Hi girls,


I've had jaw pain for the last few days, its very painful and seems to be getting worse.. the pain is right in the joint. I can't fully open my mouth without it hurting -- However, I can still talk, much to my husbands dismay What could it be? Who do I see first, doctor or dentist? I've never experienced this before --

As always, your thoughts are appreciated.


Thanks

EP,

I would probably start with my dentist/oral surgeon. They have a panorex machine to take full mouth x-rays. Most likely you've had them in the past. The machine moves from one side of your face to the other and gives a complete view of the mandible. Stay away from small Urgent Care settings for this one as they generally don't have the equipment to make a full assessment.

Hope you feel better soon!

happy46

Hi EP.....I have had the pain in the jaw joint too. I have mild TMJ and when I get stressed, I grind. Another thing that aggravates my jaw joint is chewing a lot of gum....don't know if you are a chewer or not I would see my dentist like was suggested by Happy46 and get panoramic x-rays.

Hugs,
CG

Hi there,
My jaw pain has been much relieved by the use of an oral splint made by my dentist. I'd start with the dentist first. Also, I found acupuncture really helped relieve the pain also. Anxiety made the symptoms worse for me.
Good luck. I hope you get relief soon.
Gabby

Hi,
This could just be a misplacement of the jaw, sometimes the bones slip over each other, if you were opening your mouth very wide, yawning etc. You may not be aware that it happened. It has happened to me a couple of times and I was able to just move it back into place by opening my mouth and tapping it back lightly. I know it sounds funny. But it is really easy to put back, if that is the problem!.
Alfreda

I would suggest starting with the dentist for jaw pain. They are trained to handle this sory of thing.

I really empathize. There are times when I feel like both my jaws are in a vice. But they hurt like crazy at the same time. My pain is almost always associated with pain in my neck and shoulders. All of my stress seems to settle in that area of my body. Plus, I know I am a tooth grinder (isn't that a lovely image?) so I am not surprised when my whole face and upper body feel like they are on fire.

Fortunately, I find that Tylenol or ibuprofen helps a lot. Except of course when my sinuses chime in. Then there is no rest for the weary.

EP, I hope you find some relief soon.

Many hugs,
Marcy

Anxiety made me clench my jaw and I also had that pain on the right side of my jaw which would even go down my neck and up to my eye. I was also eating a lot of nuts and mostly on the right side, which was not a good idea.
Aspirin helped and also taking a tranquillizer to stop the anxiety. It took a few months to go away again, so don't despair!
So, yes, go to your dentist. You might be grinding your teeth and/or clenching your jaw.
Good luck! Jonie

I agree with everyone, the dentist is a good place to start. It could be tmj, google the symptoms and you'll be surprised how it affects so many things. I am not a doctor, but after having tmj myself, it could be that. Nothing life threatening, just a nuisance. Good luck.

i've had jaw pain since i was a teen---the only time it went away was when i was pregnant. none of the dentist helped me---only one mentioned he thought it was related to hormones. and since it didn't hurt when i was pregnant and has gotten worse now that i'm starting perimenopause ---i believe that one dentist. but none of the other dentist will agree. i have found over the years that moist heat---ibuprophen---and message help. message on the inside of the mouth also. good luck

Hi ladies -
Just wanted to say thank you to all of you who responded to my post. I've been to see my doctor and explained about the painful jaw -- she said its all hormone related. I have no Jaw pain whatsoever at the moment,... i am mid-cycle so I guess that explains it. These hormones must be pretty powerful chemicals to affect us all in such a profound way --


(((hugs))) to you all and thanks!