the dentist for an appointment. In the case of jaw pain caused by overstraining the jaws by crunching and pressing (bruxing), natural healing methods such as homeopathy can also help. A variety of preparations aim to alleviate the triggers such as nervousness, mental stress, pressure to perform or even sleep disorders with the help of globules (lat.

pellets). These usually consist of a sugar component and diluted active ingredients such as Cina D 6, Cuprum D 12, Phytolacca D 6 or magnesium phos. D12. Which of these active ingredients can now act specifically against nervousness, exhaustion or stress remains a decision of the attending physician or consulting pharmacist.