Sometimes, you may experience a throbbing pain in your teeth or jaw. This is not only an uncomfortable sensation but could also be indicative of an underlying dental health issue. The symptoms, persistence and degree of pain depend on the underlying problem, but in any case, tooth and jaw pain should not be ignored.

Common Causes of Jaw Pain

• Bruxism: Some people have the habit of clenching and grinding their teeth while sleeping. This condition is medically known as bruxism. The habit can cause pain in the jaw and even lead to cracks and chips in the teeth, causing dentin exposure. It can wear down the chewing surface of your teeth and lead to disorders of the TMJ.
• TMJ Disorder: The temporomandibular joints (TMJ) connect the skull and the jaw. These joints are used often while you swallow, yawn, chew and speak. Pain in and around these joints may restrict movement and can be unpleasant. TMJ disorder can cause the jaw to make a clicking or popping sound while opening or closing the mouth.
• Other Dental Conditions: Other causes of jaw pain can include gum disease, an abscess or cavities. Although many of these issues don’t directly affect the jaw, the pain can radiate into the jaw area.

Practicing a good dental health care regimen and visiting the dentist regularly can help reduce your risk of developing these problems and ensure you receive appropriate treatment when necessary.

Types of Toothaches and what they may indicate:

• Sharp, Intermittent pain accompanied by Sensitivity: a sensitive tooth may indicate enamel loss or gum recession. It may also be caused by cavities, a pulp infection, or a crack.
• Chronic Pain: If one or several teeth are affected by chronic pain, it could indicate bruxism, nerve damage or severe decay.
• Intense, Throbbing Pain: If you have a throbbing, intense ache with swelling on the face, it could indicate an abscess or infection.
• Pain while chewing or biting: This could indicate pulp infection or a fracture or crack in the tooth.
• Pain in the back of the jaw: This may be caused by tooth grinding or an impacted wisdom tooth.

If you are experiencing tooth or jaw pain, contact our office for a consultation today. We are located at 3224 George Washington Memorial Hwy., Hayes, VA 23072.