Numerous conditions and injuries can cause jaw and face pain. According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, most jaw and face pain is harmless and temporary. Pain in the affected area usually dissipates on its own, with little or no treatment necessary. However, in some cases, jaw and face pain can signal a serious underlying condition that may involve long-term pain, discomfort or other symptoms.
Traumatic Injury
Traumatic injuries can cause jaw and face pain. According to the MedlinePlus website, jaw and face trauma, such as a broken or dislocated jawbone, may be caused by assault, an industrial accident, an automobile accident or a sports-related injury. Common signs and symptoms associated with these types of jaw and face traumas include difficulty opening or closing the mouth, difficulty speaking, a bite that feels out of line, drooling, jaw protrusion, mouth bleeding, pain in and around the affected area, jaw stiffness, facial bruising and swelling, loose or damaged teeth, and face numbness. Some types of jaw and face trauma can lead to serious health complications, such as airway blockages, difficulty eating, jaw or face infection, misalignment of the teeth and jaw, jaw joint pain, and breathing blood into the lungs. The MedlinePlus website states that broken or dislocated jaws usually heal fully following appropriate treatment.
Jaw Tumor
A jaw tumor can cause jaw and face pain. The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals states that numerous tumor types---benign and malignant---can manifest in the jaw. The jaw consists of the mandible, or lower part of the jaw, and the maxilla, or upper part of the jaw. Common signs and symptoms associated with jaw tumors include pain, swelling and tenderness in and around the affected area, along with unexplained tooth mobility, or loose teeth. In some cases, jaw tumors are discovered following dental X-rays, while others are found by dentists during routine evaluations of the oral cavity and teeth. According to The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals, the most common type of jaw tumor is squamous cell carcinoma. Squamous cell carcinoma passes through dental sockets to invade the nearby bone. The most aggressive types of tumors that can affect the jaw and cause jaw and face pain include osteosarcoma, Ewing's sarcoma, multiple myeloma and metastatic tumors.
Angina Pectoris
Angina pectoris can cause jaw and face pain. According to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, angina pectoris occurs when a portion of a person's heart muscle does not receive sufficient amounts of oxygenated blood. The most common cause of angina pectoris is coronary artery disease. Coronary artery disease occurs when plaque accumulates within the coronary arteries, which are the arteries that deliver freshly oxygenated blood to the heart. Common signs and symptoms associated with angina pectoris include chest pain that may feel like pressure or squeezing and pain in the face, neck, jaw, shoulders, arms and back. In some cases, angina pectoris-related pain mimics the pain from indigestion or heartburn. NHLBI states that angina pectoris is not a disease but rather a symptom of a serious underlying heart problem.
