Pain in the jaw bone can result directly from bone problems or from tissue surrounding the jaw. Arthritis-Treatment-and-Relief.com states the jaw joint, or temporomandibular joint, can move up and down, side to side, and back to front. The muscles, bones and ligaments forming the joint make this movement possible, so any disruption to these structures can lead to discomfort.
Infection
Osteomyelitis, or infection of the bone, is commonly caused by infections in another part of the body or contamination to the bone itself, according to the Mayo Clinic. Although pain and swelling in the area of infection is common, sometimes osteomyelitis can occur without any noticeable symptoms.
Painful infections also occur around the jaw bone in the teeth or the soft tissue surrounding the bone. New York Presbyterian Hospital states the swelling resulting from this type of infection can cause difficulty breathing and if left untreated, damage to the bone.
Arthritis
Arthritis-Treatment-and-Relief.com states jaw arthritis results from conditions such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, infectious arthritis, Lyme disease, or injury. Osteoarthritis sufferers experience painful grating of the jaw, while rheumatoid arthritis leads to unusual shifting of the teeth. Both conditions can result in fusion or locking of the jaw bone with a decrease in range of motion. Injuries such as dislocation or fracture can also lead to arthritis and its associated stiffness and discomfort.
Cancer
New York Presbyterian Hospital points out most tumors of the jaw bone result from medical issues related to the teeth and are non-malignant. Cancerous growths that originate in the jaw are uncommon and are more likely to occur due to the spreading of cancer cells from another area of the body.
Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction
The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research reports over 10 million Americans suffer from Temporomandibular Joint Disorders or TMJ. While a history of injury to the jaw has been linked to TMJ other causes remain uncertain. It is possible for the pain of TMJ to resolve without medical intervention but some people require comfort measures such as applying ice packs, eating soft foods or taking non-prescription pain relievers.
Heart Attack
Pain from a heart attack can also radiate into the jaw bone, according to Arthritis-Treatment-and-Relief.com. This type of pain also causes discomfort in the chest and the patient may experience nausea and sweating. Emergency help must be notified immediately if this occurs.
