Jaw Pain: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

What is Jaw Pain: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment?

Jaw pain is a common symptom that can be caused by dental problems, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders, or even heart conditions like angina. It's important to see a doctor if you experience persistent or severe jaw pain, especially if it's accompanied by other symptoms like chest pain or dizziness.

Symptoms

Early symptoms

• Dull ache in the jaw: A persistent, mild discomfort in the jaw area that may come and go.
• Difficulty chewing: Pain or discomfort while eating, especially with harder foods.
• Clicking or popping jaw: Audible sounds or sensations when moving the jaw.
• Tenderness around the jaw: Sensitivity or pain when touching the jaw area.

Serious or emergency symptoms

• Jaw pain with chest pain, tightness, breathlessness, sweating or nausea: Heart attack pain can spread from the chest to the arm, neck and jaw. Symptoms vary between people; women may have different symptoms, and breathlessness is sometimes the only symptom. Call emergency services (999/911) immediately. Do not drive yourself to hospital.
• Jaw pain that comes on while chewing or talking, especially over age 50: Pain in the jaw when eating or talking can be a sign of temporal arteritis (giant cell arteritis), which can cause permanent sight loss if untreated. It may come with scalp tenderness, headache or vision changes. Seek same-day urgent medical assessment.
• Sudden, severe, electric-shock-like facial or jaw pain: Brief, intense shooting pain in the jaw, teeth or gums can indicate trigeminal neuralgia. Seek urgent medical assessment.
• Jaw pain with facial swelling, fever, or difficulty swallowing or breathing: A spreading dental infection can cause swelling that becomes dangerous if it affects the airway. Seek emergency care immediately if breathing or swallowing is affected.

Causes

Primary causes

• Dental issues: Problems like tooth decay, gum disease, or an abscess can cause jaw pain.
• Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders: Conditions affecting the joint that connects your jaw to your skull.
• Sinus infections: Infections in the sinuses can cause pain that radiates to the jaw.
• Temporal arteritis (giant cell arteritis): Inflammation of arteries in the head and neck can cause jaw pain when chewing or talking, usually in people over 50. It is a medical emergency because it can cause permanent sight loss.
• Trigeminal neuralgia: A nerve condition causing sudden, severe, electric-shock-like pain in the jaw, teeth or gums.
• Heart problems (referred cardiac pain): Pain from a heart attack or angina can spread to the jaw as well as the arm and neck, so jaw pain is not always a dental or joint problem.

Risk factors

Diagnosis

A healthcare provider will evaluate your symptoms, conduct a physical exam, and may order imaging tests or refer you to a specialist.

Treatment

Medication options

Lifestyle and self-care

• Apply heat or cold packs: Alternating between heat and cold can help reduce pain and inflammation.
• Practice good oral hygiene: Regular brushing, flossing, and dental check-ups can prevent dental issues.
• Avoid chewing gum or hard foods: Reducing strain on the jaw can help alleviate pain.
• Stress management techniques: Techniques like meditation or yoga can help reduce jaw tension.

Always discuss dosing and treatment changes with your own prescriber.

Possible complications

• Chronic pain: Untreated jaw pain can lead to long-term discomfort.
• Eating difficulties: Severe jaw pain can make it hard to chew and swallow.
• Speech problems: Persistent jaw pain can affect your ability to speak clearly.
• Sleep disturbances: Pain and discomfort can interfere with sleep quality.

When to see a doctor

Routine follow-up

• If you experience persistent jaw pain that doesn't improve with home remedies, consult your doctor.
• Schedule a dental check-up if you suspect the pain is related to oral health issues.

Seek emergency care

• Call emergency services immediately if jaw pain comes with chest pain or tightness, pain spreading to the arm or neck, breathlessness, sweating, nausea or feeling faint. Heart attack pain can spread to the jaw, and symptoms differ between people — women may have different symptoms, and breathlessness is sometimes the only one. Do not drive yourself.
• Seek emergency care if jaw pain comes with facial swelling and difficulty breathing or swallowing.
• Seek same-day assessment for jaw pain on chewing or talking if you are over 50, particularly with headache, scalp tenderness or any change in vision — untreated temporal arteritis can cause permanent sight loss.

Frequently asked questions

References