Jaw Pain, A Simple Guide To The Condition, Diagnosis, Treatment And Related Conditions

This book describes Jaw Pain, Diagnosis and Treatment and Related Diseases

Jaw pain can be a debilitating disorder that involves the ability to eat and speak.

Many diseases can produce jaw pain, from the sinuses and ears to the teeth or jaw itself.

This indicates it can be difficult to tell if the jaw pain is due to a jaw disorder or something else.

Jaw and facial pain is a frequent disorder affecting millions of people worldwide.

Doctors are required to identify the precise cause in order to supply the best course of pain-relieving treatments.

1. Temporomandibular joint and muscle disorder (TMD)

TMDs are the most frequent cause of jaw pain, affecting nearly 10 million Americans.

TMD is also occasionally termed TMJ disorders.

The temporomandibular joints (TMJ) are the large hinge joints on each side of the jaw that attaches to the skull.

Several factors can produce TMD jaw pain.

It is also possible to sense TMD pain because of several reasons present at the same time.

Causes of TMD are:

a. Pain from the muscles that regulate jaw movement
b. Injury to the jaw joint
c. Excess stimulation of the jaw joint
d. A displaced disc that normally helps to cushion the movements of the jaw
e. Arthritis of the protective disc that cushions the jaw joint

Teeth grinding and arthritis may be the reasons behind jaw pain but the most often reported cause is temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder.

The disorder involves up to 12 percent of people.

Nearly 5 % necessitate medical treatment because of the severity of the disorder.

Women of childbearing age are most often affected by TMJ disorder.

2. Injury to the jaw joint or the muscles that regulate the jaw movement can be produced by several factors, such as:

a. Grinding the teeth at night
b. Involuntarily clenching the jaw due to stress and anxiety
c. Trauma to the jaw joint, such as getting hit in the face while playing sports

Other known reasons for jaw or facial pain are physical and physiological disorders, such as:

1. Teeth grinding, clenching, or opening the mouth too wide:

Most often, teeth grinding and clenching is felt during sleep and can result in tooth damage and jaw pain.

It can also happen during periods of higher emotional stress.

2. Osteomyelitis:

This is a disorder where an infection in the body involves the bones and related tissues.

3. Arthritis:

Arthritic disorders, such as osteoarthritis and osteoarthrosis, are produced from the surface of bones wearing away.

4. Synovitis or capsulitis:

These are disorders in which the lining of the joint or a connecting ligament is inflamed.

5. Dental conditions:

These can be gum disease, cavities, tooth gaps, injured or fractured teeth, or dental abscesses.

6. Neuropathic pain:

This type of long-term pain happens when nerves become injured and transmit pain signals to the brain.

This jaw pain can be persistent or happen from time to time.

7. Vascular pain:

This type of pain happens when the supply of blood to part of the body is interrupted.

It is produced by disorders that involve the giant cell arteritis and carotid artery dissection at the forehead.

8. Neurovascular pain:

This type of jaw pain is produced by disorders that involve both the nerves and the blood vessels, such as migraine and cluster headaches.

Pain can also be produced by lifestyle-related factors, such as:
1. Emotional stress and mental disorders,
2. Sleep disturbances,
3. A lack of certain nutrients, or
4. Tiredness.

The treatment of jaw pain is dependent on the cause.

TABLE OF CONTENT
Introduction
Chapter 1 Jaw Pain
Chapter 2 TMJ Disorders
Capter 3 Odontogenic Pain (Toothache)
Chapter 4 Bruxism (Tooth Grinding)
Chapter 5 Gum Disease (Gingivitis)
Chapter 6 Dental Abscess
Chapter 7 Tooth Decay (Dental Caries)
Chapter 8 Trigeminal Neuralgia
Epilogue