Jaw pain relief

[SheldonSaysSo1]

I woke up this morning with jaw pain, it has gotten so bad I am struggling to open my mouth. I don't seem to have any other symptoms and normally have no dental issues. Any idea to help relieve it?(painkillers don't seem to be working)

Do you have any sinus congestion? How are your ears?

Not to worry you but jaw pain is a sign of a heart attack in women. If painkillers are not working I would go to a and e.

Hi I regularly experience jaw pain, just from eating a raw carrot my jaw can dislodge and become extremely painful. My Dr said it’s called TMD have a look. Try to relax jaw (easier said than done when your in pain) and take ibuprofen and paracetamol. Hope pain eases soon

Just to note, when it happens to me the pain starts in my jaw and then I get a stabbing pain in my ear. Maybe if it’s not happened before it may be best to get it checked out

Not to be alarmist, but I would definitely be seen to rule out a heart attack, especially if you've never suffered with this before.

It could be you were clenching your teeth during sleep, which I do every once in a while if I'm stressed. I take a muscle relaxer to get rid of the pain.

Do you grind your teeth?

Lots of people clench or grind their teeth in the night. I’ve had Botox for it. It was effective and I’d do it again when I’m back working. It was linked to stress. Mindfulness/meditation will help this, although I’m not very good at finding the time.

Its on my right hand side so I assumed that it wouldn't be to do with my heart, can it be on both sides? I don't seem to have any congestion or ear pain. Should I speak to a doctor or dentist? Stress is a definite possibility as I am moving house at the moment.

I second the teeth grinding. I saw a specialist at the hospital for it and there are a few options for treatment. A dentist can usually tell you if you have been grinding. A doctor will refer you to maxi facial.

I had something similar recently, the Dentist said it was clear I was grinding my teeth and fitted me for a mouth guard, which seems to have worked a treat

Are you particularly anxious? Could you be jaw clenching or grinding at night?

I’ve had issues with my jaw for years from clenching. Also affects my ear, head and face etc. It started with occasional jaw pain but now it’s a regular occurrence but gets better and worse all the time.

There are exercises you can find alone. Also ibuprofen can really help reduce inflammation and a heat pack! I also have a mouth guard.

I have this too tmj ? Anyway a year or so ago something crumbled in my jaw and it doesn't get stuck as much. I also have a weird cracking sound in my neck. It's all painless

Possibly trismus? Mine was on my right side too, caused in my case by dental work - multiple injections and mouth open for a long time whilst dentist worked on a tooth but there are lots of other causes too including stress. I was lucky in that I was attending a physio for hand related problems and she switched over to working on my jaw over the next couple of weeks; she did apologise as she made me cry from the massage pressure but it certainly helped. The locum dentist I spoke to was no help with gargle warm salt water as his only suggestion. Whatever it is I hope you get it sorted soon Sheldon. My took five weeks to come right.

It will depend on what’s causing the pain as to what will work.
I don’t know about it being a heart attack sign potentially so don’t ignore that but from a painkilling point of view you’ll need an anti inflammatory such as ibuprofen or naproxen along with a painkiller like paracetamol.
I would alternate between a heat pack and an ice pack as both can work with soothing pain.
Use a straw to drink drinks through and avoid eating (within reason) until it lessons. These are the things I do when my jaw is playing up from arthritis

I have TMJ as well. Hurts like a motherfucker. I’ve had to have Botox for it which really worked

Jaw pain can be a symptom of Giant Cell Arteritis, a potentially serious condition which can affect your vision. Speak to your GP or NHS24 asap.

Anxiety can cause jaw pain.

I had TMD.. I had steroid injections right into my jaw joint. Sorted it out.

Sorry to hijack but I’ve had issues with sort of my jaw for about two weeks. It’s like I open my mouth (usually to yawn) and I get sharp pains - like as if it’s “stuck” is that what TMJ feels like? Have never heard of it before

Another one saying check out for GCA. Do not wait.

I’ve had severe jaw pain which was diagnosed as TMJ - Temporomandibular joint. I was advised to rest my jaw as much as possible, not chew gum for example, or eat anything really hard. It got better quite quickly.

As others have said it sounds like TMJ. Mine came on out of the blue, like you I woke up one morning with pain in the jaw and ear and problems opening my mouth. Heat helps - I use the microwavable heat bags and also avoid eating anything hard/crunchy.

I had pain and couldn’t open my mouth properly when I had an infection in the gum around my partially errupted wisdom tooth, a course of antibiotics from the dentist fixed the infection, with over the counter cocodamol and dental pain gel for the pain.

My dentist was able to sort it with a telephone consultation at the height of lockdown so definitely try and get hold of your dentist, they can assess it for you

I was just going to say this. Very important to get a blood test straight away, especially if you have strong headaches.

@Namealreadyinuse1

I was just going to say this. Very important to get a blood test straight away, especially if you have strong headaches.

For GCA. Causes blindness if not treated with steroids.