Ear, Nose & Throat ENT Disorders An Overview of Jaw Pain By Kristin Hayes, RN facebook twitter Kristin Hayes, RN, is a registered nurse specializing in ear, nose, and throat disorders for both adults and children. Learn about our editorial process Kristin Hayes, RN Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by John Carew, MD on September 10, 2020 twitter linkedin John Carew, MD, is board-certified in otolaryngology and is an adjunct assistant professor at New York University Medical Center. Learn about our Medical Review Board John Carew, MD on September 10, 2020 Print Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Common Causes Rare Causes When to See a Doctor Diagnosis Treatment Finding out what causes jaw pain can be difficult, mostly because there are numerous sources from which the pain can originate, such as muscles, bones in the jaw, teeth, or areas of the body you do not necessarily suspect, like your ears, sinuses, or even your heart. Pain is your body's way of signaling that something is wrong—you're grinding your teeth, you have an infection, or you have a joint disorder, for example—so getting to the bottom of your jaw pain is important, not only for your comfort but also to fix the underlying problem, which can be serious. Verywell / Alexandra Gordon Common Causes The most common causes of jaw pain are dental issues and disorders that affect your temporomandibular joint, the joint that connects your lower jaw bone to your skull. Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Disorder The most common presenting signs and symptoms of temporomandibular joint disorder include jaw tenderness that may feel like a toothache, as well as headache or an earache. The pain may get worse when chewing food and a person may hear and/or feel a clicking or popping noise when eating, as well as an overall decreased jaw range of motion. In addition, this condition may be associated with neck stiffness and pain, and shoulder pain that radiates down the arm. Teeth Grinding (Bruxism) Teeth grinding can cause jaw pain and, since many people do this while sleeping, you may not be aware that you are, too. Symptoms of bruxism include jaw, face, and neck pain; headaches; and dental problems, including fractured and worn-down teeth. Besides teeth grinding, other muscle overuse conditions, like teeth clenching and excessive gum chewing, can also cause jaw pain. Toothaches There are multiple dental problems associated with jaw pain. For example, a cracked tooth may cause intermittent, dull or sharp jaw pain that is triggered by biting or eating. A cavity may cause constant pain that is worsened by hot or cold food. Other dental problems like tooth abscesses and dry sockets may also cause jaw pain. Infection An infection within the head and neck area, specifically a sinus or ear infection, may cause jaw pain. Besides jaw pain, other symptoms of sinusitis may include: FeverHeadacheToothacheCheek painNasal congestion Likewise, besides jaw pain, other symptoms of an ear infection may include difficulty hearing, vertigo, nausea, and occasionally, ear drainage. Trauma Injuries to the jaw or face, including a dislocated or broken jaw, can cause significant pain. Rare Causes While jaw pain is classically linked to a TMJ problem, infection, or dental issue, there are other causes that a doctor needs to consider. Heart Attack Jaw pain may signal a heart attack, a potentially life-threatening condition that warrants immediate medical attention. Besides a crushing or heavy feeling in the center or left side of the chest that may move to the jaw, neck, or shoulder, other potential symptoms of a heart attack include difficulty breathing, sweating, dizziness, nausea and vomiting, and weakness. If you or someone you're with may be having a heart attack, go to the emergency room or call 911 immediately. Autoimmune Conditions Autoimmune conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, Sjögren's syndrome, and systemic lupus erythematosus may also cause jaw pain, specifically symptoms that mimic those of TMJ disorder. Trigeminal Neuralgia Trigeminal neuralgia is a severely painful condition that affects the trigeminal nerve, which helps you detect facial sensations and move your jaw. This condition causes one-sided attacks of sharp, electric-shock-like pain in the lips, eyes, nose, jaw, forehead, and scalp. The pain is generally triggered by eating, talking, or exposing your face to cold air. Osteonecrosis of the Jaw Osteonecrosis occurs when the blood supply to a bone is disrupted and the bone begins to die. It can cause severe pain. Causes of osteonecrosis include excessive alcohol consumption, the use of corticosteroid medications, bisphosphonate medications, radiation therapy to the head and neck, and trauma. Cancer Certain types of cancer, like oral cancer, may cause jaw pain. With oral cancer, there may be other symptoms present, such as a persistent pain in the mouth, a sore in the mouth that doesn't heal, trouble chewing or moving the jaw, swelling of the jaw, loosening of the teeth, and a lump or mass in the neck. When to See a Doctor It may surprise you that the above list of jaw pain causes is not exhaustive. This is why it's important to seek out a proper diagnosis from a doctor or dentist. While the majority of jaw pain is not related to medical emergencies like a heart attack, if your discomfort is severe and/or prolonged, or if your pain is associated with symptoms like trouble breathing, chest pain, sweating, or dizziness, be sure to seek immediate medical attention. Diagnosis In order to access the cause of your jaw pain, your doctor will first ask you several questions about your pain, like when it began, how severe it is, and whether the pain is intermittent or constant. They will also inquire about whether there has been any recent jaw trauma, as well as habits that may trigger jaw pain. The timing of the jaw pain, like whether it occurs in the morning upon awakening, can also help a doctor figure out the diagnosis. Physical Exam After a thorough history, your doctor will begin the physical examination, with a close look at your mouth, teeth, TMJ, neck, and shoulders. Specifically, for suspected TMJ disorder, your doctor may measure the range of motion of your jaw opening. While a normal opening is 40 to 55 millimeters, people with TMJ often have a jaw opening that is less than 30 millimeters. Patients with TMJ may also have muscle tenderness around the TMJ, as well as joint crepitus (a crackling sensation) or a clicking sound when the jaw opens and closes. Lastly, it's common for a doctor to do a cranial nerve exam, in order to ensure that the pain you are experiencing is not related to an irritated or compressed nerve (for example, trigeminal neuralgia). Labs and Tests Bloodwork is not often needed to access jaw pain unless there is a concern for an autoimmune condition, at which point pertinent antibodies and inflammatory markers may be drawn. In addition, if you are being ruled out for a heart attack in the emergency room, an electrocardiogram and blood tests (for example, cardiac enzymes) will be ordered. Imaging Depending on the findings from the history and physical examination, imaging tests may help provide additional insight or confirm a diagnosis. For certain causes of jaw pain, like TMJ disorder, a dental problem, or a fractured or dislocated jaw, a plain X-ray or panoramic X-ray is usually sufficient. For more complex diagnoses, such as osteonecrosis of the jaw, or for the diagnosis of a sinus infection, a computed tomography (CT) scan may be ordered. Magnetic resonance imaging scans (MRIs) are often used to more thoroughly evaluate TMJ in people with chronic or severe pain. An MRI may also be used to evaluate the trigeminal nerve in trigeminal neuralgia. Treatment The treatment of jaw pain depends on its cause but may include therapies like taking a certain medication, employing self-care strategies, or undergoing surgery. Medications and Self-Care Specific medications are prescribed for certain diagnoses—for instance, an antibiotic will be prescribed for a sinus or ear infection, while the anticonvulsant Tegretol (carbamazepine) or Trileptal (oxcarbazepine) is used to treat trigeminal neuralgia. For TMJ disorder, a combination of medications (for example, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory and/or a muscle relaxant) and self-care therapies (for example, trigger avoidance and changing sleeping posture) is recommended. If teeth grinding is the culprit behind your painful jaw, a mouthguard may be helpful. Mouth guards can either be purchased at a drugstore and molded to fit your teeth, or you can have one custom-made at your dentist's office. Surgery Surgery is often one of the primary treatments for oral cancer, and surgical repair may be necessary for a jaw fracture. A Word From Verywell While getting to the bottom of your jaw pain may take a little patience and persistence on your end, especially if you find yourself going back and forth between your dentist and your primary care doctor, rest assured that once the source is found and a diagnosis is made, the vast majority of people can obtain relief. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. TMJ disorders: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. MedlinePlus. Nov 6, 2019. Shetty S, Pitti V, Satish babu CL, Surendra kumar GP, Deepthi BC. Bruxism: a literature review. J Indian Prosthodont Soc. 2010;10(3):141-8. doi:10.1007/s13191-011-0041-5 Dental cavities: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. MedlinePlus. Nov 6, 2019. Battisti AS, Pangia J. Sinusitis. Treasure Island, Fl: StatPearls Publishing; 2019. López-lópez J, Garcia-vicente L, Jané-salas E, Estrugo-devesa A, Chimenos-küstner E, Roca-elias J. Orofacial pain of cardiac origin: review literature and clinical cases. Med Oral Patol Oral Cir Bucal. 2012;17(4):e538-44. doi:10.4317/medoral.17636 Saccucci M, Di carlo G, Bossù M, Giovarruscio F, Salucci A, Polimeni A. Autoimmune Diseases and Their Manifestations on Oral Cavity: Diagnosis and Clinical Management. J Immunol Res. 2018;2018:6061825. doi:10.1155/2018/6061825 Trigeminal Neuralgia Fact Sheet. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Aug 13, 2019. Avascular Necrosis | Osteonecrosis. MedlinePlus. Mar 17, 2016. Oral Cancer. MedlinePlus. Published August 18, 2016. Dimitroulis G. Management of temporomandibular joint disorders: A surgeon's perspective. Aust Dent J. 2018;63 Suppl 1:S79-S90. doi:10.1111/adj.12593 Less Is Often Best In Treating TMJ Disorders. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. May 2013. Additional Reading American College of Rheumatology (2017). Osteonecrosis of the Jaw. American Dental Association-Mouth Healthy (n.d.). Jaw Pain. Gauer RL, Semidey MJ. Diagnosis and treatment of temporomandibular disorders. Am Fam Physician. 2015 Mar 15;91(6):378-86.