Jaw Pain

Using the most up-to-date technology and the most appropriate tests, Dr. Kushensky finds the source of your pain and develops a treatment plan to suit your needs. Whether you need to have a tooth pulled, an infection treated or your teeth straightened, your dentist offers targeted treatment. Call today for an appointment.

Diagnosing Jaw Pain

Pain in the jaw is a difficult condition to diagnose because there may be so many reasons for it. Whether your jaw pain is on the right side, the left side or both sides, you need a medical professional to investigate the cause. Find someone familiar with what causes jaw pain and the related issues that often accompany a problem. For the best treatment and the most thorough care in Bronx, NY, you need the family dentist at Hutchinson Metro Dental in Bronx, NY: Dr. Victoria Kushensky.

Before Dr. Kushensky recommends any treatment, she first determines the cause of your pain. In addition to a full dental checkup, she examines your jaw movement and looks for signs of facial swelling. She asks whether you also have an earache, any pain in your eyes or a stiff neck. Other common complaints associated with jaw pain include:

• An inability to open your mouth wide
• Difficulty closing your mouth properly
• A clicking or popping sound every time you open or close your mouth
• An inability to move your jaw from side to side without feeling pain
• Jaw pain on the right side or jaw pain on the left side when chewing food
• Jaw pain near your ear, where the temporomandibular joint is located
• Ringing in your ears
• Dizziness and headaches

Jaw pain is a serious condition that can impact your overall health, as well as your ability to talk clearly. You may find it difficult to chew food, which can lead to digestive problems like constipation and indigestion. In women especially, pain in the jaw may be a sign of a heart attack. The pain may actually originate from a serious dental issue that — if caught in time — can save you from losing your teeth.

Causes of Jaw Pain

Your jaw pain may be related to other dental conditions, such as tooth nerve pain, which often requires a root canal. If a tooth is beyond saving, you may need to have it pulled. An infection in a dental implant, ill-fitting dentures or clear braces that don’t fit your mouth properly can all cause jaw pain.

Many people suffer from jaw pain due to a disorder commonly referred to as TMJ. The temporomandibular joint gives your jaw the flexibility to open wide, close your mouth completely and move your jaw from side to side. Without it, you would not be able to chew, talk or yawn. In time, this joint can become damaged due to osteoarthritis, a tooth infection or tooth decay. Fortunately, Dr. Victoria Kushensky and his team at Hutchinson Metro Dental offers a number of treatments for TMJ.

Sleep apnea sufferers sometimes grind or clench your teeth while sleeping. This action, called bruxism, puts added pressure on your teeth and gums, while causing jaw pain. Inform your Bronx, NY family dentist if you have sleep apnea so that she can prescribe the right treatment. Arthritis, sinus problems and migraine headaches also can leave you with uncomfortable jaw pain.

Getting Your Jaw Treated

Eliminating jaw pain starts with a trip to your family dentist in Bronx, NY. Dr. Victoria Kushensky serves all of Bronx, NY. She examines any underlying problems that require dental procedures. Straightening crooked teeth with orthodontic treatments may solve the problem. Treating gum disease or an infection may also clear up your jaw pain.

If teeth grinding and clenching is the source of your jaw pain, you can get a night guard to wear when you sleep to protect your teeth. Once your dental team treats the source of your jaw pain, you may want to try some lifestyle changes to prevent further jaw pain and to allow your jaw to heal properly. Consider tips such as:

• Don’t chew ice or hard candy. While your jaw heals, opt for soft food to give your jaw time to heal.
• Avoid moving your jaw too much. If you must yawn, put your hand under your chin to prevent your jaw from opening all the way.
• Use an ice pack or a heating pad to soothe the pain.
• Avoid activities like singing or chewing gum to prevent moving your jaw too much.
• Do some simple exercises to loosen the jaw muscles and joints. Dr. Kushensky can suggest some for you to try at home.
• Maintain regular bi-annual visits to your family dentist for checkups and professional cleanings. Scheduled appointments prevent your pain from returning and future damaging dental issues from occurring.

Don’t suffer from jaw pain because you don’t know what’s causing it. Contact the experts at Hutchinson Metro Dental to get answers and treatment.