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What to Do When You First Notice Jaw Pain


Posted on 8/13/2018 by Dr McMurray
hat to Do When You First Notice Jaw PainHave you ever opened your mouth to yawn or eat a piece of food only to feel this stabbing pain in your jaw? What about waking up and feeling sore right by your ears?

Feeling pain anywhere in your body can not only ruin your day, but it can bring on a host of other issues and it's important to get to the root of the problem.

What should you do when you first notice jaw pain? There are some conditions that could be causing your discomfort, so you should not overlook this discomfort.

What is TMD?


The most common reason for pain in your jaw is what is known as TMJ or temporomandibular joint, which is located right by the ears. If you put a finger by the ear opening and open and close your mouth, you will feel the joint popping in and out.

When there's a problem with the TMJ, it usually leads to temporomandibular disorder or TMD. In this case, there is a flaw in the joint or muscles that help your jaw function when eating or opening and closing your mouth, which can cause it to pop and hurt.

How to Manage Jaw Pain?


Here are some things you can do immediately when you first notice jaw pain:

•  Take over-the-counter pain medications.
•  Use a warm rag and place over the face.
•  Avoid eating hard foods that require continuous chewing.
•  Chew on both sides of your mouth.
•  Try to relax your jaw muscles by lifting your tongue and holding for a couple of seconds.

It's important to get seen by our dentist any time you have pain in your jaw before the symptoms get worse. We will determine what the best treatment to make you feel better is. Give us a call and we will set you up for an evaluation!

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