Which Doctor To Consult For Jaw Pain
You Should See a Dentist for TMJ Disorder – TMJ disorder is most often diagnosed and treated by a dentist. A dentist diagnoses and treats your oral health as a whole, which includes the jaw. Symptoms and problems related to the jaw also affect the health of your teeth in many cases, and vice versa.
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What doctor is best for jaw pain?
The Best Type of Doctor to See for TMJ Pain – If you’re experiencing TMJ pain, you should see a dentist. Dentists don’t just treat your teeth—they’re specialists who are trained in the anatomy of the jaw and diagnosing dysfunction in the bite. TMJ pain is complex and a skilled dentist can help determine the underlying cause of your disorder and symptoms you may not even realize are being caused by misalignment of the jaw.
Should I see a dentist or doctor for jaw pain?
If you notice tenderness in your jaw, pain when you bite or endure frequent headaches, make sure to schedule an appointment with your dentist. Although some causes of jaw pain are temporary and go away on their own, you may be experiencing the first symptoms of a serious dental problem.
Does ENT deal with jaw pain?
How is TMJ pain treated? – Because TMJ symptoms often develop in the head and neck, otolaryngologists are appropriately qualified to diagnose TMJ problems. Proper diagnosis of TMJ begins with a detailed history and physical, including careful assessment of the teeth occlusion and function of the jaw joints and muscles. An early diagnosis will likely respond to simple, self-remedies:
Rest the muscles and joints by eating soft foods.Do not chew gum.Avoid clenching or tensing.Relax muscles with moist heat (1/2 hour at least twice daily).
In cases of joint injury, apply ice packs soon after the injury to reduce swelling. Relaxation techniques and stress reduction, patient education, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, muscle relaxants or other medications may also offer relief. Other treatments for advanced cases may include fabrication of an occlusal splint to prevent wear and tear on the joint, improving the alignment of the upper and lower teeth, and surgery.
- After diagnosis, your otolaryngologist may suggest further consultation with your dentist and oral surgeon to facilitate effective management of TMJ pain.
- This information is provided by the American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, Inc., (AAO-HNS) and the American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery Foundation, Inc.
(AAO-HNSF) for educational purposes only. Any information provided in this website should not be considered medical advice or a substitute for a consultation with an Otolaryngologist – Head and Neck surgeon or other physician. : TMJ Pain
Do you go to the doctor for jaw pain?
When should I call a healthcare provider about jaw pain issues? – You should talk to a healthcare provider if you have jaw pain that lasts more than a week. Severe jaw pain from a broken or dislocated jaw is a medical emergency. Likewise, severe pain that starts in your chest and your shoulders and moves to your jaw may be a heart attack symptom.
Call 911 if you think your jaw is broken or dislocated or you have heart attack symptoms. A note from Cleveland Clinic Millions of people in the U.S. have jaw pain. Sometimes, jaw pain happens if you injure your jaw, but most jaw pain happens because you have issues with your teeth or you have a temporomandibular disorder that affects your jawbone and joints.
If you have jaw pain that lasts for more than a week, talk to a healthcare provider. They’ll find out why your jaw hurts and treat the issue. Get useful, helpful and relevant health + wellness information
Do dentists look at jaw pain?
How is TMJ Diagnosed? – Since other issues can have similar symptoms, your dentist will conduct a physical exam to determine the cause of your jaw pain, Your dentist will listen for jaw clicks and pops, test your bite, and check for tenderness or issues with your facial muscles.
Can a dentist fix my jaw?
Jaw Surgery – In some severe cases, your dental professional may recommend orthognathic surgery of your jaw. This procedure involves adjusting or repositioning your upper or lower jaw and is often used in combination with orthodontic correction like braces.
How do dentists fix jaw pain?
Examples of the types of medications general dentists may offer include muscle relaxants, anti-anxiety drugs, anti-inflammatory medications and analgesics. For patients who are experiencing extreme TMJ pain, temporary prescription pain relievers may be an option.
Can ENT diagnose jaw problems?
Because TMJ symptoms often develop in the head and neck, otolaryngologists are appropriately qualified to diagnose TMJ problems. Proper diagnosis of TMJ begins with a detailed history and physical, including careful assessment of the teeth occlusion and function of the jaw joints and muscles.
Why does my jaw hurt all the way to my ear?
8. Teeth grinding – If you grind your teeth, you may end up with a TMJ disorder and feel pain in your ears and jaw. This condition can:
impact the way your teeth alignerode your teethbreak down your TMJstrain your muscles
You may grind your teeth at night and not even realize it until pain or another symptom develops. Ear and jaw pain are not the only symptoms of these conditions. You may also experience the following:
TMJ disorder
facial painpain from chewingjaw clicking or lockingear ringinghearing lossneck and shoulder painteeth shifting and misalignmentheadaches
Arthritis
swelling in the jaw
Migraines
throbbing pain on one or both sides of your headnauseachanges to your vision or other senses
Swimmer’s ear
drainagepain along the face and neckhearing reductionitchingfever
Sinusitis
clogged nasal passagesgreen or yellow dischargesensitivity of the facecoughheadacherestricted ability to smell and taste
Cavities, periodontal disease, or dental abscesses
pain throughout the lower face and neckpain that gets worse when you lie downswelling in the gums and on the face loose or sensitive teethsensitivity to cold and hot foods and beveragesfever and flu-like symptoms
Teeth grinding
tooth sensitivityworn teethfacial and neck painheadachesleep disruption
Your doctor will conduct a physical exam to begin the diagnosis of your jaw and ear pain. Your doctor may also ask about your health history to find out more about your symptoms. Be sure to mention:
recent dental surgeriesillnessesinjurieschanges to your mental health like stress, anxiety, or depression
Your doctor may:
listen to your jawfeel your jaw and around your facelook in your earscheck your vital signsexamine your mouth
You may need an MRI, X-ray, or other imaging test to diagnose the condition. The cause of jaw and ear pain can vary and so can treatments. You may not seek treatment for TMJ, as 40 percent of cases resolve on their own and only 5 to 10 percent of cases require treatment. Treatments for a TMJ disorder can include:
resting your jawhome remediesusing over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medicationswearing a brace or splint to restrict jaw movementflushing your joint to reduce inflammationsurgery, in severe cases
Other causes of ear and joint pain may include similar treatments. Some conditions like arthritis, swimmer’s ear, and sinusitis may include specific medications. Your doctor may recommend certain anti-inflammatories for arthritis, steroids for swimmer’s ear, and nasal sprays for sinusitis, among other treatment options.
Change your diet to incorporate more soft foods.Stop chewing gum or other objects, such as the ends of pens or pencils.Relax and rest your jaw.Use a warm or cold compress to the jaw.Perform exercises that stretch the jaw, including slowly opening and closing your mouth several times.Avoid stress.
Some of these treatments may also work with other conditions causing ear and jaw pain. Take good care of your teeth to treat and avoid conditions that affect your mouth. Make sure to brush and floss regularly, eat a healthy diet, and quit smoking to avoid the buildup of bacteria in your mouth. You should see a doctor if your ear and jaw pain:
is accompanied by a fever or other flu-like symptomsgets in the way of your everyday activitiesinterferes with your sleeppersists despite treatmentsinhibits your ability to eat and drinkcauses pain or sensitivity in your teeth or gums
There are many reasons why you may experience jaw and ear pain at the same time. Often, the condition affecting both of them is related to only your jaw or ears but you feel referred pain in the other area. Talk to your doctor to determine the cause of the jaw and ear pain. This will help you treat the pain and avoid it from getting worse.
Who diagnoses jaw problems?
Exams and Tests – You may need to see more than one medical specialist for your TMJ pain and symptoms. This may include a health care provider, a dentist, or an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) doctor, depending on your symptoms. You will need a thorough exam that involves:
A dental exam to show if you have poor bite alignmentFeeling the joint and muscles for tendernessPressing around the head to locate areas that are sensitive or painfulSliding the teeth from side to sideWatching, feeling, and listening to the jaw open and shutX-rays, CT scan, MRI, Doppler test of the TMJ
Sometimes, the results of the physical exam may appear normal. Your provider will also need to consider other conditions, such as infections, nerve-related problems, and headaches that may be causing your symptoms.
Does TMJ show up on xray?
Abstract – The diagnosis and management of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) require both clinical and imaging examinations of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). A variety of modalities can be used to image the TMJ, including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), cone beam CT, ultrasonography, conventional radiography.
The present review outlines the indications of the most frequently used imaging techniques in TMD diagnosis. Because of the anatomic complexity of the TMJ, imaging can be difficult. Choosing the proper imaging technique is essential. Conventional radiography, nowadays, is of limited interest. The use of flat plane films for TMJ pathology is not sufficient, because this joint requires three dimensional imaging views.
Osseous changes are better visualized with CT and cone beam CT. Cone beam CT provides high-resolution multiplanar reconstruction of the TMJ, with a low radiation dose, without superimposition of the bony structures. MRI is a noninvasive technique, considered to be the gold standard in imaging the soft tissue components of the TMJ.
MRI is used to evaluate the articular disc in terms of location and morphology. Moreover, the early signs of TMD and the presence of joint effusion can be determined. High-resolution ultrasonography is a noninvasive, dynamic, inexpensive imaging technique, which can be useful in diagnosing TMJ disc displacements.
The diagnostic value of high-resolution ultrasonography is strictly dependent on the examiner’s skills and on the equipment used. Keywords: temporomandibular joint, temporomandibular disorders, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasonography
Can dentist tell if you have TMJ?
How Can a Dentist Help? – While many probably think of dentist as just teeth doctors, we can’t treat you properly without looking at your mouth as part of a system. That system definitely includes your temporomandibular joint. A dentist can help in diagnosing your TMJ disorder, and may also refer you to a physician or a specialist dentist for further diagnosis.
- Because TMJ can be caused by tooth and jaw alignment problems, there are dental treatments that may help.
- Your dentist may refer you to an orthodontist for treatments like braces, which can help realign the teeth and the jaws so that your mouth can close in the proper position.
- Treatment form an orthodontist can alleviate TMJ symptoms in many cases.
If your TMJ comes from teeth grinding or clenching, your dentist may recommend that you wear a custom dental appliance. Often called a bite plate or a splint, this appliance will keep your upper teeth from grinding against your lower teeth. In addition to alleviating TMJ symptoms, this bite guard will prevent wear on your teeth from grinding that can lead to other problems.
- Other treatments for TMJ include using hot and cold packs, taking anti-inflammatory and/or muscle relaxing medications, or learning relaxation techniques to reduce tension in your jaw muscles.
- In certain rare cases, TMJ may require jaw surgery to correct.
- If you are concerned that you may have symptoms that indicate TMJ, please speak with your dentist about it.
We want to get you relief from pain and discomfort as quickly as we can!
When should I go to the doctor for jaw and ear pain?
Tooth grinding – Grinding the teeth at night places stress on the muscles of the face, neck, and jaw. The tension can cause pain in the jaw, in the ears, and on the front or side of the face. Some people may also damage their teeth, slowly grinding them down or even breaking them.
Sleep with a mouth guard to prevent tooth grinding. Different types of mouth guard are available for purchase online, If the mouth guard helps but does not cure the symptoms, a person might need a custom mouth guard from a dentist. Try applying heat or ice to the injury, as this can ease pain and promote healing. Learn how to make a heating pad here. Gently massage the jaw to reduce muscle tension. Take a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), such as aspirin or ibuprofen, Try stretching the sternocleidomastoid by tilting the ear down toward the shoulder and holding it there for 5–10 seconds. Repeat on the other side.Stretch the jaw muscles by opening the mouth and jutting out the lower jaw, then holding this position for 5–10 seconds. Next, try moving the teeth forward and back and from side to side in a circular motion.
Infections almost always require antibiotics. Sometimes, a person needs other medical treatments, particularly in the case of serious infections, such as mastoiditis. If home remedies fail, medical treatment options include:
orthodontic treatment to align the teeth and jaw TMJ surgery to reduce TMJ pain a custom fitted device to prevent tooth grinding mental health treatment, for when a person grinds their teeth because of anxiety prescription medication for arthritis physical therapy to treat jaw injuries or manage arthritis more effectively treatment for cavities, such as fillings, root canals, or crownsstronger pain relievers for TMJ disorders or arthritis
It is best to see a doctor for ear and jaw pain if:
there are signs of an infection, such as fever or swellingthe pain appears immediately after an injurythe gums are swollen or the teeth hurtsymptoms do not improve within a few days of home treatmenta doctor prescribes antibiotics or other treatment, but treatment does not helpear or jaw pain becomes unbearablea baby or young child with ear and jaw pain does not stop crying
Ear and jaw pain can be extremely unpleasant. Prompt medical treatment can help, even when there is an underlying chronic condition. If home treatment fails, a person should speak to their doctor. There is no reason to suffer through the pain or delay treatment. Read the article in Spanish.
What is TMJ dysfunction? – TMJ dysfunctions are conditions affecting your jaw joints and surrounding muscles and ligaments. These conditions can cause several issues, including jaw pain, headaches and difficulty opening and closing your mouth. You might hear people call these conditions TMJ.
But “TMJ” refers to your actual jaw joint, while “TMD” stands for temporomandibular joint dysfunction. Another name is temporomandibular joint disorder. You have two TMJs (temporomandibular joints) — one on each side of your face, just in front of your ears. Your TMJs connect your lower jawbone to your skull and help with movements like chewing and speaking.
Between 5% and 12% of the general adult population have some form of TMJ disorder. The condition is twice as common in women and people assigned female at birth (AFAB) than in men and people assigned male at birth (AMAB). People between the ages of 20 and 40 are most likely to develop TMD.
Can chiropractor fix TMJ?
Integrated Healthcare for TMJ Pain. – A chiropractor can resolve TMJ pain, but each condition is different. TDM patients need an integrated health center with chiropractors, physical therapists, massage therapists, acupuncturists, and physicians. At Vida Integrated Health, all these specialists come together under one roof to discuss, review and determine the best remedy.
