If you have problems with jaw pain, you are not alone. Many of our adult patients experience chronic jaw or facial pain for one reason or another. If you are noticing tenderness in your jaw, headaches, pain in an ear, you may be having problems with your jaw or face. Although there are a variety of factors that could be causing your pain, your dentist can examine you with the help of dental X-rays, to help determine what the cause is.
So, what might actually be causing your jaw or facial pain?
- Infections
- Arthritis
- Facial or jaw injury
- Sinus issues, including infection
- Toothache
- Tooth grinding
- Periodontal disease
- Problems with your jaw or the temporomandibular joint (TMJ)
If you are experiencing jaw pain and depending on the cause, your dentist might recommend a mouth protector, exercises, muscle relaxants or anti-inflammatory drugs to help. Other solutions might include using antibiotics, having a root canal treatment, having the tooth extracted, or receiving periodontal treatment.
At McKenna Family Dentistry, our dentist, Dr. David McKenna in Palo Alto, California, is happy to help you with all your oral health needs. Please call us at 650-321-4544 to find out more or to schedule a consultation.