March 5, 2025
Have you ever felt that your jaw is in pain? Or Did you ever notice that your jaw is hurting on one side when you are chewing or talking? Jaw pain can be annoying. And the intensity of jaw pain varies from mild soreness to agonising pain affecting normal daily activities.
There are many possible reasons behind pain, but dental issues are considered as basic and common cause for jaw discomfort.
Ignoring sharp pain in jaws can lead to even worse conditions, thus, it is important to learn about the causes of your jaw pain and when to visit a dentist. Read on to find out what could be causing your jaw pain and when to take action.
What are the Possible Dental Causes of Jaw Pain?
Jaw pains are mostly linked to dental-related problems. Here are some of the most common causes behind your jaw pain:
Cause 1: Tooth Infections and Abscesses
An untreated cavity or deep tooth decay can lead to infections such as abscesses in the tooth’s root. A tooth abscess can cause immense pressure and inflammation in your jaw. This can result in pain and discomfort in your jaw.
Ignoring such infected teeth can damage surrounding tissues and jaw bone which can make your jaw pain worse.
Cause 2: Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Disorders
TMJ disorders (TMD) refer to the condition affecting the joint that connects your jaw with your skull. TMD produces pain, stiffness, and limited movement of your jaw. Clicking noises when opening your jaw, pain in jaw when eating, or tenderness on one or both sides of the face are its symptoms.
Cause 3: Impacted Wisdom Teeth
When your jaw doesn’t have enough space for the wisdom teeth to grow, it can lead to impaction and pain in your jaw and adjacent teeth. An impacted wisdom tooth can cause swelling, infection, and difficulty chewing or opening the mouth. Such a wisdom tooth can especially cause extra pain in jaw at night.
Cause 4: Teeth Grinding (Bruxism)
Grinding or clenching teeth commonly happens unconsciously, particularly at night. It exerts pressure on your jaw muscles and joints, which results in jaw pain with swelling. Cracking in jaw when chewing and regular headaches are some symptoms of bruxism.
Cause 5: Dental Procedures or Trauma
Dental procedures such as filling, extraction, root canal treatment or teeth replacement can sometimes lead to temporary jaw pain. This temporary jaw pain is caused due to prolonged mouth opening during procedures.
Cause 6: Bite Issues or Misaligned Teeth
Misaligned teeth are crooked, crowded or improperly positioned teeth. And they lead to an uneven bite when your upper teeth set and lower teeth do not fit properly. An uneven bite or misaligned teeth usually causes extra stress on your jaw joints and muscles. It causes chronic jaw pain when your teeth are chewing or even talking.
Cause 7: Gum Disease and Inflammation
Gum disease may also lead to jaw pain, particularly if the infection spreads to the bone that supports your teeth. This advanced stage of gum disease is known as periodontitis. It may cause the gums to recede, teeth to become loose, and deep infections, which all can contribute to jaw discomfort.
In such cases deep cleaning and other gum treatments become necessary to control infection and lessen your jaw pain.
When to See a Dentist?
Most ulcers heal on their own and are not a cause for concern if they last for one to two weeks. However, if an ulcer persists beyond that or starts growing, it could be a sign of an underlying issue. Additionally, if your ulcer is accompanied by other symptoms like swelling, difficulty swallowing, or bleeding, it’s important not to ignore it. In some cases, a lingering ulcer may indicate a more serious condition, such as an infection or even oral cancer. Seeking professional advice can help determine the cause and ensure timely treatment.
Dr. Malavi Sivakanesan (292322)
Dr. Malavi Sivakanesan is the principal dentist and co-founder at Complete Smiles in Harrow, Greater London. She is responsible for establishing the Complete Smiles brand throughout the United Kingdom and Europe and has 5 successful practices under her strong leadership.