Sjaw pain is a complaint common.Halmost everyone has experienced it.The causecan vary, from light to heavy.
Jaw pain can make your activities less comfortable, especially talking and chewing. Jaw pain can be caused by a variety of conditions, such as a sore jaw joint, ear, tooth, or sinus. Because the causes can vary, the treatment of jaw pain must also be adjusted to the cause.
Causes of Jaw Pain
Jaw pain can be caused by many things, including:
1. Jaw joint disorders (temporomandibular joint disorder)
The jaw joint is responsible for controlling the movement of the lower jaw to the upper jaw. Jaw pain caused by joint disorders can be triggered by the habit of pressing the jaw when you are feeling anxious or stressed, the habit of yawning too widely, inflammation of the jaw joint, injury to the jaw joint or muscles, or the habit of moving the jaw while sleeping.
2. Toothache
Pain during a toothache, especially one that also affects the bones that support the teeth, can radiate to the jaw, causing jaw pain as well. One type of toothache that can trigger jaw pain is a tooth abscess.
3. Sinus infection
Sinuses are cavities in the skull (spine) that can become infected, either by viruses or bacteria, and experience fluid buildup. This can result in increased pressure on the jaw and trigger jaw pain.
4. Cluster headaches
Cluster headaches are a very painful type of headache. These headaches usually cause pain around or behind one eye. Sometimes, the pain can radiate to the jaw.
5. Trigeminal neuralgia
Trigeminal neuralgia occurs when a nerve is compressed or damaged, specifically the trigeminal nerve, which transmits signals from the face to the brain and controls the muscles of the face and jaw. In this condition, the affected nerves send pain signals to the brain.
6. Osteomyelitis
Osteomyelitis is an infection of the bone and the tissue around the bone. This condition can also occur in the jawbone and cause pain.
7. Heart attack
The pain of a heart attack is generally felt in the chest, but can radiate to the arms, back, neck, and jaw. Women have a higher chance of experiencing left jaw pain when having a heart attack.
Jaw pain needs to be treated according to the underlying cause. Treating stiffness and severe jaw pain can be done by giving painkillers (eg paracetamol) or drugs obtained from a doctor's prescription (eg muscle relaxants).
If needed, the treatment of jaw pain can be accompanied by physiotherapy, massage, and botox injections.
How to Reduce Jaw Pain
In addition to drugs, there are several ways that can be done to reduce discomfort during jaw pain, namely:
- Choose soft foods. Cut food into smaller pieces.
- Use ice cubes or warm water to compress the sore area.
- Reduce consumption of caffeine, both tea and coffee.
- Avoid eating chewy or sticky foods, such as chewing gum.
- Avoid yawning too wide because it will affect the jaw joint.
As long as the jaw pain is still felt, you need to rest. Reduce activities that move the muscles and jaw joints a lot. If the complaint does not improve after trying some of the ways above, consult a doctor for further examination and treatment.
However, if the jaw pain that occurs is unbearable to the point where you can't do anything or is accompanied by complaints of shortness of breath and chest pain, go to the emergency room immediately for emergency help.