Our Glendale Dentists Encourage All Patients To Seek Prompt Treatment For Jaw Pain

Written by Dr. McKay on Mar 12, 2019

In many cases, the signs and red flags that we have to indicate underlying dental problems are hard to decipher. Jaw pain is a good example; jaw pain can be caused by a number of dental or oral health issues. When you experience jaw discomfort, it is crucial that you reach out to your dental team for assessment and treatment. Keep reading to learn more from our Glendale dentists:

Jaw pain may occur for a number of different reasons; honing in on the “why” of the problem can help determine the “how” for treatment.

  • Increased stress

In times of stress, many people end up unconsciously clenching or grinding their teeth. This puts immense pressure on the temporomandibular joints, and can cause pain. Stress-reduction measures, facial massages, and exercises can help disrupt this habit and release tension.

  • Poorly aligned bite surfaces

Sometimes jaw discomfort develops due to poorly aligned teeth; when our top and bottom teeth do not come together evenly, we adjust our bites in order to compensate. Again, this irritates the temporomandibular joints.

Undergoing orthodontic treatment can move your teeth into better alignment, so that your top and bottom teeth are in balance. Additionally, treatments like dental bonding and customized restorations can be used to build up disproportionate teeth.

  • Periodontal disease & cavities

Infections that are located in the back of the smile may feel like jaw pain. In these cases, treating an existing cavity or gum infection is a necessary step the pain, and prevent bacteria from spreading. Untreated infections can ultimately lead to tooth loss, gum tissue erosion, and even jaw bone deterioration.

As you can see, jaw pain isn’t necessarily a straightforward symptom. Our Glendale dentists help people uncover the root causes of their discomfort. Once we’ve done the investigatory work, we are able to tailor the patient’s treatment protocol to fit their unique needs.