Some pain radiates upward, which may cause pain in the head, ear, eyes, etc. However, when the pain radiates downward, it can cause pain near your teeth. Pain from TMJ can be dull, sharp, searing, sporadic, constant, etc.
Is it TMJ or tooth infection?
If you have a tooth abscess near the TMJ, it may radiate and feel like TMJ pain. On the other hand, the abscess may put pressure on the TMJ, causing it to slightly misalign. A tooth abscess is likely if you do not take care of your teeth, or you have recently damaged a tooth.
Can TMJ cause throbbing tooth pain?
Quite simply, yes, TMJ disorders can cause tooth pain. When you’re suffering from a TMD , your joint or the muscles attached to it could be damaged or functioning improperly. When this happens, it can cause your muscles to tighten up, which in turn can result in headaches.
What does TMJ pain feel like?
TMJ can cause referred pain in the form of headaches, neck pain, shoulder aches, and even toothaches. The pain may worsen when moving the jaw, but it can sometimes be felt even at rest.
How do I know if my jaw pain is TMJ?
Signs and symptoms of TMJ disorders may include:
- Pain or tenderness of your jaw.
- Pain in one or both of the temporomandibular joints.
- Aching pain in and around your ear.
- Difficulty chewing or pain while chewing.
- Aching facial pain.
- Locking of the joint, making it difficult to open or close your mouth.
Where is TMJ pain located?
It hurts over the joint, immediately in front of the ear, but pain can also radiate elsewhere. It often causes spasms in the adjacent muscles attached to the bones of the skull, face, and jaws. Pain can also be felt at the side of the head (the temple), the cheek, the lower jaw, and the teeth.
Where does TMJ pain hurt?
Jaw Pain. TMJ-related jaw pain can be felt at the temples and it may extend all the way down to the sides of the upper jaw and beyond. Sometimes instead of pain, patients experience a feeling of discomfort, often described as feeling as if their jaw is out of alignment.
Can TMJ cause nerve pain in teeth?
TMJ refers to an array of conditions that relate to your TM joints, jaw muscles, and facial nerves. TMJ may occur when the jaw twists during opening, closing or side-motion movements. When you clench or grind your teeth, you are putting excessive pressure on your teeth which could lead to nerve damage.
What does a jaw infection feel like?
Symptoms of a jaw bone infection or dental abscess include: Pain in the mouth or jaw. Redness or swelling. Drainage of pus from the area.
How long will TMJ pain last?
Acute TMJ symptoms and signs may last anywhere from a few days to a few weeks and then disappear after the injury or cause of discomfort has resolved. For a chronic TMJ condition, the symptoms can be ongoing with episodes of sharp and/or dull pain that occur over an extended period of time (months to years).
Can TMJ feel like toothache?
Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain can put you out of commission because of how severe it can be. However, because of its location and the responsibilities it holds, TMJ pain can often feel like dental pain. If you have jaw pain and aren’t sure if it’s TMJ disorder or a toothache, keep reading to learn more.
What can TMJ be mistaken for?
Conditions That May Be Mistaken for TMJ Disorder
- Trigeminal Neuralgia. Just as you have two temporomandibular joints on each side of the face, you also have two trigeminal nerves that control your jaw. …
- Cluster, Migraine, or Tension Headaches. …
- Sinus Issues. …
- Other Causes of TMJ Pain.
What causes TMJ to flare up?
Stress is one of the biggest culprits of TMJ flare-ups. Stress often causes teeth grinding or clenching that can exacerbate TMJ symptoms. Another common trigger is eating hard, crunchy or chewy foods, such as raw carrots, crunchy bagels, tough cuts of meat, whole apples and nuts.
What can mimic a toothache?
Jaw joints.
Because of their proximity to the teeth, the pain from the joints can radiate into the dental area and mimic a toothache.