Reasons for jaw pain while exercising range from localized problems with your teeth to serious heart issues. Your teeth and gums are sensitive to sustained impact. Blood vessels and nerves in your jaw may also respond to any weaknesses in the heart or circulatory system. If you suspect that your jaw pain is linked to circulation problems, consult a doctor as soon as possible.
Clenched Teeth
Some people clench or slam their teeth together when exercising -- particularly during competitive sports or serious training. Clenching your teeth for long periods can put pressure on the gums and the nerves beneath your teeth. This could also be related to a condition known as bruxism where sufferers gnash their teeth together without realizing. In serious cases, you could crack your tooth. Take notice of how your jaw tightens as your exercise. You may need to ask a friend to observe and tell you if you're pressing your teeth together.
Angina
Angina is a form of chest pain that occurs when your heart doesn't get enough oxygenated blood. When exercising, your circulatory system has to work harder to pump blood to your heart. In some cases, your body may not be able to cope with the demand. Angina often develops into jaw pain. Women may experience this type of jaw pain more frequently than men. With any chest pains, you should schedule a visit to your physician as soon as you can.
Heart Attack
If you experience jaw pain that spreads from the chest to the arm or jaw, then this could be an indicator of a heart attack. An impending heart attack usually produces a sharper pain than angina. If you're overweight or don't exercise regularly, then sudden exercise could put too much pressure on your heart. Visit your closest emergency room straight away if you suspect a heart attack.
Trigeminal Neuralgia
Your trigeminal neuralgic nerve runs along the side of your head. Damage to this nerve can cause sharp pain in the jaw. Exercise may trigger the pain, though it can occur at any time from even the softest movements. Most trigeminal neuralgia pain stays on one side of the face and also affects your cheek or nose. The pain can last anywhere from seconds to minutes. The most common cause is a vein or artery touching the nerve, but in some cases the condition relates to underlying serious conditions such as a tumor or multiple sclerosis. For that reason, you should speak to your physician as soon as you can following sharp jaw pains.
References
- University of Washington Women's Health; Women and Heart Disease; Christina Coops, RN, BSN; February 2003
- Harvard Health Publications: Chest Pain: A Heart Attack or Something Else?
- Cedars-Sinai Medical Center: Trigeminal Neuralgia
- MedlinePlus; Chest Pain; May 14, 2010
- MedlinePlus; Bruxism; Feb. 22, 2010
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