Jaw hurting?!
Question: What would be a reason that my jaw would be hurting? I didn't do anything to it, just when I woke up this morning it hurt and it's been hurting all day. I took ibuprofen and it didn't work. What do think the reason is and what can I do?
Answers: What would be a reason that my jaw would be hurting? I didn't do anything to it, just when I woke up this morning it hurt and it's been hurting all day. I took ibuprofen and it didn't work. What do think the reason is and what can I do?
It sounds like you may have TMJ ( temporomandibular joint). It's common, I have it too. If your jaw muscles are stiff and sore when you wake up, it may by a sign that you are clenching or grinding your teeth in your sleep. Clenching or grinding teeth can exhaust jaw muscles and lead to pain.
TMJ disorders include a variety of conditions that cause tenderness and pain in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Your TMJ is the ball-and-socket joint on each side of your head where your lower jawbone (mandible) joins the temporal bone of your skull.
Signs and symptoms of TMJ disorders may include:
* Pain or tenderness of your jaw
* Aching pain in and around your ear
* Difficulty chewing or discomfort while chewing
* Aching facial pain
* A clicking sound or grating sensation when opening your mouth or chewing
* Locking of the joint, making it difficult to open or close your mouth
* Headache
* Uncomfortable bite
* An uneven bite, because one or more teeth are making premature contact
Treatment (you will need to go to your dentist): Night guard appliance. If you grind your teeth in your sleep, a night guard appliance, which is a soft or firm device inserted over your teeth, can help prevent grinding and excessive wear of your teeth.
I would consider going to the dentist or doctor and get a xray if it persist.
Are you under any undue stress? anxious? I know when I clench down or grind my teeth at night, I get a lot of pain in my jaw.
Another disorder is TMJ this involves the joint where your jaw meets.
Most dentists will tell you do to exactly what you are doing---take ibuprophen.
Also you may try to place an ice pack and alternate with heat .
If you continue to have pain, make an appointment with your dentist. He may need to make you a night guard to ease up on the symptoms.
Could be TMJ Syndrome. Here's some more info about it. I've experienced it and it can be quite painful. Like your case, mine came on suddenly, too. Still happens occasionally. I'll wake up with my jaw all out of whack, and it hurts to open and close my mouth.
All the above answers are great. Also, were you chewing caramel or anything really tough or chewy yesterday? That can cause you to "strain" the muscles that control your jaw and lead to pain the next day. I'm assuming the pain is back behind the jaw, where you feel the bones and muscles moving when you open and close your mouth. Gently open and close your mouth before you go to bed and hold a little moist heat on it (warm washcloth). If it isn't better in a couple days, you'll need to have the dentist check you out for an abcess, infected wisdom tooth, or other dental problem.