Introduction
In most cases, pain in the upper jaw is caused by inflammatory processes within the maxillary sinus, i.e. it is caused by an inflammation of the maxillary sinus. Of course, upper jaw pain can also be caused by decayed teeth or an inflammation of the roots, but sinusitis is considered the most common cause of pain in the upper jaw (maxillary sinus pain). In humans, it is closely connected with the middle nasal passage, which is why pathogens can enter the maxillary sinus from the nasal cavity, multiply there and cause infections.
The narrower the drainage channels of the secretion, the higher the probability of the occurrence of an inflammation of the maxillary sinus and the faster upper jaw pain develops. In principle, all inflammations in the area of the paranasal sinuses are called sinusitis. In case of involvement of the maxillary sinus, the resulting disease is called sinusitis maxillaris.
Diagnosis
A diagnosis is usually made by the treating dentist. The dentist examines the upper jaw for possible tooth misalignments or conspicuous tooth defects. Furthermore, any fillings, crowns, bridges or other prosthetic restorations of the teeth are examined. Possible incorrect adjustments or a faulty fit can lead to discomfort or pain in the jawbone area. An X-ray image can provide information about an inflammation underlying the pain.
Associated symptoms
The main cause of upper jaw pain is an inflammation of the maxillary sinus. For this reason, the pain in the upper jaw area is accompanied by fever, headache, and a strong feeling of pressure in the head area. Sinusitis is usually caused by a cold.
Because of this, the symptoms of a cold usually occur in parallel. In general, the upper jaw pain is accompanied by a general feeling of discomfort. Jaw pains often bring about some restrictions.
Speaking for a long time, chewing or mouth openings in general can become very uncomfortable. If the cause of the pain is a tension caused by, for example, strong teeth grinding, it can lead to severe headaches and neck pain. It is difficult to find a comfortable position for the jaw. If the pain is caused by a strong inflammation, the pain may continue to manifest itself in a throbbing or knocking. In order to control the pain and the accompanying symptoms, the cause must always be found out.
