The human jaw is a complex joint – perhaps more complex than most people realize. Known technically as the temporomandibular joint, or TM joint, it is a sliding hinge that connects your jaw to your skull. At Wetaskiwin Family Dental in Wetaskiwin, we know a condition called TMD can give people a lot of trouble.
Jaw pain has various causes, such as sinusitis. Sinusitis is the inflammation of the tissues that line your sinuses. When they’re inflamed, the sinuses exert pressure on surrounding areas. If it’s near the jaw, it can give you pain there. This happens a lot with a cold or allergies.
Jaw pain is often due to some type of dental issues, such as TMD, or temporomandibular disorder. In truth, TMD refers to a variety of conditions that affect the TM joints. Symptoms include:
Pain in or around the ear
- Headaches
- Neck aches
- Jaw pain
- Difficulty opening or closing the mouth
- Clicking or popping when opening the mouth
TMD is more common in women than in men, especially women of childbearing age. It is also the most common non-dental, chronic facial pain.
Jaw pain should never be ignored. If you suspect you or a loved one has TMD, call a dentist near you to see about treatment. We also provide general and cosmetic dentistry.