What causes headache, ear pain, and jaw pain? What home remedies can help? When should you see a doctor for these symptoms? Get the answers to these questions and more.

Common Causes of Ear and Jaw Pain

Numerous conditions can cause ear and jaw pain, ranging from mild aches to intense pain. It can be difficult for a doctor to diagnose the exact cause based on these symptoms alone, so they will take into account risk factors and recent history. Some of the most common causes of ear and jaw pain include:

TMJ Dysfunction

Problems with the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) can cause a wide range of symptoms, including ear and jaw pain, as well as headaches, eye pain, and sinus pressure. Factors that can contribute to TMJ pain include teeth grinding, jaw misalignment, muscle injuries, and arthritis. Home treatments often help manage or eliminate TMJ symptoms.

Sternocleidomastoid Pain

The sternocleidomastoid is a thick muscle that extends from the ear to the collarbone. Injuries to this muscle can cause jaw and ear pain, as well as sinus and eye symptoms. When these symptoms occur without signs of infection, an injury to the sternocleidomastoid may be the cause.

Oral Infections

A tooth abscess can sometimes cause pain that radiates to the ear or jaw. In most cases, there will also be swelling in the gums or tender spots around the affected tooth. If the pain in the teeth disappears and then reappears as ear or jaw pain, it may signal that the infection is spreading.

Ear Infections

Ear infections caused by viruses or bacteria can cause intense pain in and around the ear that may radiate to the jaw, sinuses, or teeth. Ear infections can also lead to complications like mastoiditis, which requires immediate treatment.

Jaw Injuries

An injury such as a broken jaw or a strain/sprain in the surrounding muscles can cause jaw pain that radiates to the ear, especially after a fall, car accident, or blow to the head.

Tooth Grinding

Grinding the teeth at night places stress on the facial, neck, and jaw muscles, which can cause pain in the jaw, ears, and front/side of the face. This can also lead to damage to the teeth over time.

Home Remedies for Ear and Jaw Pain

Before seeing a doctor, there are some home remedies that may help provide relief for ear and jaw pain:

• Apply a warm compress to the affected area
• Take over-the-counter pain medication like ibuprofen or acetaminophen
• Avoid chewing hard or crunchy foods
• Try relaxation techniques like meditation or yoga to reduce muscle tension
• Use a nightguard or mouth guard to prevent teeth grinding

When to See a Doctor

You should see a doctor if the pain is severe, persists for more than a few days, or is accompanied by other concerning symptoms like fever, swelling, or hearing loss. Seek immediate medical attention if you experience any of the following:

• Severe, debilitating pain
• Swelling or redness around the ear
• High fever
• Difficulty moving the jaw
• Discharge from the ear
• Sudden hearing loss

Medical Treatment Options

Depending on the underlying cause, a doctor may recommend the following treatments for ear and jaw pain:

• Prescription pain medication or anti-inflammatory drugs
• Antibiotics for bacterial infections
• Physical therapy or jaw exercises
• Oral splints or night guards to prevent teeth grinding
• Corticosteroid injections for TMJ or muscle pain
• Surgery in severe or persistent cases of TMJ or jaw injuries

The key is getting an accurate diagnosis so the appropriate treatment can be provided. Seeking medical attention is important, especially if the pain is severe or accompanied by other troubling symptoms.

Preventing Ear and Jaw Pain

While some causes of ear and jaw pain are unavoidable, there are steps you can take to help prevent these problems:

• Practice good dental hygiene and see a dentist regularly
• Use a mouth guard or night guard if you grind your teeth
• Manage stress and anxiety through relaxation techniques
• Avoid clenching or grinding your teeth
• Apply heat or cold therapy to sore jaw muscles
• Maintain good posture and avoid straining the neck and shoulders

By addressing the root causes and taking preventive measures, you can help reduce the likelihood of experiencing ear and jaw pain in the future.

Conclusion

Ear and jaw pain can have a variety of causes, from TMJ dysfunction and muscle injuries to infections and dental problems. While some home remedies may provide relief, it’s important to see a doctor if the pain is severe or persistent, or if it’s accompanied by other concerning symptoms. With proper diagnosis and treatment, most cases of ear and jaw pain can be effectively managed or resolved.

Causes, remedies, and when to see a doctor

Pain in the ear and jaw can range from a mild ache to intense pain. Numerous conditions can cause ear and jaw pain, including infections, injuries, and joint problems.

In this article, we discuss the most common causes of ear and jaw pain. We also suggest home remedies to try before seeing a doctor and explain the medical treatment options.

Numerous conditions can cause ear and jaw pain.

It can be difficult for a doctor to diagnose the cause based on these symptoms alone, so they will take into account risk factors and recent history. For example, a person who has not been to the dentist in many years and has a history of tooth pain may have a cavity.

The following are some common causes of ear and jaw pain:

TMJ dysfunction

Problems with the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) can cause a wide range of symptoms, including, most prominently, ear and jaw pain. Some people also get headaches, eye pain, and even sinus pressure. Several conditions and factors can cause TMJ pain, including:

• grinding the teeth
• problems with the alignment of the jaw or teeth
• muscle injuries
• arthritis

Although TMJ can be painful, home treatment often helps manage or even eliminate symptoms.

Sternocleidomastoid pain

The sternocleidomastoid is a thick muscle that extends from just under the ear down to the collarbone. Injuries to this muscle can cause jaw and ear pain, as well as sinus pain, eye pressure, and other symptoms that a person might mistake for signs of a cold or infection.

When a person has these symptoms but has no injuries and no other signs of infection — such as a fever or runny nose — an injury to the sternocleidomastoid may be the culprit. A doctor can rule out other causes, such as infections of the middle or inner ear, by carrying out a physical examination.

Oral infections

A tooth abscess can sometimes cause pain that radiates to the ear or jaw.

In most cases, a person will also have swelling in the gums or tender spots in and around the teeth. Sometimes, the pain in the teeth disappears and then reappears as pain in the ear or jaw, which may signal that the infection is spreading.

Ear infections

An ear infection can cause intense pain in, around, or behind the ear. Sometimes, this pain radiates to the jaw, sinuses, or teeth.

In most cases, viruses or bacteria cause ear infections. Ear infections can also happen when water or other fluids build up in the ear.

A person with an ear infection may have other symptoms, such as fever, congestion, and low energy. The pain of an ear infection can be intense and may get rapidly worse without treatment.

Untreated ear infections can spread to other parts of the body. Some people develop an infection called mastoiditis, which is an infection in the mastoid bone near the ear. When this happens, a person may experience swelling close to the ear, hearing problems, or a high fever. Severe cases of mastitis can be life threatening and require immediate treatment.

Jaw injuries

An injury, such as a broken jaw or a strain or sprain in the surrounding muscles, could cause jaw pain that radiates to the ear. If a person notices ear and jaw pain shortly after a fall, a car accident, or a blow to the head, they may have a jaw injury that needs medical treatment.

Tooth grinding

Grinding the teeth at night places stress on the muscles of the face, neck, and jaw. The tension can cause pain in the jaw, in the ears, and on the front or side of the face. Some people may also damage their teeth, slowly grinding them down or even breaking them.

Causes, remedies, and when to see a doctor

Pain in the ear and jaw can range from a mild ache to intense pain. Numerous conditions can cause ear and jaw pain, including infections, injuries, and joint problems.

In this article, we discuss the most common causes of ear and jaw pain. We also suggest home remedies to try before seeing a doctor and explain the medical treatment options.

Numerous conditions can cause ear and jaw pain.

It can be difficult for a doctor to diagnose the cause based on these symptoms alone, so they will take into account risk factors and recent history. For example, a person who has not been to the dentist in many years and has a history of tooth pain may have a cavity.

The following are some common causes of ear and jaw pain:

TMJ dysfunction

Problems with the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) can cause a wide range of symptoms, including, most prominently, ear and jaw pain. Some people also get headaches, eye pain, and even sinus pressure. Several conditions and factors can cause TMJ pain, including:

• grinding the teeth
• problems with the alignment of the jaw or teeth
• muscle injuries
• arthritis

Although TMJ can be painful, home treatment often helps manage or even eliminate symptoms.

Sternocleidomastoid pain

The sternocleidomastoid is a thick muscle that extends from just under the ear down to the collarbone. Injuries to this muscle can cause jaw and ear pain, as well as sinus pain, eye pressure, and other symptoms that a person might mistake for signs of a cold or infection.

When a person has these symptoms but has no injuries and no other signs of infection — such as a fever or runny nose — an injury to the sternocleidomastoid may be the culprit. A doctor can rule out other causes, such as infections of the middle or inner ear, by carrying out a physical examination.

Oral infections

A tooth abscess can sometimes cause pain that radiates to the ear or jaw.

In most cases, a person will also have swelling in the gums or tender spots in and around the teeth. Sometimes, the pain in the teeth disappears and then reappears as pain in the ear or jaw, which may signal that the infection is spreading.

Ear infections

An ear infection can cause intense pain in, around, or behind the ear. Sometimes, this pain radiates to the jaw, sinuses, or teeth.

In most cases, viruses or bacteria cause ear infections. Ear infections can also happen when water or other fluids build up in the ear.

A person with an ear infection may have other symptoms, such as fever, congestion, and low energy. The pain of an ear infection can be intense and may get rapidly worse without treatment.

Untreated ear infections can spread to other parts of the body. Some people develop an infection called mastoiditis, which is an infection in the mastoid bone near the ear. When this happens, a person may experience swelling close to the ear, hearing problems, or a high fever. Severe cases of mastitis can be life threatening and require immediate treatment.

Jaw injuries

An injury, such as a broken jaw or a strain or sprain in the surrounding muscles, could cause jaw pain that radiates to the ear. If a person notices ear and jaw pain shortly after a fall, a car accident, or a blow to the head, they may have a jaw injury that needs medical treatment.

Tooth grinding

Grinding the teeth at night places stress on the muscles of the face, neck, and jaw. The tension can cause pain in the jaw, in the ears, and on the front or side of the face. Some people may also damage their teeth, slowly grinding them down or even breaking them.

Causes, remedies, and when to see a doctor

Pain in the ear and jaw can range from a mild ache to intense pain. Numerous conditions can cause ear and jaw pain, including infections, injuries, and joint problems.

In this article, we discuss the most common causes of ear and jaw pain. We also suggest home remedies to try before seeing a doctor and explain the medical treatment options.

Numerous conditions can cause ear and jaw pain.

It can be difficult for a doctor to diagnose the cause based on these symptoms alone, so they will take into account risk factors and recent history. For example, a person who has not been to the dentist in many years and has a history of tooth pain may have a cavity.

The following are some common causes of ear and jaw pain:

TMJ dysfunction

Problems with the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) can cause a wide range of symptoms, including, most prominently, ear and jaw pain. Some people also get headaches, eye pain, and even sinus pressure. Several conditions and factors can cause TMJ pain, including:

• grinding the teeth
• problems with the alignment of the jaw or teeth
• muscle injuries
• arthritis

Although TMJ can be painful, home treatment often helps manage or even eliminate symptoms.

Sternocleidomastoid pain

The sternocleidomastoid is a thick muscle that extends from just under the ear down to the collarbone. Injuries to this muscle can cause jaw and ear pain, as well as sinus pain, eye pressure, and other symptoms that a person might mistake for signs of a cold or infection.

When a person has these symptoms but has no injuries and no other signs of infection — such as a fever or runny nose — an injury to the sternocleidomastoid may be the culprit. A doctor can rule out other causes, such as infections of the middle or inner ear, by carrying out a physical examination.

Oral infections

A tooth abscess can sometimes cause pain that radiates to the ear or jaw.

In most cases, a person will also have swelling in the gums or tender spots in and around the teeth. Sometimes, the pain in the teeth disappears and then reappears as pain in the ear or jaw, which may signal that the infection is spreading.

Ear infections

An ear infection can cause intense pain in, around, or behind the ear. Sometimes, this pain radiates to the jaw, sinuses, or teeth.

In most cases, viruses or bacteria cause ear infections. Ear infections can also happen when water or other fluids build up in the ear.

A person with an ear infection may have other symptoms, such as fever, congestion, and low energy. The pain of an ear infection can be intense and may get rapidly worse without treatment.

Untreated ear infections can spread to other parts of the body. Some people develop an infection called mastoiditis, which is an infection in the mastoid bone near the ear. When this happens, a person may experience swelling close to the ear, hearing problems, or a high fever. Severe cases of mastitis can be life threatening and require immediate treatment.

Jaw injuries

An injury, such as a broken jaw or a strain or sprain in the surrounding muscles, could cause jaw pain that radiates to the ear. If a person notices ear and jaw pain shortly after a fall, a car accident, or a blow to the head, they may have a jaw injury that needs medical treatment.

Tooth grinding

Grinding the teeth at night places stress on the muscles of the face, neck, and jaw. The tension can cause pain in the jaw, in the ears, and on the front or side of the face. Some people may also damage their teeth, slowly grinding them down or even breaking them.

What’s Causing My Headaches, Migraines and Jaw Pain?

If you often wake with a sore feeling in your jaw, it could be more serious than just sleeping funny. Experiencing facial pain, migraines, insomnia, vertigo, and popping or clicking in your jaw is not normal. Instead of readjusting, trying to sleep with your mouth closed, or sleeping in a different position, you might want to call your dentist!

Oftentimes, jaw pain is a direct result of TMJ (temporomandibular joint disease). Other than facial pain, TMJ can also cause ear pain, neck aches, and intense headaches or migraines. In order to treat your TMJ symptoms, you’ll have to visit a TMJ specialist. If you live in Fort Atkinson, your local dentists at BKS Dental know the best treatments for TMJ and are ready to help.

Facial Pain and the Jaw

You may be wondering, what does my facial pain have to do with my jaw? It’s a good question to have! The answer is a simple one: most pain and tension in your head is related to the muscles that surround the area. When your muscles are misaligned, you can experience more pain.

Migraines and headaches are actually the most common complaint we hear from our TMJ patients. The temporalis muscle connects your jaw to your temporal bone, and it is a known cause of temporal headaches. For example, people who grind their teeth often wake with these painful headaches.

Furthermore, facial and neck pain come from similar aches. When your jaw is misaligned, you overwork your muscles. By overworking your muscles, they become tense, clenching more often. This tension builds up in your face, jaw, and neck until you are sore and uncomfortable.

Treating TMJ

At BKS Dental, our dentists are experts on TMJ and they want to help you feel better. That’s why we opened Bite Align!

When you come into our office with facial pain, we will run a diagnosis to see if you have TMJ or not. This testing includes your patient history, a physical examination, and a consultation. In the consultation, you will talk to your dentist about your pain, medical and dental history, and past treatments. During the examination, your dentist will study how your teeth fit together, your jaw movements, joint sounds, as well as the alignment of your muscles around your head and neck.

When your dentist comes to a conclusion, we will discuss a proposed treatment plan with you. With x-rays, photos, models of teeth, and diagnostic computer tests, we will help you treat your TMJ and alleviate your pain.

Your TMJ Experts in Fort Atkinson, WI

Pain is your body’s way of telling you that you need to get help. If you are experiencing pain in your jaw, neck, or face, please see a dentist or a doctor. To schedule an appointment with your dentists at BKS Dental, call us at (920) 563-7323 or message us online.

10 Causes of Right and Left Sided Jaw Pain

Causes of jaw pain

Most common cause types

The most common reasons for jaw pain include:

• Inflammation and wearing away of the cartilage of the temporomandibular joint
• Dental infections: These can spread down into the jawbone and the roots of the teeth.

Less common cause types

Causes of jaw pain that are less common include the following.

• Anxiety: This leads to tension, which can lead to tooth grinding and jaw clenching. The actions can cause damage and uneven wear to the surface of the teeth, which then causes uneven pressure on the joints of the jawbones.
• Overusing the jaw muscles for chewing or even talking: This can leave these muscles sore and inflamed.
• Abnormalities of the jaw: These can be treated by dentists and other specialists.
• Myofascial pain syndrome: This is where “trigger points” small areas of very tight, contracted muscle tissue cause pain when touched or pressed.

Rare and unusual cause types

The least common causes of jaw pain include:

• Injury that may not be obvious right away: Such as a fracture. This can occur to either an upper or lower jawbone.
• A tumor forming in or somewhere near the jawbones
• Heart attack

This list does not constitute medical advice and may not accurately represent what you have.

Temporomandibular joint (tmj) dysfunction disorder

Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction is often caused by a variety of factors, including daily habits, your teeth alignment, and even stress. It usually affects one side of the jaw, but in some people it can affect both sides. People with TMJ dysfunction will typically experience pain on one side of the face that is worse with chewing, yawning, or other movements of the jaw. With some simple changes in your daily habits and other at-home treatments, most people with TMJ dysfunction will experience relief of their symptoms within weeks.

Treatment for temporomandibular joint dysfunction usually includes avoiding eating hard foods or foods that require a lot of chewing. Good posture and relaxation techniques may help relieve tension in the muscles that connect to your temporomandibular joint. In people who clench or grind their teeth, a mouth guard worn at night (and fitted by your dentist) may also help relieve your symptoms. Pain relievers, like ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), can also help.

Rarity: Common

Top Symptoms: dizziness, pain, restricted movement, and clicking sounds from jaw, history of headaches, jaw pain, pain in the back of the neck

Symptoms that always occur with temporomandibular joint (tmj) dysfunction disorder: pain, restricted movement, and clicking sounds from jaw

Urgency: Primary care doctor

Acute salivary duct stone (sialolithiasis)

A salivary duct stone is the most common disorder of the salivary glands (where you make spit). They can range in size from tiny particles to stones that are several centimeters in length.

Rarity: Uncommon

Top Symptoms: swelling on one side of the face, swollen jaw, painful face swelling, spontaneous jaw pain, painful jaw swelling

Urgency: Phone call or in-person visit

Myofascial pain syndrome

Myofascial pain syndrome is also called chronic myofascial pain (CMP.) Pressure on certain points of the muscles causes referred pain, meaning the pain is felt elsewhere in the body.

The cause is believed to be muscle injury through overuse, either from sports or from a job requiring repetitive motion. Tension, stress, and poor posture can also cause habitual tightening of the muscles, a form of overuse.

This overuse causes scar tissue, or adhesions, to form in the muscles. These points are known as trigger points, since they trigger pain at any stimulus.

Symptoms include deep, aching muscular pain that does not go away with rest or massage, but may actually worsen. There is often difficulty sleeping due to pain.

Myofascial pain syndrome should be seen by a medical provider, since it can develop into a similar but more severe condition called fibromyalgia.

Diagnosis is made through physical examination and applying mild pressure to locate the trigger points.

Treatment involves physical therapy, pain medications, and trigger point injections. In some cases, acupuncture and antidepressants are helpful.

Rarity: Common

Top Symptoms: dizziness, spontaneous shoulder pain, pain in the back of the neck, tender muscle knot, general numbness

Symptoms that always occur with myofascial pain syndrome: tender muscle knot

Urgency: Primary care doctor

Tooth abscess (infection)

A tooth abscess is a collection of infected material (pus) in the center of a tooth. It is due to bacterial infection.

Rarity: Uncommon

Top Symptoms: severe jaw or tooth pain, swollen jaw, jaw stiffness, tooth pain that gets worse with hot, cold, or sweet beverages, warm and red jaw swelling

Symptoms that always occur with tooth abscess (infection): severe jaw or tooth pain

Urgency: Primary care doctor

Infected wisdom tooth (pericoronitis)

Pericoronitis of the 3rd molar is an infection of the gums surrounding the 3rd molar (wisdom tooth). It almost never happens to normal teeth because wisdom teeth take a long time to break the gums (erupt). It’s believed that once the wisdom tooth breaks the surface of the gums, the bacteria in the mouth get into the gums at that spot and cause an infection. This is also worsened by food particles that build up in the area.

Rarity: Rare

Top Symptoms: possible wisdom tooth pain, moderate tooth pain, tooth pain that makes chewing difficult, severe tooth pain, mild tooth pain

Symptoms that always occur with infected wisdom tooth (pericoronitis): possible wisdom tooth pain

Urgency: In-person visit

Swimmer’s ear (otitis externa)

Swimmer’s ear, or otitis externa, is an infection of the canal which runs from the eardrum to the opening of the ear.

It is caused by anything that introduces bacteria, fungus, or a virus into the canal. Water that stays inside the ear after swimming is a common cause, as are cotton swabs used for cleaning or earpieces that create irritation.

Most susceptible are children, because they have narrower ear canals that do not drain well.

Early symptoms include redness, itching, and discomfort inside the ear canal, sometimes with drainage of clear fluid.

Even mild symptoms should be treated because they can quickly get worse. The infection can spread and intensify, becoming very painful with increased drainage, swelling, fever, and loss of hearing.

Diagnosis is made through patient history and physical examination of the ear canal. Lab tests may be done on a sample of the discharge from the ear.

Treatment includes having a medical provider clean the ear canal of debris and discharge, and a prescription for antibiotic and/or steroid eardrops.

Rarity: Common

Top Symptoms: fever, ear canal pain, ear fullness/pressure, jaw pain, ear pain that gets worse when moving

Urgency: Primary care doctor

Tension headache (first onset)

Tension-type headaches are the most common type of headache. It is pain or discomfort in the head and/or neck. It’s often associated with muscle tightness in these areas. This condition can occur as little as once a year (infrequent) but as often as more than 15 days per month (chronic). The cause of tension-type headaches is not clear.

Rarity: Common

Top Symptoms: new headache, nausea or vomiting, moderate headache, loss of appetite, mild headache

Symptoms that always occur with tension headache (first onset): new headache

Symptoms that never occur with tension headache (first onset): photo and phonophobia, throbbing headache, headache resulting from a head injury

Urgency: Self-treatment

Dislocation of the jaw

A jaw dislocation is when the bones of the mandible (lower jaw) come unhinged from the bones of the side of the head.

Rarity: Rare

Top Symptoms: jaw pain from an injury, locking or dislocating jaw

Symptoms that always occur with dislocation of the jaw: jaw pain from an injury

Urgency: Hospital emergency room

What Are The Symptoms Of Tmj

Because many different symptoms of TMJ exist, discovering a proper diagnosis is difficult. However, there are a few classic symptoms which involve the TM joints, ears, head, face and teeth.

TMJ CLICKING–

• The most common symptom of TMJ is jaw joint clicking (popping, snapping). This clicking sound may be so loud that it can be heard by others while you chew. There may or may not be pain in the joint itself with the sound of a click or pop. But one thing is for sure: if there is a displaced disc, as is usually the case when a click occurs, then the muscles that move the jaw while chewing are more tense than normal. This tenseness can and does cause muscle, facial, head and neck pain.

TMJ LOCKING–

• Locking of the TMJ may be noticed simply by catching of the lower jaw as it opens. Sometimes, the person with a locked joint must move the jaw to one side or another in order to open wide. Or, a person might have to open until he hears and feels a loud pop, at which point the jaw actually unlocks.

CHANGE IN BITE–

• A dislocated TMJ may also be noticed by a change in the dental occlusion, or bite. If the TMJ disc goes out of place, the bones and disc do not fit together properly and therefore, the bite of the teeth changes.

EAR SYMPTOMS–

• Due to the close anatomical relationship of the TMJs to the ears, an injury to the TMJ often causes various ear symptoms. Some of the symptoms may be ear pain, fullness or stuffiness, and even a loss of hearing. That’s why so many TMJ sufferers first see their family doctor and an ear specialist before even considering seeing a dentist for a possible TMJ problem.

HEADACHE–

• Headache is one of the most common symptoms of a TMJ problem. Usually the TMJ headache is located in the temples, back of the head, and even the shoulders. Clenching and grinding of the teeth, both of which may be TMJ symptoms, produce muscle pain which can cause headache pain. Also, a displaced disc in the TMJ may cause pain in the joint which is often referred into the temples, forehead or neck. These headaches are frequently so severe that they are confused and treated (with little success) for migraine headaches or abnormalities in the brain.

SENSITIVE TEETH–

• The teeth may become sensitive because of jaw activities such as clenching of the teeth or grinding of the teeth when the disc of the TMJ is displaced. Patients often see their dentist with the complaint of pain in the teeth and usually the doctor can find no cause. Frequently (and very unfortunately), unnecessary root canals and even tooth extractions are performed in an attempt to help a suffering person. What’s worse, after these invasive and non-reversible procedures, patients still have their pain, only now it has increased!

OTHER SYMPTOMS–

• Many other symptoms may be associated with TMJ. Often, pain will be felt in the shoulders and back due to muscle contraction, a condition called myofascial pain dysfunction syndrome. Dizziness, disorientation and even confusion are also seen in some people who suffer with TMJ.

  Depression is common with TMJ. This may be due to the fact that no one really believes there is a problem causing such pain and suffering. Also, plenty of scientific evidence shows that chronic pain patients (which nearly all TMJ patient can claim) have changes in chemicals in the brain (termed neurotransmitters) as result of the pain. These chemicals can and do produce depression. Along with depression comes an inability to get a good night’s sleep. This may be due to TMJ pain itself or, changes in the brain’s neurotransmitter chemicals which produce stimulation even though the TMJ sufferer is asleep. Sufferers usually wake feeling like they never slept or at least, did not sleep well. This lack of sleep not only makes their pain seem worse, but also adds fuel to the fire of depression.

  TMJ patient may also suffer with photophobia, or light sensitivity. A dislocated TMJ may produce pain in and behind the eye which can cause sensitivity to light. Blurred vision and eye muscle twitching are also common in TMJ patients.A final common symptom is ringing (termed tinnitus) in the ears. This sound may be caused by many different problems (such as, working around loud noises or taking too much
  
  aspirin
  
  or
  
  ibuprofen
  
  ).

QUESTIONS TO SEE IF YOU MIGHT HAVE A TMJ PROBLEM:

• 1. Do you have frequent headaches?

• 2. Do you hear popping, clicking or cracking sounds when you chew?

• 3. Do you hear a grating sound (like crumpling of newspaper) when you chew?

• 4. Do you have stuffiness, pressure or blockage in your ears?

• 5. Do you hear a ringing or buzzing sound in either or both of your ears?

• 6. Do you experience dizziness frequently?

• 7. Do your jaws feel like they “catch?”

• 8. Do your jaws feel tight, difficult to open?

• 9. Does it appear that you can’t open your mouth as wide as you used to?

• 10. Does you tongue go between your teeth or do you bite on your tongue to separate your teeth?

• 11. Do your teeth ache?

• 12. Are your teeth sensitive, especially to cold temperatures?

• 13. Do you wake with sore facial muscles?

• 14. Do you clench or grind your teeth during movements of frustration or concentration?

• 15. Do you grind your teeth at night?

• 16. Do your ears hurt?

• 17. Does it hurt to move your jaw sideways?

• 18. Do your neck, back of your head, or shoulder hurt?

• 19. Have you been hit in the jaw?

• 20. Have you been put to sleep for surgery?

• 21. Have you had a whiplash injury?

• 22. Have you seen a neurologist, psychologist or psychiatrist for unexplained head or neck pain?

• 23. Do your jaws ache after eating?

• 24. Are you under a lot of stress?

• 25. Have you been told that you might have TMJ?

Temporomandibular Disorder: An Underdiagnosed Cause of Headache, Sinus Pain, and Ear Pain – Letters to the Editor

Am Fam Physician. 2017 Feb 1;95(3):142.

to the editor: Headache, sinus pain, and ear pain are common chief complaints in the primary care setting. In 17 years of working in a community urgent care practice, I routinely encountered patients who reported a history of recurrent ear infections, sinus infections, or migraine headaches; yet, the history and physical examination did not correspond with the chronic recurrent diagnoses they reported. In many cases, examination of the jaw revealed they were most likely experiencing temporomandibular disorder (TMD).

TMD affects as many as 10% to 15% of adults (peak ages 20 to 40 years) and presents with symptoms that include facial pain, ear discomfort, headache, and jaw pain.1 Physical examination findings include tenderness over the temporomandibular joint, restricted jaw movement, and crepitus or clicking with opening the mandible.1,2 TMD is often comorbid with primary headache disorders and is found to be a contributing cause of “sinus headaches” in otolaryngology practice.3,4

In my experience, most patients feel much better with short-term use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs; symptoms typically resolve within about two weeks. Some patients also may need muscle relaxants, anxiolytics, or referral to an oral surgeon for an occlusive splint.1

Of particular concern, many patients I saw over the years in community urgent care reported repeated treatment with antibiotics for presumptive ear and sinus infections. Some were skeptical of the new diagnosis and thought they did not need to take antibiotics. During the past year, I have worked in a university student health center where I have seen several undergraduate and graduate students with chronic recurrent headaches that, at least in part, could be attributed to TMD.

Physicians should consider TMD in the differential diagnosis when a patient presents with headache, sinus pain, or ear pain and no other diagnosis that readily explains the symptom. Accurately diagnosing TMD can not only lead to more appropriate treatment to relieve the patient’s pain but also reduce unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions.

90,000 Jaw problems and headaches

What is occlusion?

In dentistry, the term “occlusion” means the same as “bite”.

What problems with temporomandibular joint can arise?

If your teeth do not fit together properly, you may have problems not only with your teeth, but also with your gums, temporomandibular joints, and the muscles that move your jaw. These problems are called “occlusal” or “malocclusion”.

Teeth

Symptoms of malocclusion can be curvature, severe wear and tear and increased fragility of the teeth, as well as loss of fillings and crowns. You may experience discomfort in your teeth when you close your jaws or feel constant pain in your teeth.

Gums

An incorrect bite can lead to loose teeth and drooping gums.

TMJ

Clicking or grinding sounds, jaw pain, tinnitus and tinnitus, and difficulty opening and closing your mouth can be signs that your teeth are not fitting together as they should.

Muscle

If your jaws are in the wrong position, the muscles of the jaws (chewing muscles) have to work harder and they can overextend. As a result, muscle spasms occur. The main symptoms of masticatory muscle spasms are persistent headaches or migraines, especially in the morning, pain behind the eyes, in the sinuses, neck and shoulders. Sometimes the pain is felt even in the muscles of the back.

How can I tell if I have a malocclusion?

An imperfect bite or missing teeth are present in many people, but they do not always lead to severe symptoms because people are adapting to the problem.Sometimes symptoms only appear during periods of increased stress or strain on the jaw and quickly disappear. In some cases, teeth and gums are affected, and instead of a headache, you may have:

• Flat worn teeth;

90,045 broken teeth, fillings and crowns;

90,045 loose teeth;

• permanent sensitivity of teeth to temperature changes;
• toothache for no apparent reason.

If you have any of the above problems, see your dentist.

You may notice that you are clenching or grinding your teeth, although many people who have this problem are unaware of it. Gritting and grinding your teeth can be a response to stress, and most people grit their teeth when they are focused on something, such as doing housework or gardening, fixing a car, using a keyboard, etc.

If you wake up in the morning with a tight jaw or pain when closing your teeth, it may be caused by clenching your jaws and grinding your teeth during sleep.Most people who grind their teeth do it during sleep and do not remember it.

You may not be aware that severe headaches or neck or shoulder pain are associated with jaw problems. Other signs of malocclusion are pain and discomfort around the ears or jaw joints, as well as limited movement of the lower jaw. All of these symptoms indicate a TMJ problem.

If you have several back teeth missing, this can lead to an imbalance in the bite and an uneven distribution of pressure between the teeth.

Collectively, these symptoms are referred to as TMJ syndrome.

How are malocclusion treated?

See your dentist. He may be able to help you himself or refer you to a specialist who treats malocclusion.

Your symptoms will help diagnose a specific bite problem. Pain in various muscles on testing and decayed or worn areas of the teeth indicate that you are grinding your teeth.Teeth grinding is the main symptom of malocclusion.

If your dentist suspects that your symptoms are due to an improper bite, they can correct the problem with a hard plastic device that fits over your upper or lower teeth. This device must be very precisely fitted so that all of your teeth are closed in the position in which your muscles are relaxed. You will have to wear this device all the time or only at night. If wearing the device alleviates the symptoms, then your bite may require permanent correction.Some patients experience relief immediately, while others do not experience symptoms until long after.

Correction (equalization) of the occlusion
To correct the occlusion, you may undergo an occlusion correction procedure. Correction of occlusion consists in grinding the surfaces of the teeth in order to change their direction and position. Often this resurfacing is enough to change the way the jaws close.

Replacement of missing teeth

The temporomandibular joint needs equal support from both sides of both jaws.The jaws can chew properly only if all teeth are present and correctly positioned. To correct the bite, it may be necessary to replace missing teeth with a partial denture or bridge.

As a rule, dentists insist on replacing missing teeth only when they are sure that there is a malocclusion.

Medicines

Certain drugs are sometimes used to relieve symptoms, but the effect is only temporary.Some women benefit from hormone replacement therapy.

Nutrition and exercise

As with any joint pain, it is helpful to reduce the stress on the joints (in this case, the jaw). Therefore, a soft diet, special exercise and application of heat are recommended. Physiotherapy exercises are often effective and your dentist can show you some exercises.

Relaxation

Psychological counseling and relaxation therapy help some people.These techniques help the patient to better recognize stressful situations and control their response to stress.

Will straightening your teeth help?

If your teeth are very crooked or in a completely wrong position when closing your jaws, you may be advised to use an orthodontic device (braces) to move your teeth into position.

How many people suffer from bite problems?

Every fourth person has malocclusion symptoms.Malocclusion occurs in both men and women, but women seek treatment more often than men. Symptoms of malocclusion can appear after menopause or other hormonal changes.

Published:
25 ^th January, 2017

Updated:
90 130 21 90 123 st 90 124 February, 2018 90 125

Author:

90,000 Does your head hurt? Don’t rush to take aspirin! See the dentist!

Increasingly, the best representatives of the dental profession around the world meet to discuss the most pressing issues of their daily practice.And in recent years, these issues are by no means related to tooth decay. Dentists discuss the connection between bite pathology and frequent headaches that occur in every second such patient.

Surely many dentists will soon become better known as “headache healers” due to a deeper understanding of the problem of headaches, which are often caused by problems in the mouth.

Dislocation of the jaw, which in medical language means temporomandibular syndrome or temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ), is often an undetected condition in which aching headaches, facial pains, pains in the neck, shoulders, arms are tormented. According to studies, one in five people periodically experience TMJ pain.

The symptoms of TMJ are so varied that the condition during the illness is very similar to the symptoms of other diseases. This allows doctors to call this ailment “the great impostor.”

Dr. Brendan Stack, an orthodontist and TMD specialist with offices in Falls Church and Springfield, says people with the condition often think their severe headaches are due to hereditary factors or to excessive strain and stress. …

Dr. Brendan notes that TMJ also has complaints of tinnitus, ear pain, hearing loss, back pain, dizziness, sinus or muscle pain.

Despite the fact that temporomandibular syndrome has been known in medicine for 40 years, only recently there have been data confirming a certain relationship between temporomandibular anomalies and headaches.

Thanks to a special X-ray machine – a cephalometric laminograph, costing about $ 30,000dollars, TMS has been identified as the cause of many persistent headaches. When using it, layer-by-layer X-ray images are obtained, which allows the doctor to conduct a level-by-level examination of the joint to identify temporomandibular dysfunction, explains Dr. Stack. In Russia, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the temporomandibular joint is used, which also contributes to the layer-by-layer study of the joint and its ligamentous apparatus, in order to obtain a more accurate picture of the state of the disc and the posterior zone.

With the help of a conventional X-ray machine, it is impossible to detect jaw dysfunctions due to the peculiarities of the location of the joint – directly under the ears, as well as because of its functions – it connects the mandibular bone to the skull.

In the event that the jaw is dislocated, for example, as a result of an unexpected blow or due to the gradual grinding of teeth, the ball joint displaces and begins to exert a strong effect on the nerves of the posterior bilaminar zone. In very severe cases of TMJ or in its untreated forms, degenerative osteoarthritis of the joint occurs with uncontrolled dislocation of the disc.

More latent forms of TMJ dysfunction remain untreated due to the limited number of specialists specializing in the treatment of TMJ dysfunction.

In addition, pains are not always permanent – they can occur spontaneously, periodically over many years, and then subside for a while – a condition that is often not regarded as a fact of the disease.

As a result, many patients with chronic TMD are wandering from doctor to doctor in vain and searching in vain for ways to get rid of their suffering, sometimes even unbearable pain, says Brendan Stack. In turn, pain, due to its intense and prolonged nature, can lead to serious emotional problems.

Essentially, these patients are hostages to their pain. Many of them end their lives in mental hospitals, as they are mistaken for insane.Some doctors are convinced that their pain is nothing more than fantasy, fiction.

In reality, these patients were simply misdiagnosed … They are sent from specialist to specialist … who are just trying to find the answer. Many have lived in this state for over 20 years.

And when you tell them what is causing their pain, many begin to cry … and lose their composure. Others say: “What a pity that I did not meet you 15 years and 40 thousand dollars ago.”

But not everyone with common headaches and ailments has temporomandibular syndrome, says Dr. Stack. When medications, massage, compresses, rest, and physical therapy, for example, do not provide permanent relief, it is likely that the cause of the pain is tension in the jaw.

In addition, sudden blows to the jaw, grinding of teeth, misalignment of the teeth (the most common cause), muscle spasms, or a wide open mouth when biting or yawning can cause joint problems.
As Dr. Brendan Stack points out, once a problem is diagnosed, fixing it will cost no more than regular orthodontic work. To treat temporomandibular joint (TMJ), he places a movable plastic device on the lower teeth similar to a denture. This device is worn for 6 to 12 months to properly coordinate jaw and facial movements, and to relieve unusual stress on the nerves, he says.
In the future, the dentist’s work is aimed at correcting the occlusion.The treatment is painless, adds Dr. Stack.
For the treatment of malocclusion, the medical term “equilibration” has been chosen, which means balancing the muscle forces on the face.

Most patients are treated non-surgical, writes Dr. Douglas H. Morgan in the Journal of the American Medical Association. He also notes that those who need surgery tend to have organic pathology in the joint itself.

Treatment of the temporomandibular joint has already been called “a breakthrough in the study of headaches.” The fact that the Academy of Cranio-Facial Pain has existed in the USA since 1985 can serve as evidence of the increased interest in this disease.

However, there are not so many specialists who are faithful to their work in the treatment of TMD in comparison with the general mass of dentists.

This is due to a complex and comprehensive approach to solving this problem, which is not accessible to everyone, even an experienced professional.

Dr. Stack and Dr. Lawrence A. Funt, co-directors of the National Capital Center for Craniofacial Pain. Lothar H. Wedekind Fellow at The Fairfax Journal. The article was published in 1985.

90,000 Can a head hurt from a tooth?

The problem of headaches has bothered people at all times. Especially actively to the issue of its study were moved at the end of the nineteenth century.Then doctors and scientists published hundreds of medical treatises on why the head starts to hurt and how to get rid of such troubles. Many of them came to the conclusion that the anatomical features of the patient’s body directly affect the pain. Moreover, the patient may feel discomfort not only in the tissues, but also in the nerve fibers. The experienced head pain can be transmitted to the mouth and directly to the jaw. It turns out that it is often the headache that begins to give in the teeth.

If you often experience pulling pain in the cheeks, throbbing sensations in the ears or squeezing the temples, try to consult a doctor as soon as possible. Teeth are often the source of headaches, which are actually located in the incisors, molars, canines, or in the chewing system as a whole. A timely visit to the dentist and professional help at the clinic will help to cope with such troubles.

The reasons why the headache is associated with the dental

The oral cavity and the head are connected in a direct way.For example, a malocclusion puts a fairly strong load on the chewing apparatus and causes overstrain of the corresponding muscles. This means that this very overstrain leads to a headache. Also, among the causes of headache, the following dental factors can be identified:

• Deep caries. It affects the condition of the nerve inside the tooth. Such problems cause acute pain, which can radiate not only to the head, but also, for example, to the ear.
• Low bite height.This can be either a congenital pathology or acquired due to joint wear. Because of this, muscle overstrain and rather frequent headaches occur.
• Offset of the jaw head. With this problem, the head will directly contact the articular disc, causing trauma and infringement of the ear-temporal system. Accordingly, the patient has a characteristic pain that radiates to the ear.
• Incorrect placement of crowns or implants. It does not depend on the patient, but on the quality of the work of the dentist who performed this procedure.If the doctor is not qualified, improperly installed structures can negatively affect the nervous system, leading to severe headaches.

Who can I contact for help?

Most people with headaches simply take a pill to relieve any pain symptoms. However, if seizures appear very often, it is strongly recommended to seek the advice of qualified doctors: dentist, therapist, neurologist, ENT and others.

If it is established that the cause of the pain is still related to dental primary sources, do not be afraid to go to the doctor. Most clinics now offer clients the most modern facilities and the latest in pain management and sedation.

The list of therapeutic procedures depends on the direct prescription of the attending physician, who studies the symptoms and chooses the best method to eliminate the problem.

One of the most common problems due to which a toothache turns into a headache is pain in the wisdom tooth.In this case, the specialist decides whether it makes sense to keep it, or still have to perform an operation to remove it.

Discomfort in the temples, occipital or parietal region often entails the following procedures:

• Correcting the bite,
• Doing a set of exercises to relax the muscles,
• Wearing night guards to relax the chewing organs,
• Reducing the amount of chewing gum used ,
• Fight nail biting.

And, of course, oral hygiene should not be neglected. Remember that tooth decay can cause headaches, and tooth decay occurs just from improper or infrequent brushing. Our health is in our hands!

How helpful was this article: 90,000 Temporomandibular joint dysfunction

Temporomandibular joint dysfunction syndrome is one of the most difficult diagnoses faced by dental practitioners.About 57% of patients seeking help from a dentist have some kind of complaints about dysfunction of the temporomandibular joint. From 14% to 29% of children and adolescents suffer from this disease . The variety of clinical manifestations of temporomandibular joint dysfunction is determined by the polyetiology (multiple determining factors) of pathological changes developing in it, which complicates diagnosis and treatment.

The most common cause of TMJ dysfunction is stress.An equally common cause of TMJ dysfunction is non-compliance by patients with the recommendations of specialists.
Other possible causes of the disease include:

• joint injuries
• long-term dental appointments without rest breaks (3 or more hours)
• Decrease in bite height due to loss of teeth and their increased wear and tear
• bruxism (involuntary clenching and grinding of teeth)
• Excessive stress during sports
• taking some hormonal contraceptives
• malocclusion and many other reasons …

Since TMJ dysfunction is difficult to treat, and patients do not seek medical help from a dentist surgeon on time, but instead go from one doctor to another (to therapists, otolaryngologists, neurologists and other specialists), often many of they already have pronounced changes in the joint that are not amenable to conservative correction.Since there are many different symptoms of TMJ lesions, it is difficult to make a proper diagnosis.

Clicks and other noises in the temporomandibular joint.

The most common symptom of temporomandibular joint lesions is clicking in the joint of the lower jaw. These sounds can be so loud that others can hear them when the patient chews, yawns, or simply opens their mouth. Joint pain may or may not be present. But one thing is for sure: the muscles that move the lower jaw when chewing are more tense than normal.This tension leads to pain in the muscles, face, head and neck.

Headache
Headache is one of the most common symptoms of TMJ pathology. Usually, a headache with TMJ pathology is noted in the temples, back of the head. Jaw clenching and teeth grinding can be symptoms of TMJ pathology; these symptoms cause muscle pain, which can lead to headaches. A displaced TMJ disc can also cause joint pain, which often radiates to the temples, forehead, or neck. These headaches are often so severe that patients treat them (without much success) as migraines.

Blocking the temporomandibular joint.
E This term is used to denote the uneven movement in the joint due to disorders in it. The blockage of the temporomandibular joint can be seen simply as an uneven movement when opening the lower jaw (as if it is catching something). Sometimes a person with a blocked joint must move the lower jaw to one side or the other to open the mouth wide.It also happens that a person has to open his mouth until he hears and / or feels a loud sound at the point at which the lower jaw is actually “unlocked”.

Changes in bite
Disturbances in the TMJ can also be manifested by a change in bite. If the disc of the temporomandibular joint is displaced, then the bones and disc do not fit together properly and therefore the bite changes.

Ear symptoms.
Due to the proximity of the temporomandibular joint to the auricles, a lesion of the temporomandibular joint often causes various ear symptoms.Some symptoms include ear pain, congestion or dullness, or even hearing loss. That is why many patients with temporomandibular joint lesions first turn to their GP and ENT specialist.

Increased tooth sensitivity.
If the temporomandibular joint disc is misaligned, the teeth can become very sensitive, in part due to movements such as clenching the jaws and grinding teeth. Patients often go to their dentist with a complaint of dental pain, but the doctor cannot always find the cause of this pain.

Inflammatory symptoms arthritis or synovitis in the joint. Patients always complain of joint pain, swelling of soft tissues around it, fever, general weakness and malaise.

Treatment.

Treatment always starts with a diagnosis.

Diagnostics is a complex and multi-step process. Functional diagnostics – identifying the causes of the pathology. It includes a whole range of procedures – identifying complaints, collecting medical data, examining the muscles of the head and neck, neurological examination, X-ray diagnostics.

At the stage of small dental functional analysis, initial diagnostics are carried out, impressions are taken, diagnostic models are made, bite is assessed, the quality of interdental contacts, etc.

These functional tests are necessary for the correct diagnosis, and the correct diagnosis, in turn, allows for adequate therapy.

Depending on the data obtained, the treatment can be conservative, reconstructive and surgical.

Conservative treatment includes – relief of pain, removal of edema.

Further dynamic observation and, if necessary, reconstructive treatment.

Reconstructive treatment is carried out after the acute phase has been removed and its purpose is to change the position of the articular head of the mandibular condyle and can be performed using different technologies. These tasks are performed by an orthopedist in a team with an orthodontist, patient and surgeon. Those. an integrated interdisciplinary approach. In some cases, the consultation of a neurologist, ENT doctor, psychotherapist, etc. is required.e. Surgical treatment consists of arthroplasty and is performed in specialized surgical centers. It is resorted to in the most difficult cases that are not amenable to other types of treatment.

Headache as a sign of dental pathology

Dysfunction of the temporomandibular joint has extensive symptoms, including crunching and clicking of the jaw, joint jamming, crunching. But not all symptoms are classic. There are no nerve receptors in the joint itself, so pain occurs in the neck, head, ears, or the so-called trigger zones (muscle compaction).One of the characteristic signs of TMJ pathology is a headache, which causes severe discomfort to a person.

Features of headache in TMJ dysfunction

Very often, joint diseases are accompanied by disc displacement and pain in the periarticular tissues. This pain radiates to the temples, forehead, back of the head and even the shoulder blades. Unpleasant sensations can be so strong that the patient takes them for manifestations of migraines or other brain pathologies.

Another cause of stubborn headaches can be bruxism (teeth grinding).This is also a sign of dysfunction, causing severe muscle pain, which, in turn, radiates throughout the head. It is significant that even rest and peace do not bring the desired relief, and the pills only drown out the pain for a short time. A person goes to therapists, neurologists, manual osteopaths, hoping to get rid of the problem, and its root lies precisely in the dysfunction of the TMJ, which should be treated by an experienced dentist.

Diagnostics

If the main complaint is precisely the headache, then it can be difficult to suspect the pathology of the joint, and often this happens already with the progression of the disease.The correct diagnosis is made after examination, questioning and additional examination methods, such as:

• roentgen;
• MRI;
• computed tomography;
• electromyography;
• arthroscopy.

A neurological consultation may be required to rule out neurological diagnoses.

Treatment

The main goal of treatment is to relieve pain and restore the functions of the affected joint.This happens in several ways:

1. Taking medications (pain relief of the masticatory muscles with injections, oral administration of analgesics).
2. Therapeutic manipulations (re-treatment of teeth, taking into account individual anatomical features).
3. Orthopedic treatment (wearing splints and other devices to normalize occlusion). From the moment splints are put on, they work to reduce muscle tension, which immediately relieves pain, including headache.
4. Physiotherapy techniques (laser, electrophoresis, magnetotherapy, etc.)). The specific type of procedure depends on the degree of pain and its cause. If there are contraindications to physiotherapy, you can replace it with home application of compresses (alcoholic or herbal).
5. Myogymnastics and relaxation psychotherapy.
6. Acupuncture and facial massage.

The above activities, together with a properly selected sleep and rest regimen, help to reduce the intensity of headaches and achieve their complete disappearance during a full course of medical prescriptions.

• Therapy and hygiene

• Surgery

• Prosthetics, implantation

Optional

Treatment of the masseter muscle – treatment of the temporomandibular joint

We usually don’t think about how our jaw moves.Most people refer to teeth when they talk about bite. But, as mentioned above, the bite is a whole system that controls the position of the jaw. Here are its components and their role:

The role of muscles

Picture # 4 Opening, closing the mouth, chewing and swallowing is due to the work of a large number of muscles.

The opening of the mouth is provided by the muscles located in the neck. The muscles that support the lower jaw are located behind the jaw and run under the cheeks to the frontal and behind the ear regions.

The most powerful chewing muscles are located in the buccal region.

Picture №5 Our body strives to carry out all functions with the greatest rationality and the least expenditure of energy. Therefore, normally the chewing muscles hold the jaw in a position in which the teeth are separated by 1-2 mm.

Figure # 6 From this rational position, the lower jaw moves hundreds of times a day to close the teeth to swallow.

All this happens subconsciously. Our brains are “programmed” for a process called proprioception.

With correct bite and jaw position at rest, most muscles are in a relaxed state.

If your teeth do not close properly, the muscles can adapt, causing the jaw to close in a trajectory that causes excessive tension, spasm and muscle fatigue over time.

In this case, the position of the physiological rest of the lower jaw (when the teeth are not closed) is not accompanied by muscle relaxation, as it should be with normal occlusion, but, on the contrary, leads to their constant tension.

The role of joints

Picture # 7 The lower jaw moves thanks to the joints. called the temporomandibular joints, or TMJ.

Imagine the joint as a ball in a basket – the articular head (ball) moves in the depression of the skull (basket). There is a soft tissue layer (articular disc) between them.

The position of the articular head (condyle) in the corresponding depression of the skull (fossa) is largely determined by the bite (occlusion) – the position where the muscles hold the jaw.

Figure # 8 If the system is balanced, the condyles are located in the center of the glenoid fossa and the disc, being between the glenoid head and the glenoid fossa, moves freely in the joint when opening and closing the mouth.

Figure # 9 If the masseter muscles adjust to the wrong position of the jaw, they can keep the head of the joint in an offset position, negatively affecting its function. This often leads to displacement of the articular disc, which prevents its normal movement in the joint until the moment when it completely moves to its normal position when the mouth is opened. When this happens, a click occurs.

The intensity of the click can range from a subtle vibration to a very loud sound.

This sound is often a sign of abnormal joint function, which in turn may be associated with malocclusion.

The role of posture

Posture also plays a significant role in occlusion. The lower jaw and lower limbs can be considered interdependent parts of the human skeletal system.If any of these parts are negatively affected, it can affect other parts of the skeleton as well.

Let’s check this by brushing our teeth together. Pay attention to which teeth closed first. Then tilt your head back as much as possible and close your teeth again. Don’t be surprised if this time the first contact is on the other teeth. By changing the position of the head, you thereby affect the balance of the entire skeletal system (and your bite in particular).

The same happens when you get a seal.Lying in the dental chair under anesthesia, it seems that the filling is not in the way. But after the anesthetic wears off and you get out of the chair, you notice that the filling is higher than the rest of your teeth. This is why in neuromuscular dentistry, the bite is assessed in the sitting position – the position your jaw is usually in. If the bite is assessed in a sitting position, leaning back, the jaw also shifts posteriorly. This situation is different from the usual one.

Photo # 10.11 In an experiment on rats, an overstated filling was made for one lateral tooth on the right side.A week later, the X-ray examination revealed a deformity of the entire spine. After the occlusion was leveled by making a filling on the lateral tooth on the left, the shape of the spine was restored.

Figure # 12 Since there is a direct connection between all parts of the musculoskeletal system, head position undoubtedly affects occlusion and can cause tension in the neck and back muscles.

Figure # 13 When the lower jaw is displaced backward as a result of an anomaly in childhood or tooth abrasion over time, the neck moves forward and the head tilts back.This, in turn, significantly increases the load on the neck muscles of the shoulder girdle. Therefore, most people with an anterior head position experience cervical pain or neck muscle tension.

Picture №14, 15 Often the displacement of the lower jaw in case of malocclusion is accompanied by rotation of the first and second cervical vertebrae, which leads to severe deformation of the entire cervical spine.

Just as changes in the position of the jaw can cause changes in posture and lead to pathology in the cervical spine, changes in the spine can affect the position of the jaw and occlusion.

The role of breathing and sleep apnea

Picture # 16 The posterior displacement of the lower jaw often leads to a narrowing of the airway lumen due to deformation of the cervical spine and displacement of the tongue posteriorly, which follows the lower jaw. In order to increase the airway lumen, the muscles move the neck forward even more and tilt the head back.

In this case, the artery carrying blood to the brain along the spine can bend sharply in the region of the first and second cervical vertebrae, causing disturbances in the blood supply to the brain.

Narrowing of the airways and disturbed blood supply can cause sleep apnea – a short-term cessation of breathing during sleep.

Repetitive respiratory arrest leads to a significant change in the metabolism of the whole organism and, as a result, can become one of the triggering mechanisms of diseases such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, myocardial infarction, stroke, etc. Therefore, an untreated state of sleep apnea is responsible for a decrease in life expectancy by 20% …

Now you understand that the bite is much more complicated than just the way of closing the teeth! A malocclusion can cause not only early tooth loss, but also cause serious pathologies such as diabetes and myocardial infarction, and even reduce life expectancy.

90,000 Facial pain (facial pain)

IMPORTANT!

The information in this section cannot be used for self-diagnosis and self-medication.In case of pain or other exacerbation of the disease, diagnostic tests should be prescribed only by the attending physician. For a diagnosis and correct treatment, you should contact your doctor.

Pain in the face (facial pain) – the causes of the appearance, in what diseases it occurs, the diagnosis and treatment methods.

Pain in the face belongs to the category of pain syndromes, the diagnosis of which is the most difficult.

Facial pain can be based on diseases of various organs or systems, or arise from damage to nerve fibers (primarily cranial nerves).

Separately from these two groups, pain is considered, a clear cause of which sometimes cannot be identified. They are called persistent idiopathic or atypical pain.

Varieties of pain

Facial pain caused by damage to the branches of the cranial nerves (neurogenic) and pain caused by diseases of organs or systems (somatogenic) are diagnosed.

Neurogenic facial pain

Trigeminal neuralgia

in which the branches of the trigeminal nerve are affected, is characterized by burning pain, which is paroxysmal in nature and intensifies with any movements of the mouth (chewing, opening), tension of facial muscles (smile, grimace).Most often it is concentrated at the points of exit of the branches of the trigeminal nerve (in the area of ​​the eyebrows and wings of the nose) and may be accompanied by tics. Increased lacrimation is often noted. In the area of ​​the painful point, there is a burning sensation, bursting, the skin turns red or turns pale. An attack can be triggered by pressing on certain points. Sometimes on the face areas with increased or decreased sensitivity come to light.

Possible causes

It is believed that most often such pain occurs due to compression of the branches of the trigeminal nerve in the narrow bony canals of the skull by vessels that form loops around the nerve.In some cases, compression of the nerve in the small bony canals of the upper jaw occurs due to edema of the surrounding tissues due to frequent rhinitis or chronic inflammation in the area of ​​the tooth. A growing tumor can compress the nerve. Sometimes pain syndrome develops against the background of herpetic lesions.

Diagnostics and examinations

When a nerve is compressed in the infraorbital canal, pain can occur in the orbit and eyebrows.When the maxillary branch of the trigeminal nerve is compressed, a tooth is considered to be the culprit of painful attacks. This can be confirmed or excluded using a panoramic image of the upper and lower jaws. To exclude the tumor nature of the pain syndrome, an MRI of the brain or MRI angiography is prescribed.

Which doctors should I contact?

The variety of symptoms accompanying trigeminal neuralgia makes it difficult to diagnose.

Consultations required:

• dentist;
• otorhinolaryngologist, especially in the case of frequent rhinitis;
• neurologist.

What should you do if you have symptoms?

As a rule, patients intuitively exclude factors that can provoke a pain attack. They try to avoid meals, do not wash, for fear of affecting the trigger points of pain.

Treatment

Success in the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia can only be achieved with an integrated approach.

After a thorough examination, the doctor may prescribe vitamins, antispasmodics, antidepressants and, in some cases, antiepileptic drugs.

Physiotherapeutic procedures are recommended: laserotherapy, acupuncture, ultrasound therapy, electrophoresis, diadinamic currents, paraffin applications.

If positive results cannot be achieved with drug therapy, surgery may be necessary. Microvascular decompression allows the nerve root to be released. The essence of this operation is to isolate the nerve and the vessel that compresses it. Effective radiofrequency destruction of the affected branch of the trigeminal nerve.

Somatogenic facial pain

Pain in the face and head can be a manifestation of a disease of any organ or system, in which case they are called somatogenic. These pains may not be as sharp and intense as in the case of damage to the trigeminal nerve, but their persistence significantly worsens the person’s condition.

Possible causes

The simplest and most quickly diagnosed cause of facial pain is the affected tooth.With advanced caries or periodontitis, the pain is localized not only in the area of ​​the diseased tooth, but also in the jaw, temple and ear.

A person’s considerable suffering is caused by a malfunction of the masticatory apparatus (dysfunction of the temporomandibular joint).

In addition to intra-articular changes (arthrosis, underdevelopment of the articular head), an incorrect bite can lead to pain, for example, due to the loss of a group of teeth or an incorrectly selected prosthesis, or a prolonged spasm of the chewing muscles.

Inflammatory processes in the paranasal and frontal sinuses can also cause pain. Depending on the location of the pathological process, pain can be felt in different areas of the face. So, with frontal sinusitis (inflammation of the frontal sinuses), pain can occur in the frontal region and give up. Sinusitis (inflammation of the maxillary (maxillary) sinuses) is characterized by pain in the infraorbital region with a return to the upper jaw. With ethmoiditis (inflammation of the mucous cells of the ethmoid bone) – between the eyes with recoil to the temporal region.

Diseases of the eyes (eyes) can lead to pain.

Sometimes facial pain is a symptom of angle-closure glaucoma (increased intraocular pressure), which requires immediate treatment, as the disease can lead to loss of vision.

Diagnostics and examinations

To find out the source of the pain, you need to go through a series of tests.

The dentist will order panoramic images of the upper and lower jaw.They allow you to identify a sick tooth and sanitize the focus of inflammation.

If pathological processes in the area of ​​the nasal sinuses are suspected, it is advisable to carry out radiography or computed tomography of the paranasal sinuses (primarily the maxillary and frontal).

Much less often, the cause of facial pain is sought in a violation of the temporomandibular joint.

The articular nature of facial pain can be confirmed by radiography of the temporomandibular joint.

The radiologist will help to identify changes in the articular surfaces and deformation of the joint space.

Clinical manifestations of malfunctioning of the temporomandibular joint are characterized by:

– pain and crunching in the joint area when opening the mouth and chewing;

– the inability to smoothly and completely open the mouth;

– swelling and pain in the joint area (between the cheek and the auricle;

– asymmetric opening of the mouth;

– uneven wear of the teeth on the right and left sides.

The “ocular” nature of facial pain has a number of features.

The pain is always clearly localized on one side. Soreness is felt when moving and pressing on the eyeball. The final diagnosis can only be made by an ophthalmologist after measuring intraocular pressure and examining visual function.

Which doctors should I contact?

The presence of an extensive list of possible causes of facial pain often requires visiting doctors of various profiles: a dentist to exclude pain associated with tooth damage, an otorhinolaryngologist and an ophthalmologist, if there are suspicions of diseases of the ENT organs or eyes.

If the studies do not confirm the somatogenic (that is, due to organ damage) nature of the pain, then the neurologist should continue the further diagnosis.

Treatment

Treatment in the case of a somatogenic nature of pain should be aimed at eliminating the disease of the “causative” organ.

In the presence of inflammation in the sinuses of the facial skull, the otorhinolaryngologist will prescribe a complex therapy, including antibacterial drugs, vasoconstrictor sprays, antihistamines and anti-inflammatory drugs.Sometimes a positive result of treatment can be achieved by flushing the sinuses using the YAMIK catheter.

If the cause of pain is an eye disease, then further treatment is carried out by an ophthalmologist. As a rule, when confirming the diagnosis of angle-closure glaucoma, a complex of drugs is prescribed, which includes pilocarpine and timolol, as well as diuretics. In the absence of improvement, the optometrist may recommend laser or surgical treatment

IMPORTANT!

The information in this section cannot be used for self-diagnosis and self-medication.In case of pain or other exacerbation of the disease, diagnostic tests should be prescribed only by the attending physician. For a diagnosis and correct treatment, you should contact your doctor.

Information checked by expert

Lishova Ekaterina Alexandrovna

Higher medical education, work experience – 19 years

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