At Dr. Bill Dorfman, DDS – Century City Aesthetic Dentistry, we treat several causes of pain in the oral area. In today’s article, we will discuss jaw pain.

Sometimes it’s difficult to identify the cause of jaw pain.

Here are some of the possible causes:

Infection

A localized infection can trigger or aggravate jaw pain. An infection puts your tooth and jaw bone at risk, so swift intervention is essential for many reasons. If your jaw starts swelling, call us immediately. This could indicate a severe, fast-moving infection.

Temporomandibular Joint and Muscle Disorder (TMD)

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is the hinge-type joint that allows you to open and close your mouth. Chronic TMD can be debilitating. Teeth clenching or grinding can cause or exacerbate TMD. It can also be caused by injury or arthritis. Some men and women who suffer from TMD notice flare-ups when they are under a lot of stress. If stress is the only cause, stress-reducing behaviors can help you prevent it or reduce the severity. But the first step is diagnosing the cause.

Sinusitis

Sinusitis is an inflammation of the tissues that line your sinuses. Inflammation commonly occurs with a cold or allergies. When these tissues are inflamed, they can create pressure in the surrounding areas. Thus, inflammation from a cold or allergies can lead to jaw pain.

Heart Attack

A heart attack can generate pain in some surprising places, including the jaw. If jaw pain comes on suddenly and is accompanied by shortness of breath, chest pain, or dizziness, call an ambulance ASAP. Be especially concerned about pain only in the left jaw joint.

You May Need Additional Treatment From a Medical Healthcare Provider

Jaw pain can be associated with a combination of factors, both dental and medical.

If the cause of your jaw pain warrants an additional medical specialist, we will refer you to a trusted professional. We work with your healthcare team to provide the best possible care.

Jaw Pain Doesn’t Have to Wait Until Monday

If you have an urgent jaw dilemma in the evening or on the weekend, the team at Dr. Bill Dorfman, DDS – Century City Aesthetic Dentistry can take care of you.

Contact Dr. Bill Dorfman, DDS – Century City Aesthetic Dentistry:

310-277-5678

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

2080 Century Park E Ste 1601
Los Angeles, California
90067