There are many reasons why pain is experienced in the jaw. According to MedlinePlus, jaw pain can manifest in any of the structures that compose the jaw, including cartilage, muscles, bone, blood vessels and nerves. Jaw pain can range in severity from mild to marked and can affect a person's quality of life.
Bruxism
Bruxism can cause jaw pain. According to MayoClinic.com, bruxism is a disorder that involves jaw and teeth grinding, clenching or gnashing. Bruxism can occur during the day or at night. Teeth grinding at night is known as sleep bruxism. Most people are unaware that they are grinding their teeth. The severity of bruxism ranges considerably among individuals. In some cases, no treatment is necessary. In other cases, however, bruxism can cause jaw disorders, headaches and tooth damage.
Common signs and symptoms of bruxism include teeth grinding that's loud enough to wake a person's partner at night, worn down or chipped teeth, heightened tooth sensitivity, jaw pain, jaw muscle tightness, jaw-related ear pain, enlarged jaw muscles, face pain, tongue indentations and cheek damage. Bruxism can be caused by anxiety, suppressed anger and jaw growth and development.
Osteomyelitis
Osteomyelitis can cause jaw pain. MedlinePlus states that osteomyelitis is an acute or chronic bone infection that can be caused by bacteria or fungi. Infection can spread from a person's skin, muscles or tendons to neighboring bones; the osteomyelitis-related infection can manifest in a remote part of the body and travel through the bloodstream to invade bone. A bone injury, either current or past, can predispose a person to osteomyelitis in the affected area. Surgery can also predispose a person to infection, especially surgery that follows a traumatic injury or surgery that involves placing metal rods or plates in the bone.
Common signs and symptoms associated with osteomyelitis of the jaw include jaw bone pain, fever, malaise and swelling, redness and warmth over the affected jaw area. Some people with osteomyelitis may also experience chills, excessive sweating, back pain and lower extremity swelling.
Temporomandibular Joint Syndrome
Temporomandibular joint syndrome can cause jaw pain. According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, temporomandibular joint syndrome, also known as temporomandibular joint disorder or TMD, is a disorder of the jaw and the chewing muscles or muscles of mastication. Temporomandibular joint disorders are categorized as one of three types: myofascial pain or pain in the muscles that control jaw function; internal derangement or damage to the temporomandibular joint; and degenerative and inflammatory disorders of the temporomandibular joint. Common signs and symptoms associated with TMD include face, jaw or neck pain, jaw muscle stiffness, reduced jaw active range of motion, jaw popping, clicking or grating when opening or closing the mouth and changes in the way the upper and lower sets of teeth contact each other.
