What does fact checked mean?
At Healthfully, we strive to deliver objective content that is accurate and up-to-date. Our team periodically reviews articles in order to ensure content quality. The sources cited below consist of evidence from peer-reviewed journals, prominent medical organizations, academic associations, and government data.
- Mayo Clinic: Bruxism/Teeth Grinding
- Mayo Clinic: Trench Mouth
- Mayo Clinic: Impacted Wisdom Teeth
- Mayo Clinic: Tooth Abscess: What Are the Symptoms?
- Medline Plus: TMJ Disorders
The information contained on this site is for informational purposes only, and should not be used as a substitute for the advice of a professional health care provider. Please check with the appropriate physician regarding health questions and concerns. Although we strive to deliver accurate and up-to-date information, no guarantee to that effect is made.
Causes of Jaw and Tooth Pain
Jaw and tooth pain may feel like a dull ache or a sharp shooting pain. The pain may be constant or triggered by heat or cold. Whatever the symptoms of your jaw and tooth pain, it is important to consider the causes. Serious pain can be a sign of a dangerous condition, such as an abscess or trench mouth.
Bruxism
Teeth grinding, also known as bruxism, is a common cause of tooth and jaw pain that doctors still do not understand the cause of 1. You may not be aware of your teeth grinding, and the condition may go undiagnosed for some time. According to the Mayo Clinic, there are many possible causes of bruxism, including stress, anger, frustration or an aggressive or hyperactive personality type 1. In children, the cause may be in response to an earache, teething or the growth and development of the jaw or teeth. If the upper and lower teeth are not aligned properly--a disorder known as malocclusion--then the pain may increase. Complications from Huntington’s disease, Parkinson’s disease or psychiatric medications are other possible causes.
- Teeth grinding, also known as bruxism, is a common cause of tooth and jaw pain that doctors still do not understand the cause of 1.
- In children, the cause may be in response to an earache, teething or the growth and development of the jaw or teeth.
Impacted Wisdom Teeth
Tooth Pain After Eating
Learn More
Wisdom teeth are the third molars in the jaw. They may become impacted if they don’t have enough room to grow normally. The Mayo Clinic postulates that wisdom teeth may become impacted because modern humans have softer diets and participate in dental care to straighten teeth 12. This results in a mouth shape that cannot house the third molar.
- Wisdom teeth are the third molars in the jaw.
- This results in a mouth shape that cannot house the third molar.
Tooth Abscess
Dr. Alan Carr from the Mayo Clinic defines a tooth abscess as a collection of pus resulting from a bacterial infection. The infection resides in the root of the tooth or in other tissue around the tooth. This can result in a headache, a tooth sensitive to heat or pressure, a fever and swelling in the face or cheek. Carr also states that an abscess must be treated by a dentist. The dentist may drain the abscess, prescribe antibiotics and, in extreme cases, remove the tooth. If the abscess is not treated, it may cause worsening symptoms that may be life-threatening in some cases.
- Dr. Alan Carr from the Mayo Clinic defines a tooth abscess as a collection of pus resulting from a bacterial infection.
- The dentist may drain the abscess, prescribe antibiotics and, in extreme cases, remove the tooth.
Temporomandibular Joint and Muscle Disorders
Abscess Toothaches
Learn More
Temporomandibular joint, or TMJ, and muscle disorders involve issues with the muscles and joints connecting the lower jaw to the skull 3. According to Medline Plus, TMJ may be caused by physical stress on the joint structure 3. For example, the cartilage disk may become stressed or damaged. Other possible stresses include damage to the muscles, damage to ligaments, blood vessels or nerves, and damage to teeth.
Trench Mouth
According to the Mayo Clinic, other causes of tooth and jaw pain may include trench mouth, a condition in which harmful bacteria overgrow and infect the gums. Large ulcers may form as a result. This is less common in developed nations but not unheard of.
Related Articles
References
- Mayo Clinic: Bruxism/Teeth Grinding
- Mayo Clinic: Impacted Wisdom Teeth
- Medline Plus: TMJ Disorders
- Fukuda KI. Diagnosis and treatment of abnormal dental pain. J Dent Anesth Pain Med. 2016;16(1):1-8. doi:10.17245/jdapm.2016.16.1.1
- Pihlstrom BL, Michalowicz BS, Johnson NW. Periodontal diseases. Lancet. 2005;366(9499):1809-20. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(05)67728-8
- Heng C. Tooth Decay Is the Most Prevalent Disease. Fed Pract. 2016;33(10):31-33.
- Tonguc MO, Ozat Y, Sert T, Sonmez Y, Kirzioglu FY. Tooth sensitivity in fluorotic teeth. Eur J Dent. 2011;5(3):273-80.
- Yap AU, Chua AP. Sleep bruxism: Current knowledge and contemporary management. J Conserv Dent. 2016;19(5):383-9. doi:10.4103/0972-0707.190007
- Rechenberg DK, Galicia JC, Peters OA. Biological Markers for Pulpal Inflammation: A Systematic Review. PLoS ONE. 2016;11(11):e0167289. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0167289
- Lubisich EB, Hilton TJ, Ferracane J. Cracked teeth: a review of the literature. J Esthet Restor Dent. 2010;22(3):158-67. doi:10.1111/j.1708-8240.2010.00330.x
- Shweta, Prakash SK. Dental abscess: A microbiological review. Dent Res J (Isfahan). 2013;10(5):585-91.
- Santosh P. Impacted Mandibular Third Molars: Review of Literature and a Proposal of a Combined Clinical and Radiological Classification. Ann Med Health Sci Res. 2015;5(4):229-34. doi:10.4103/2141-9248.160177
- Candamourty R, Venkatachalam S, Babu MR, Kumar GS. Ludwig's Angina - An emergency: A case report with literature review. J Nat Sci Biol Med. 2012;3(2):206-8. doi:10.4103/0976-9668.101932
- Yeo GS, Kim HY, Kwak EJ, Jung YS, Park HS, Jung HD. Cavernous sinus thrombosis caused by a dental infection: a case report. J Korean Assoc Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2014;40(4):195-8. doi:10.5125/jkaoms.2014.40.4.195
- Jacobsen PL, Casagrande AM. Sinusitis as a source of dental pain. Dent Today. 2003;22(9):110-3.
- Murphy MK, Macbarb RF, Wong ME, Athanasiou KA. Temporomandibular disorders: a review of etiology, clinical management, and tissue engineering strategies. Int J Oral Maxillofac Implants. 2013;28(6):e393-414. doi:10.11607/jomi.te20
- Becker DE. Pain management: Part 1: Managing acute and postoperative dental pain. Anesth Prog. 2010;57(2):67-78. doi:10.2344/0003-3006-57.2.67
- Guaita M, Högl B. Current Treatments of Bruxism. Curr Treat Options Neurol. 2016;18(2):10. doi:10.1007/s11940-016-0396-3
- Lee Y. Diagnosis and Prevention Strategies for Dental Caries. J Lifestyle Med. 2013;3(2):107-9.
- Kaptan RF, Haznedaroglu F, Basturk FB, Kayahan MB. Treatment approaches and antibiotic use for emergency dental treatment in Turkey. Ther Clin Risk Manag. 2013;9:443-9. doi:10.2147/TCRM.S52009
- American Association of Endodontists. (n.d.). Cracked Teeth. https://www.aae.org/patients/dental-symptoms/cracked-teeth/
- American Dental Association. (n.d.). Abscess (Toothache). https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/a/abscess
- Chow AW. (2018). Submandibular space infections (Ludwig's angina). In: UpToDate, Calderwood SB (Ed), UpToDate, Waltham, MA.
- Hennessy BJ. (2018). Merck Manual Professional Version: Toothache and Infection. https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/dental-disorders/symptoms-of-dental-and-oral-disorders/toothache-and-infection?query=dental%20abscess
- Schweitzer JL. The Endodontic Diagnostic Puzzle. Gen Dent. 2009;57(6):560-7. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19906608
- Ubertalli JT. Merck Manual. Professional Version. (2018). Pulpitis. https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/dental-disorders/common-dental-disorders/pulpitis?_ga=2.233168734.1798272777.1553437191-365578483.1553437191
Resources
Writer Bio
Jamie Simpson is a researcher and journalist based in Indianapolis with more than 10 years of professional writing experience. She earned her B.S. in animal science from Purdue University and her Master of Public Affairs in public management from Indiana University. Simpson also works as a massage therapist and equine sports massage therapist.