There are numerous causes of painful jaw joints. According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health, or NIH, the jaw joints, also known as the temporomandibular joints, are located just in front of the ear and are a common location for pain or discomfort. Pain in the jaw joints can be caused by problems within the joint itself or with the muscles that surround or act upon the joint.
TMJ Disorders
Temporomandibular joint, or TMJ, disorders can cause painful jaw joints. According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, or NIDCR, which is a division of the National Institutes of Health, there are three principle types of TMJ disorders: myofascial pain, internal joint derangement and arthritis. The NIDCR states that myofascial pain is the most common TMJ disorder, and that it involves pain or discomfort in the muscles that govern jaw movement. Internal TMJ derangement can be caused by a displaced TMJ disc, a dislocated jaw or an injury to the condyle that links the jaw to the skull. Arthritis, especially osteoarthritis, is an inflammatory and degenerative joint disorder that can affect the TMJ, causing pain and discomfort in one or both sides of the face. According to the NIDCR, a person can have one or more of these disorders at any point, and most people have relatively mild forms of the disorders.
Traumatic Injury
Traumatic injury can cause painful jaw joints. The National Institutes of Health, or NIH, states that the two most common types of jaw trauma are a broken jaw or a dislocated jaw. Both of these conditions can cause TMJ pain. According to the NIH, broken or dislocated jaws typically heal fully following appropriate treatment, although future jaw dislocations are more likely to occur following the initial injury. Possible complications of traumatic TMJ injury include blocked airways, breathing blood or food into the lungs, difficulty eating and talking, jaw infection and teeth problems. Symptoms vary slightly between broken and dislocated jaws, although these injuries share many symptoms. Common signs and symptoms associated with broken and dislocated jaws include the following: TMJ pain or discomfort, limited jaw movement, facial bruising and swelling, jaw stiffness, drooling and difficulty speaking.
Bruxism
Bruxism can cause painful jaw joints. According to the Mayo Clinic website, bruxism is a condition in which a person clenches, grinds or gnashes her teeth. Most people with bruxism are unaware that they are clenching their teeth. Bruxism can occur during the day or night. Teeth grinding at night is known as sleep bruxism. The Mayo Clinic website states that bruxism ranges from mild to severe. A person with mild bruxism may benefit from relaxation techniques, such as meditation. More severe forms of the disorder may require other types of treatment to control or eliminate symptoms. Common signs and symptoms associated with bruxism include the following: TMJ pain or discomfort, jaw muscle tightness, enlarged or hypertrophied jaw muscles, earache, headache, worn teeth, heightened tooth sensitivity and chronic facial pain. Anxiety and stress is one of the most common causes of bruxism, according to the Mayo Clinic website.
