JAW PAIN

Is jaw pain a dental emergency? Yes, jaw pain can be a dental emergency and should not be disregarded. Instead, when you notice pain, swelling, or difficulty opening and closing your mouth, you should plan to call and schedule an emergency appointment right away.

How you should handle jaw pain: Until you can see your emergency dentist for treatment, it is best if you avoid hard, crunchy foods while also staying away from bad oral habits. This can include eating ice, biting your fingernails, or chewing on inanimate objects. You don’t want to do anything that might cause unwanted pressure to be placed on your tender jaw joints.

How we treat jaw pain: Treating jaw pain requires underlying its root cause. If teeth grinding (bruxism) is the reason behind your extreme discomfort, you may be recommended for a nightguard. If it proves that you have temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder, you may be eligible for TMJ Therapy. However, if it’s discovered that your third molars or wisdom teeth are impacted or trying to erupt, the discussions between you and your dentist will involve determining whether it is time to extract these unnecessary teeth.