At first, jaw pain or discomfort might not seem like a big deal. But when it’s severe enough to affect your eating or speaking, Alexander Moqattash, DDS, can provide professional jaw pain treatments and services at Finesse Dental in Rancho Cucamonga, California. To learn more about jaw pain, its causes, and the available treatments, call Finesse Dental or book an appointment online today.
Jaw pain is typically linked to temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction. Your temporomandibular joints are the hingelike joints connecting your jaw to your face, allowing you to open and close your mouth.
Often, TMJ dysfunction stems from bruxism. Bruxism, also known as teeth grinding, is something you might do subconsciously throughout the day or at night while you sleep. Other factors that can cause or contribute to joint pain include:
During your appointment for jaw pain at Finesse Dental, Dr. Moqattash reviews your oral health history and performs an examination to explore and identify the possible causes.
In some cases, jaw pain comes with additional symptoms and complications. Some can impair your ability to chew or speak. If you experience jaw pain, you might also experience:
If symptoms like these affect your ability to eat or speak, Dr. Moqattash can perform an evaluation and help you explore treatments for jaw pain relief.
Contact Finesse Dental for an appointment if you can’t fully open or close your mouth because of jaw pain and stiffness. You should also consider booking an appointment if your jaw pain gets progressively worse or comes with symptoms indicative of a tooth infection.
Jaw pain doesn’t always require treatment. It often resolves itself with time and home care. Before you book an appointment at Finesse Dental to address your jaw pain, you can try treating it at home with over-the-counter pain relievers, ice, rest, and a temporary diet of soft foods.
If you can’t find lasting relief for your jaw pain on your own, Dr. Moqattash might recommend one of the following treatment strategies:
If your jaw pain is associated with bone loss, Dr. Moqattash may regenerate it using artificial or donor bone material.
Occlusal appliances like splints or mouthguards can stabilize your jaw to provide pain relief.
Other possible treatment approaches for jaw pain include prescription muscle relaxants and physical therapy.
If your jaw pain affects your ability to eat, speak, or open your mouth, call Finesse Dental or book an appointment online today.