29 Aug What Can Cause Jaw Pain?
What can cause jaw pain? Keep reading to find out!
Ouch! Jaw pain can be not only painful but annoying – especially when trying to eat a delicious meal. But what is causing this pain and how did it start? The root cause of the problem may be due to numerous reasons – and is most diagnosed as temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJD).
TMJD is the most common cause of joint paint which affects nearly 10 million people in the world.
Causes of jaw pain may include:
• Pain from the muscles that control jaw movement (lateral + medial pterygoid, masseter, temporalis)
• Injury to the jaw joint (i.e., from a sport injury)
• Excess stimulation to the jaw joint (i.e., chewy foods such as steak, gum, beef jerky)
• Grinding of teeth causing myofascial irritation
• Involuntarily clenching your jaw due to stress and anxiety
• A capsular issue: the articular disc doesn’t rotate and/or translate properly
• Dental appointments – having the jaw open for a prolonged period
A reminder that regular dental appointments are necessary to rule out any gum diseases, cavities, or abscesses that may be underlying and causing your jaw pain. Jaw pain can be complex and coming from numerous different areas in your life – having a healthcare professional on your side this jaw pain can be resolved and lifestyle changes can be made!
As for what you can do on your own beforehand, take a look at our YouTube videos specific to what you may be experiencing!
And if this sounds like you, click to book in for a session with one of our Practitioners who most enjoy helping with jaw pain.
We are always accepting new members who are ready to commit to their health and wellness journey. If you are ready to experience the MYo difference, book now so one of our team members can welcome you to the MYo Lab community!