Opening my mouth my right jaw hurts. The jaw hurts on the left side near the ear and it hurts to chew

The reasons why the jaw hurts near the ear are divided into dental, surgical, and neurological. Diseases of the ENT organs can also play the role of a provoking factor. If the pain is caused by dysfunction of the maxillary or mandibular joint, you should not expect serious consequences. In the case of an infectious nature of the problem, antibiotics and physiotherapeutic procedures are prescribed. For differential diagnosis, MRI, radiography, and a general blood test are performed.

When pain occurs in the cheekbone or jaw area near the ear, this may indicate diseases of the soft tissues of the face, inflammation of the lymph nodes, ears, sinuses, gums and teeth. Before you see a doctor, you need to choose the right specialist: an otolaryngologist, a dentist or a surgeon. First, you should make an appointment with a therapist and tell him about your complaints. For correct diagnosis, laboratory and clinical tests are prescribed.

Reasons why the jaw hurts near the ear on the left and right sides, accompanied by pain when chewing:

Pathologies of the temporomandibular joint, gums, and dental apparatus. This is the specialization of dentists and maxillofacial surgeons. A dental surgeon will also help when it comes to such serious processes as phlegmon and jaw abscess.
Inflammatory process in the nasal sinuses. The maxillary sinuses are located in the lateral region of the nose. There is a cavity behind the ear. It approaches the process of the temporal bone. The mucous membrane sometimes becomes inflamed, as evidenced by aching pain in the cheekbones. In this case, assistance is provided by an otolaryngologist.
Inflammation of the tonsils, larynx and surrounding tissues. The disease is provoked by a purulent-inflammatory process. Pain often appears after an infectious disease or tumor. In such cases, you must contact an ENT doctor.
Diseases of the peripheral nervous system. An inflammatory process occurs in nerve tissues. Pain appears, for treatment of which you should consult a neurologist or therapist.
Inflammation of the lymph nodes. Sometimes lymph from the larynx, nose or ears, infected with pathogens, enters the tissues. In adults, this disease is treated by a therapist. If we are talking about a child, you need to go to the pediatrician.

If you delay a visit to the doctor, more complex pathologies may arise:

inflammatory and purulent processes in tissues;
infectious diseases of the ears, nose and mouth;
imbalance of electrolytes and problems with metabolism in tissues;
tumors of various etiologies;
inflammation of nervous tissue and peripheral vessels.

If jaw pain appears after visiting the dentist, you should seek help from the same specialist. However, if the problem arose not after tooth extraction, but as a result of the installation of a brace system, the pain is considered normal. This condition goes away on its own within 2 months. If its intensity does not decrease, then a consultation with the attending orthodontist would not hurt.

It is necessary to contact a trauma surgeon if pain in the jaw and cheekbones appears after an injury. Unpleasant sensations can be a consequence of both a regular bruise and a dislocation, fracture and abscess.

The bone near the ear hurts when pressed

There are two possible options here: inflammation of the nerve endings or dental diseases. If pain appears in the jaw bone near the ears or in the muscles, it may be due to the following reasons:

Injury. The integrity of the facial bones is compromised if a person receives a strong blow to the head. At the same time, it is accompanied by a constant aching pain that intensifies when pressed.
The appearance of a wisdom tooth. When it erupts, painful sensations are not uncommon. Some experience less discomfort, while others experience significant pain when pressing on the cheekbone area.
Osteomyelitis of the jaw. The pathology extends to the entire bone. Pathogenic microbes provoke the onset. They penetrate into the root canals. The pain can be quite strong and aching.
Pulpitis, caries. The pain in these diseases increases in the morning (after sleep) and at night. It is clearly felt when pressing on the cheekbone in the affected area.
Arteritis. The pain occurs in the jaw area and is usually burning.
Violation of the functional characteristics of the temporomandibular joint. Pain is felt not only when pressing, but also when a person opens his mouth and chews food.
phlegmon, abscess, fistulas, boils. A common symptom of these ailments is pain when pressing on the jaw at rest.

Some people experience a cracking jaw when yawning. But besides this, sometimes there is pain. It continues for a long time, manifests itself when chewing food, opening the mouth, and even at rest.

If such pain does not go away the next day, this may indicate the presence of diseases:

bursitis;
jaw arthritis;
dislocation of the jaw joint;
sprain in the jaw muscle.

When you see a doctor with such symptoms, he sends the patient for an X-ray. If it turns out that the joints are healthy, the patient is referred to UHF or prescribed non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Treatment takes a week. Physiotherapeutic procedures in combination with painkillers promote recovery.

It happens that when you open your mouth, a click is heard, accompanied by a feeling of discomfort. This phenomenon is explained by the exit of the jaw joint from the articular capsule. He moves to the side. As soon as he manages to return to his place, a crunch is heard.

Often the cause is an injury. Clicking with pain can provoke tension in the jaw muscle during singing and talking, and an incorrect bite.

What to do in this case:

Timely diagnosis. To determine the first cause correctly, it is important to seek medical help in time. The specialist prescribes magnetic resonance imaging, arthroscopy and radiography.
If the function of the jaw joint is impaired, consult a dentist. The doctor will carry out long-term work aimed at re-filling the tooth or correcting the bite, replacing dentures, etc. At the same time, a course of anti-inflammatory drugs will be prescribed.
Until you see a specialist, you can alleviate the condition at home by applying a warm compress. If the affected area becomes inflamed, ice should be applied. For the entire period of treatment, you should avoid rough foods and give preference to soft, ground foods. It is necessary to talk less and generally provide complete rest to the affected joint.
Use relaxation techniques. Tibetan hormonal gymnastics and similar methods will help cope with pain or reduce its intensity.

The treatment method for diseases associated with clicking and pain in the jaw joints is determined by the nature of the inflammatory process and the degree of its neglect. The general recommendation is to ensure complete rest for the affected area.

It all depends on the localization. For pain in the upper jaw, it can be:

Osteomyelitis of the upper jaw. Caused by improper treatment of sinusitis, tooth removal or extraction, unsuccessful sinus lift and implant installation. The pain may radiate slightly to the left jaw or to the right.
Sinusitis. Most often develops on one side. It is provoked by injuries to the nose or skull, prolonged exposure to the cold, pulpitis of the upper molars or periodontitis. Unpleasant sensations occur in the jaw and eye socket. The point of maximum sensitivity is marked near the nose. Pus or mucus flows from both nostrils or one of them. At the same time, it blocks half of the nose. The voice becomes nasal.
Gingivitis. Inflammation of the mucous membrane of the gums leads to an increase in temperature and unpleasant sensations. The pathology extends to the entire jaw area. At the same time, bad breath appears.
Alveolitis. Painful sensations are caused by the fact that after tooth extraction, its socket becomes inflamed.

For pain in the lower jaw:

Submandibular abscess or phlegmon.
Glossitis. Accompanied by inflammation of the mucous membrane of the tongue. It is a consequence of burns - thermal or chemical, as well as infection and injury. A person’s jaw ache, he ceases to feel the taste of food. His tongue hurts.

Also, localization under the jaw indicates the possible development of the following ailments:

Submandibular lymphadenitis. Lymph nodes become inflamed when a person suffers from sore throat, conjunctivitis, periodontitis, or furunculosis. The diagnosis is confirmed based on tenderness and elasticity of the lymph nodes. They can be easily felt and are mobile. If they are hard to the touch and do not move, a consultation with an oncologist is required.
Infectious mononucleosis. The disease is viral in nature. Accompanied by damage to a group of lymph nodes located under the lower jaw. The temperature rises, but the symptoms of intoxication are mild.
Sialolithiasis. The functioning of the salivary glands is disrupted. Solid inclusions are determined in them. Swelling is detected on the right or left. A small amount of pus is released into the oral cavity. A person does not notice this, but his presence is felt through stale breath.
Sialadenitis. The salivary glands become inflamed. The temperature rises and the secretion of saliva increases. A person's appetite decreases and weakness appears. A painful formation is clearly felt at the angle of the jaw.
Pharyngitis. There is inflammation of the mucous membrane of the throat. A cough, pain radiating to the jaw, and sore throat appear.

When a person suffers from respiratory diseases, the infection spreads throughout the body. An inflammatory process develops, accompanied by painful sensations. This is why your cheekbones and jaw may hurt when you have a runny nose, colds or other viral diseases.

Please note the following facts:

If the pain is localized in the cheekbone area almost under the eye, this indicates the development of sinusitis. It is necessary to contact an otolaryngologist.
If the unpleasant sensations are localized in the area between the lower and upper jaws, a runny nose or cold may be to blame. Viruses and bacteria move into the joint sac, causing inflammation on its surface. As in the previous case, the problem is solved by contacting an ENT specialist.
A cold provokes inflammation of the jaw nerve. In such cases, it makes sense to go to a neurologist.
If you have an ear infection, your cheekbones may also hurt. Often this condition is accompanied by an increase in temperature. For treatment, the person is referred to an otolaryngologist.
After tooth extraction, slight pain in the jaw appears. If it does not subside over time, the surgeon may not have completely removed the diseased tooth. It is necessary to contact a more qualified dentist to correct this poor quality work.

An ambulance should be called when the pain is sharp and unbearable. This happens when the jaw is fractured or dislocated.

Not only with otitis media, pain in the ear is combined with discomfort in the jaw area. This also indicates diseases such as:

carotidynia. Nerve endings located near the carotid artery become irritated. Paroxysmal pain develops. It is most felt in the upper jaw and spreads to the ear, neck, oral cavity, and spreads to the face. When pressing on the side of the neck and just below the Adam's apple, it causes acute pain. The syndrome is provoked by migraine, soft tissue tumors located near the carotid artery. Carotidynia is also the result of temporal artery dissection;
neuralgia of the ear node. The pain is burning, paroxysmal. It starts at the temple and passes through the ear, continuing to the lower jaw and chin. It is slightly felt in the teeth. There are clicks in the ear and increased salivation. It is provoked by sinusitis, sore throat, and if the face is blown while walking in windy weather;
erythroothalgia syndrome. The jaw hurts slightly, but the maximum discomfort is felt in the ear. It turns red. The lower jaw and the back of the head hurt, spreading to the forehead. The syndrome occurs as a result of dysfunction of the temporomandibular joint, cervical spondylosis and damage to the thalamus.

TMJ dysfunction

Functional diseases of the temporomandibular joint are accompanied by pain in the area of the jaw joints near the ear when talking, opening the mouth wide and chewing. They can be recognized by other signs:

the amplitude of mouth opening is limited;
the jaw gets stuck in the open or closed position;
when trying to talk, grinding, crackling and clicking noises are heard;
increased fatigue of facial muscles;
periodically there are sensations that the upper and lower rows of teeth do not meet correctly;
one side of my face is swollen.

Sometimes ringing in the ears, hearing loss, and dizziness occur.

Data from the patient’s complaints, a panoramic X-ray of the entire face, and an assessment of the type of bite help in the diagnosis.

When the trigeminal nerve is inflamed, the pain is sharp. It is burning, drilling. This is the most sensitive nerve on the face. Some of its fibers are responsible for chewing. If the trigeminal nerve is to blame for the discomfort, the jaw hurts near the ear on the right or left.

If at the same time discomfort is felt when swallowing, then laryngeal neuralgia is diagnosed. Symptoms include cough, hiccups, discomfort in the tongue, and the temporomandibular joint. Salivation increases. The pain in some cases spreads to the eyes and even the chest. Paroxysmal behavior is characteristic. Patients complain of dry mouth.

Cranial neuralgia manifests itself as a consequence of long and sharp impulses in relation to the affected cranial nerves. Neuralgia of the glossopharyngeal nerve is rarely diagnosed. The localization of painful sensations is characteristic, coming from the root of the tongue or tonsil and moving into the pharynx, to the jaw angle and ear. It is provoked during conversation or eating, sometimes when moving the tongue. It is unilateral in nature, burning, shooting, lasting from 1 to 3 minutes. The attack is accompanied by a dry cough. It can be determined by the characteristic posture of the patient. He tilts his head in the direction that worries him more.

Tumors

The formation of a tumor in the bones, osteogenic sarcoma, may be indicated by pain in the jaw near the ear. Before key signs appear, there is a loss of sensation in the nerve endings. A person feels numbness in the muscles. At the same time, slight swelling and discomfort in the bones and joints are noted.

Atheroma is a benign tumor. Gives similar symptoms. The most obvious sign: a lump located behind the ear. This is a consequence of an enlarged cervical lymph node. It can be felt like a moving ball of increased density. It is not particularly dangerous until it becomes inflamed. In this case, pus accumulates in it. Inflammation forms, sometimes in several lymph nodes. There is severe pain near the ear that does not go away for a long time. The temperature rises. A person complains of general weakness and headache. Redness of the skin is observed near the inflamed lymph node. If the disease is not treated, the infection will spread throughout the body and lead to sepsis.

Jaw joint treatment

So, the cause of pain in the jaw joint can be pathologies of the ENT organs, articular and soft tissues, nerve fibers, and teeth. It is not recommended to resort to self-treatment at home, as this will worsen the problem.

Often, such phenomena require the use of antibacterial drugs. UHF and physiotherapy have proven themselves well.

Drug treatment is prescribed by a doctor. In chronic disease of the cranial bones, destruction of cartilage tissue is observed. They are deformed. The level of mobility decreases, causing pain. For jaw pain caused by arthrosis, the following are prescribed:

non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: Ibuprofen, Diclofenac, Etoricoxib. They are combined with proton pump inhibitors if a person has a disease of the digestive system. We are talking about drugs such as Omeprazole, Nolpaza;
vitamins and minerals: ascorbic acid, calcium, cholecalciferol;
agents leading to the renewal of cartilage tissue: hyaluronic acid;
injections of painkillers (injected into the joint): Diprospan. Prescribed in courses - once every six months.

Women are prescribed hormonal therapy under the supervision of a gynecologist-endocrinologist. This is especially important during menopause. Treatment with ultrasound, laser, and paraffin shows good results. Some patients are recommended therapeutic massage.

Apitherapy, that is, treatment with bee venom, is most effective for arthrosis of the jaw joint. This substance contains biogenic amines. They have an analgesic effect and soothe inflamed areas.

Tips for using bee venom:

Bee venom enters the patient's body. It looks like this: on the first day a person is stung by one bee, on the second - by two. Gradually the number of bees is increased to 10.
No later than a minute later, the insect sting is removed from the affected area. In total, 55 bees are required to conduct one course.
The procedures are carried out every other day. Upon completion of the first course, take a break for one week. Only after this is a second one prescribed.
The second course takes one and a half months. At this time, a person receives poison from 3 insects every day. It is important to constantly change the location of the bite. The procedure can be repeated in the same areas only after 5 days.

The described specific method of traditional treatment has contraindications: allergic reactions, tumors, chronic diseases, diabetes, hypertension.

Gelatin and honey

Another traditional medicine method involves the use of honey in combination with gelatin:

pour a teaspoon of gelatin into 0.05 liters of cold water for 12 hours;
After the gelatin swells, add a teaspoon of natural honey. Pour warm water;
The prepared mixture is taken before meals for 10 days. Take a break and then repeat the course;
treatment using honey and gelatin lasts up to 3 months.

Alcohol tincture

For preparation you will need:

acacia flowers - 4 spoons;
alcohol - 1 glass.

Flowers must be filled with alcohol. If it is not available, you can use vodka. The flowers are placed inside a container with dark glass and left for 7 days. The course lasts one month. During this time, rub the prepared infusion into the jaw area.

Shilajit solution

Take a 100% mummy solution. Drop onto a cotton pad and rub into the affected area for 5 minutes. If well tolerated, this interval can be increased to 10 minutes. Shilajit can be used not only in the form of compresses, but also taken orally. Here is the prescription:

mumiyo - 0.2 g;
honey - 1 spoon;
milk - 250 ml.

Milk is heated and honey and mumiyo are dissolved in it. Take one glass of the prepared solution daily. The course lasts 2 weeks.

Herbal infusion

An infusion of coltsfoot and oregano leaves perfectly relieves acute pain. To prepare you need:

40 g of herbs;
half a liter of alcohol.

Grind the herbs and pour in alcohol. Leave for 3 days. As soon as the tincture is ready, filter. Used as a means for rubbing diseased areas. An alternative to the recipe described above can be a compress made from a decoction of plantain or wormwood leaves.

Compress

To prepare a compress, you will need:

chamomile - 3 spoons;
boiling water - 1 cup.

Pour hot water over chamomile flowers. Leave for 15 minutes. Apply the prepared compress to your face and leave it for 20 minutes. The procedure is carried out 2 times a day. For a short-term effect, use heating with buckwheat and salt.

Fir oil

The effectiveness of this natural remedy is explained by its good warming effect. Some patients may experience redness of the skin and allergic reactions. Some experts consider this to be normal. However, modern doctors are inclined to believe that in case of any adverse effects it is better to abandon this method.

The oil should be slightly warm or at room temperature. It relaxes tense muscles, relieves spasm and inflammation.

Physiotherapy

With a doctor's permission, you can normalize the inflamed jaw tissue near the ear. How to do:

frown and then raise your eyebrows;
squint your eyes and make circular movements with them;
puff out your cheeks properly and draw them in;
roll your lips into a tube and stretch them out.

Exercises are performed daily in the morning. Each of them is given a few minutes. At the end of the gymnastics, relax the facial muscles and lightly run your hands over them.

Prevention measures:

dress according to the weather, avoid drafts;
promptly treat viral diseases;
avoid stress;
carry out self-massage of the face;
eat well.

If your cheekbone or jaw hurts, treatment is prescribed with medication, folk remedies or physiotherapeutic procedures. Only a doctor can choose the right treatment tactics for the disease.

Pain in the cheekbone, jaw, and near the ear is a frightening symptom. Such painful sensations may indicate the presence of a large number of diseases in organs and systems. Teeth, ears, gums, lymph nodes, sinuses, soft tissues of the face - diseases associated with these organs lead to pain.

If unpleasant sensations appear in the cheekbone area, you should immediately consult a doctor. But it is important to know which doctor to go to: a dentist, an otolaryngologist, a surgeon or another.
It is better to first contact a therapist, who can refer you to the necessary specialist. When diagnosing, doctors are helped by various laboratories and instrumental methods.
To understand the factors causing pain, you can consider possible causes using a special algorithm of actions. So, your jaw hurts, it crunches painfully, there is pain when chewing - what to do in these cases and where to go? You will find answers to these and other questions in this article.

If there is pain in the jaw, then you don’t need to console yourself with hopes that it will go away on its own. This symptom occurs when a serious disease appears that needs to be treated. If this is not done in a timely manner, the condition may worsen and the disease may develop into a chronic stage.

Causes of pain in the cheekbones, jaw near the ear on the left and right, and when it hurts to chew:

Diseases of the dentofacial apparatus, gums and temporomandibular joint. These problems are dealt with by dentists and maxillofacial surgeons. If jaw abscesses and phlegmon occur, you will need an operating dentist.
Inflammation of the sinuses. On the sides of the nose are the maxillary sinuses, and behind the ear is a cavity located inside the process of the temporal bone. The mucous membrane of this cavity can become inflamed and cause aching pain in the cheekbone area. An ENT specialist deals with such problems.
Diseases of the larynx, tonsils and tissues around them. The disease appears as a result of a purulent-inflammatory process, an infectious disease and a tumor. An ENT doctor can cure such a pathology.
Disease of the peripheral nervous system. Nerve cells become inflamed, causing swelling and pain. You should contact a therapist or neurologist.
Inflammation of the lymph nodes. They become inflamed if infected lymph from the nose, larynx or ears enters their tissues. Diseases of this system are dealt with by general practitioners or pediatricians (in children).

If diseases are started by delaying a trip to the doctor, then other concomitant, no less complex pathologies may develop:

Purulent and inflammatory processes: abscesses, phlegmon.
Infections in the mouth, nose or ears.
Dysmetabolic abnormalities in electrolyte balance.
Injuries - can occur due to strong opening of the mouth when yawning, opening bottles and other hard or metal caps with the teeth.
Benign and malignant tumors.
Inflammation of peripheral vessels and nerves.

If your jaw hurts after going to the dentist or having a tooth removed, you should immediately contact a specialist. A consultation may not be necessary if braces have been installed. In this case, mild or tolerable pain occurs during the formation of a correct bite. But, if this condition does not go away after 2 months, then a consultation with the treating dentist is necessary.

Important: You should contact a trauma surgeon if your jaw or cheekbone begins to hurt after an injury. In this case, pain can arise either from a banal bruise or from a serious fracture, dislocation or abscess.

Such pain can be associated with both dental problems and diseases of the nerve endings. What other causes of pain in the jaw bone near the ear and in the muscles when pressed? Several important factors:

Injury— a strong blow to the head area can lead to a violation of the integrity of the facial bone. Constant aching pain, as well as when pressed.
Wisdom tooth eruption. This process is almost always accompanied by painful sensations, in some people to a lesser extent, in others to a greater extent. Pain may occur when pressing on the cheekbone area.
Jaw osteomyelitis- a disease that affects the entire bone. The cause of its occurrence is active pathogenic microorganisms that make their way into the root canals. The pain is strong and aching.
Caries and pulpitis can cause pain that intensifies at night, especially when pressing on the cheekbone in the area of sore teeth.
Arteritis- pain in the form of a burning sensation in the jaw area.
Temporomandibular joint dysfunction- pain when opening the mouth and chewing food, when pressing.
Boils, fistulas, cellulitis and abscesses- The jaw hurts when pressed and at rest.

Any unpleasant sensations cannot be ignored! If pain occurs in the jaw area, when pressed, at night, or if the discomfort is permanent, you should consult a doctor.

Often when you yawn, your jaw cracks. But if you open your mouth too wide, then in addition to crunching, pain may appear. It does not go away for a long time, and appears during chewing, opening the mouth, or even at rest. What to do if your jaw cracks and hurts?

If the pain does not go away the next day, you should immediately consult a doctor. These symptoms can occur with serious illnesses:

jaw arthritis;
bursitis;
jaw muscle sprain;
dislocation of the jaw joints.

The doctor will examine you and order an X-ray. If the joints are in order, then the doctor may prescribe UHF and steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Within 5-7 days after undergoing physiotherapeutic procedures, the pain will go away.

The clicking sound during mouth opening is most often painless. You only feel discomfort and hear a characteristic sound.

Many people get used to this crunch and stop paying attention to it.
This condition is explained by the fact that the jaw joint comes out of the joint capsule during movement. It moves to the side and when it returns to its place, a crunching sound is heard.
This can occur due to injury, malocclusion, excessive tension of the jaw muscles (singing, reading poetry).

What to do if the jaw clicks on one side and the jaw joint and cheekbone hurt when opening the mouth? Some tips:

Correct diagnosis. Often people go to the doctor with a problem in advanced cases. Determining the root cause is difficult, because you need to understand how this condition developed. To make a correct diagnosis, you must consult a doctor at the first sensation of pain. The doctor prescribes X-ray, MRI, computed tomography and arthroscopy.
Dentists treat dysfunctions of the jaw joint. Complex cases require consultation with a dental surgeon. For treatment, painstaking and lengthy work is carried out to correct the bite, refill teeth, replace dentures, and so on. Treatment of jaw joint dysfunction is carried out by prescribing anti-inflammatory drugs.
At home, you can alleviate the condition a little with the help of warm compresses, and in case of inflammation, applying ice will help. Do not load the jaw: soft and ground food, complete rest.
Relaxation techniques can help you cope with pain. It can be used to prevent the occurrence of such diseases.

Treatment of all diseases associated with clicking of the jaw joints and pain depends on the degree and nature of the development of the inflammatory process. General recommendations in this case are complete rest of the jaw.

Colds and runny nose are accompanied by the spread of pathogenic microflora throughout the body. Inflammation begins, which is accompanied by pain. Therefore, to the question: can the cheekbone and jaw hurt during a cold, runny nose, or tooth extraction, we can confidently answer: yes.

If pain occurs in the cheekbone area, almost under the eye, then this is inflammation of the maxillary sinuses. Contact an ENT specialist.
Pain at the junction of the upper and lower jaw may occur due to colds and runny nose. Bacteria enter the joint sac, its surface becomes inflamed. It will help to get rid of the ENT problem.
A cold can cause inflammation of the jaw nerve. A neurologist treats this disease.
Cheekbones may hurt with otitis media. In this case, the pain may be accompanied by an increase in temperature. An ENT doctor treats otitis media.

Pain in the jaw during tooth extraction may be minor. But, if the pain is severe and intensifies over time, then the surgeon may not have removed the entire tooth, so you should immediately consult a dentist.

Often, when pain occurs, people panic and do not know which doctor to contact. If such a situation arises, you can contact a therapist, and he will refer you to the right specialist. What other doctor can you see if your cheekbone or jaw hurts? The following specialists will receive you:

dentist;
dental surgeon;
surgeon, orthodontist;
neurologist;

If the pain is sharp and unbearable, as with a dislocation or fracture of the jaw, then you should call an ambulance.

From the above, it is clear that there are many reasons for pain in the jaw joint. Diseases can be associated with ENT organs, neuralgia, inflammation of joint and soft tissues, inflammation of dental tissues.

Therefore, treatment for a sore jaw joint near the ear or in the cheekbone area should only be prescribed by a specialist.
He will be able to make the correct diagnosis or refer you to another highly specialized doctor.
Often, the treatment of pain in the cheekbone area is accompanied by the prescription of anti-inflammatory and antibacterial drugs. For almost any inflammatory process, the doctor prescribes UHF or other physiotherapeutic procedures.

Important: Do not self-medicate! This is dangerous to your health.

Osteoarthritis of the jaw is a chronic disease of the skull bones, in which the cartilage in the joints is destroyed, which leads to deformation, pain and decreased mobility.

Drug treatment should only be prescribed by a doctor. Self-medication can lead to worsening of the condition and uncontrolled reaction of the body. The main groups of drugs used in the treatment of jaw pain:

Anti-inflammatory drugs - non-steroidal drugs: diclofenac, ibuprofen, etoricoxib, ketorol. If there are diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, then drugs that reduce acidity in the stomach are prescribed in parallel: Omeprazole, Lansoprazole.
Vitamins - ascorbic acid (vitamin C), cholecalciferol (vitamin D), calcium.
Drugs that renew cartilage tissue - hyaluronic acid.
Intra-articular injections for severe pain: Disprospan. This treatment is carried out once every 6 months.

Women can be prescribed hormonal therapy, especially during menopause, but under the supervision of a gynecologist and endocrinologist. Physiotherapeutic procedures will also be effective: electric current, paraffin, laser, magnet, massage, ultrasound.

In parallel with medications, folk remedies are used in the treatment of arthrosis of the jaw joint. Apitherapy is a therapy carried out using bee venom. It contains biogenic amines, which relieve pain and act as an anti-inflammatory agent. Bee venom is used as follows:

This method has many contraindications (allergies, chronic diseases, malignant neoplasms, hypertension, diabetes). Therefore, you should consult your doctor before starting treatment.

In addition to bee venom, honey and gelatin can be used to treat arthrosis:

Video: Why does my jaw click?

Sometimes there is an unusual condition when the jaw does not open completely or does not open well. A person cannot eat properly, talk, and when trying to open his mouth a little wider, pain appears, sometimes of a sharp nature. Trying to sharply open the mouth, a person feels severe pain in the mandibular joint, and it can also radiate to the temporal region. This condition in which the jaw does not open completely is called muscle contracture. Problems in the periarticular tissues of the temporomandibular joint can also be the cause of such complaints.

Severely limited mouth opening is observed with ankylosis of the temporomandibular joint. With this disease, complete or partial fusion of the articular surfaces occurs. Normal eating becomes impossible, bite and breathing are disrupted. The face takes on a “bird-like” appearance. Treatment of this pathology is surgical. Additionally, massage, exercise therapy, drug therapy and a gentle diet are prescribed.

If contracture of the jaw apparatus appears, it is recommended to consult a specialist. After additional diagnostic measures, he will be able to determine why the mouth does not open fully, why painful sensations appear, and what to do in this case.

With contracture, there is a sudden difficulty in the mobility of the joint, which is responsible for the movements of the lower jaw, due to pathological processes in the muscle or ligament tissue. Often such processes are triggered by injuries, illnesses, or reflex sharp muscle contractions.

There are certain reasons why it is impossible or difficult to open your mouth:

contracture of the muscles of the jaw apparatus, which occurs as a result of injuries (for example, after a fall, blow), sprains of the muscular apparatus (with prolonged wide opening of the mouth at the dentist);
myositis, which is obtained during the administration of anesthesia (mandibular or torusal), which is used in the treatment or extraction of units on the lower dentition;
an inflammatory process in the muscular system that appears as a result of hypothermia or infection;
rheumatic diseases and, as a result, inflammation in the temporomandibular joint;
injury to the joint or surrounding tissues;
subluxation;
periostitis of the alveolar process and inflammation, which has spread to all structures of the ligamentous apparatus of this area;
purulent processes (phlegmon, abscesses) on the mandibular apparatus, which provoke an inflammatory process in the joint itself or in the muscles that move the lower jaw.

All of the above conditions can cause a condition in which the jaw cannot be fully opened, and the range of mouth opening itself fluctuates up to one centimeter.

What to do

If the cause of contracture of the muscular system is the introduction of anesthesia or overstretching of the muscle during prolonged opening of the jaw, such conditions usually go away on their own within a few days and do not require special treatment. If the reasons lie elsewhere, a visit to a specialist is mandatory.

In the event that this pathology is caused by adhesions, scars, tissue fusion, it is advisable to use radical treatment, which involves surgical intervention. Surgical treatment consists of excision of modified tissues and replacement of lost areas of tissue. Typically, these procedures are performed by oral and maxillofacial surgeons.

If additional pain occurs

If, in addition to muscle contracture, pain occurs when opening the mouth, there are probable causes for this condition:

Fracture. During it, pain, difficulty moving the jaw, hematoma or bruising occurs. In such a situation, you should immediately visit a specialist.
Osteomyelitis of the jaw. Treatment of the disease must be carried out immediately, as dangerous complications may occur.
Arteritis of the facial artery.
Dysfunctions in the jaw apparatus. They can be congenital (for example, malocclusion), acquired (inflammation of the joint).

Regardless of the cause and severity of symptoms, it is recommended to promptly contact a qualified specialist who can make a diagnosis, determine the cause and prescribe the correct treatment regimen. If the use of conservative treatment options does not bring the desired result, it is advisable to undergo surgical treatment to restore the full function of the temporomandibular joint.

Sometimes a person is overtaken by a very unpleasant feeling - pain in the jaw. It hurts when you open your mouth, chew and speak. There is pain under the jaw or in the upper jaw, on the right side or on the left, sometimes only the joint hurts, and sometimes the whole mouth hurts. A dentist, surgeon or neurologist will help you answer the question why your jaw hurts. But which one should you contact in your situation?

2 style="text-align: center;"> Causes of jaw pain

The fact is that pain in the jaw can have many different causes; the choice of a doctor and, accordingly, treatment depends on them.

3 style="text-align: center;">Jaw injuries

If your jaw hurts, it means that you cannot speak, eat, or sleep normally. The cause of this problem must be sought as soon as possible, as there is a possibility of dangerous complications.

4 style="text-align: center;">Bruise

When a bruise occurs, only the soft tissues of the jaw are damaged. There is pain, slight swelling, a bruise, but these symptoms are not severe, it is not painful to open your mouth, the patient recovers completely in 2-3 days. What to do if you are injured? The most effective way is to use a cold compress and a special diet that will help keep the jaw at rest.

There can be many reasons for jaw pain. Prepare to be examined by doctors of various medical specialties.

4 style="text-align: center;">Dislocation

Dislocation of the lower jaw occurs when the mouth suddenly opens. It can happen if a person opens a bottle or hard packaging with his teeth. In addition, dislocation threatens people with joint diseases.

When a person has a dislocation, the mouth becomes fixed in an open position, the jaw is slanted on the right or left side, saliva flows out of the mouth (since there is no way to swallow it). The emergency room doctor adjusts the dislocation manually.

4 style="text-align: center;">Fracture

In the event of mechanical trauma (for example, as a result of an accident), a person may experience a fracture of the upper or lower jaw. With a particularly strong impact on the human skull, a fracture of both jaws often occurs at once. The degree of complexity of the fracture depends on whether it is multiple or single, open or closed, and whether there is displacement.

A jaw fracture is a terrible thing, and its treatment is unpleasant.

Symptoms of a fracture (except pain): difficulty chewing, swelling, bruising. Of course, treatment of a jaw fracture is carried out exclusively by a doctor. If you go to the hospital early, complete recovery will take no more than one month. In addition to medical treatment, sufficient attention must be paid to caring for the patient: rinse his mouth with warm water and an antiseptic and give ground food.

3 style="text-align: center;"> Osteomyelitis of the jaws

If the pain in the jaw is pulsating, accompanied by a headache and high fever, then it is likely that you have osteomyelitis of the jaws. This is a special infectious disease of the jaw bones that causes severe inflammation.

The main cause of this disease is an infected tooth, and the doctor makes a diagnosis based on this very tooth (it is loose, it hurts a lot, especially when tapped), an x-ray (it will show how many teeth are already infected) and a general blood test.

Alas, removal of infected teeth due to osteomyelitis is a necessity. In addition, treatment includes a course of antibiotics and general detoxification of the body.

Please note that osteomyelitis of the upper jaw is especially dangerous and can cause serious complications. That's why if you have pain in the upper jaw, you should consult a doctor immediately.

3 style="text-align: center;"> Pain of neurological origin

Trigeminal neuralgia - this nerve is responsible for connecting our entire face with the central nervous system. When the trigeminal nerve is damaged, the pain radiates to the jaw. This pain can be characterized as boring or burning, and it comes in attacks and most often at night. As a rule, the jaw only hurts on one side and never hurts in the back.

The trigeminal nerve, dysfunction of which can cause jaw pain.

Neuralgia of the superior laryngeal nerve - in this case, quite severe pain occurs under the jaw (on the right or left side) when chewing, yawning, or blowing the nose. Very often the pain is accompanied by drooling, coughing, and hiccups.

Neuralgia of the glossopharyngeal nerve is a very rare disease, it is characterized by pain in the tongue, which turns into pain under the jaw, in the lower jaw, in the larynx, and in the chest. It intensifies with tongue movements, chewing and talking, and the attack of pain lasts about three minutes.

Treatment of all jaw pain caused by nerve pathology is carried out with medication and only if it is ineffective, the nerve is surgically cut off.

3 style="text-align: center;">Wisdom teeth

One of the most common causes of jaw pain is teething wisdom teeth. As a rule, such pain intensifies when opening the mouth. What to do in this situation? You have three options:

go to the dentist, he will make a small incision and this will help the teeth grow easier, and if the wisdom tooth is ingrown, the doctor will remove it;
take a strong pain reliever, for example, Dexalgin - often such drugs relieve not only pain, but also inflammation;
use folk remedies, rinse your mouth with sage, it will not do any harm.

But it’s not just wisdom teeth that can cause jaw pain. Soreness under the jaw or in the jaw itself occurs when you have tooth decay, gumboil, or an abscess. An abscess under a tooth can be a sufficient reason for it to become painful for you to open and close your mouth, eat and speak.

3 style="text-align: center;"> Arteritis of the facial artery

If you feel a burning pain under your jaw that extends to your upper lip, nose, or even the corners of your eyes, then you may have facial arteritis. Essentially, arteritis is inflammation of the artery wall, and treatment of this disease is associated with suppressing inflammation in the arteries.

3 style="text-align: center;"> Temporomandibular joint dysfunction

In this case, the pain can be not only in the joint itself, but also in the temple, cheek and even forehead. The pain intensifies when opening the mouth, and with every movement a click is heard.

A clear sign of a malfunction of the temporomandibular joint is a clicking sound when the jaws open.

The fact is that there are many reasons for dysfunction of the temporomandibular joint (from malocclusion to osteoarthritis of the joint). Therefore, you cannot self-medicate, and if you are absolutely sure that the pain is related to the joint, then go to the doctor: he will determine the cause and prescribe the appropriate treatment.

3 style="text-align: center;">Carotidynia

Carotidynia is a type of migraine. The pain occurs suddenly and is concentrated in the upper jaw (both on the right and left sides).

Carotidynia can be caused by various reasons. For example, it can be caused by a damaged tooth, inflammation in the sinuses, or the same damage to the trigeminal nerve discussed above. Treatment is prescribed by a doctor, but, as a rule, the most effective is a combination of indomethocin with antidepressants.

3 style="text-align: center;"> Pain when wearing braces

Why does my jaw hurt so much while wearing braces? Pain and slight looseness of the teeth in the first days after installing the braces system are a sign that the braces are installed correctly, the process of teeth shifting and bite formation is taking place. In this case, you don’t need to do anything.

But if pain in the jaw and the inability to open your mouth normally is caused by an incorrect bite, then you should immediately consult an orthodontist.

If it is in the jaw area - upper or lower, right or left - it is a rather frightening symptom. It may indicate diseases of a large number of organs and structures. These can be teeth, ears, gums, air sinuses, lymph nodes, and soft tissues of the face. Pain from inflammation of the internal organs may radiate to the jaw, but only a few.

To understand the possible causes of jaw pain, let's look at them using an algorithm. This, of course, does not cancel a trip to the doctor, because only a specialist with a medical education can objectively assess the color of the throat, the presence of carious cavities, reflexes, facial symmetry, heart rhythm or other indicators. Several different laboratories and various instrumental methods can come to his aid at the right time.

Main causes of jaw pain

Pain syndrome localized in the jaw can be caused by diseases:

dentofacial apparatus, gums, temporomandibular joint, thanks to which the lower jaw moves, soft tissues under the lower jaw. Such problems are dealt with by dentists in public and private dental clinics, as well as maxillofacial surgeons - operating dentists who solve the problems of jaw abscesses and phlegmon that has developed as a result of dental diseases;
air sinuses. In the area of the upper jaw, on both sides of the nose, there are the maxillary (maxillary) sinuses, and behind the ear there is a temporal bone with a process, inside of which there is a cavity. The mucous membrane that lines them can become inflamed and suppurate; tumors can grow from it. An ENT doctor deals with such diseases;
throat, tonsils and tissues near the tonsils. Purulent-inflammatory and infectious diseases and tumors can develop here. Otolaryngologists (ENT doctors) deal with such pathologies;
peripheral nervous system: inflammation or irritation of nerve fibers and nodes in which processes and bodies of nerve cells accumulate;
lymph nodes located along the perimeter of the lower jaw. They can become inflamed when they collect infected lymph from various organs: nose, throat, eyes, soft tissues of the face. They can contain cancer cells due to malignant tumors of bones, mucous membranes, soft tissues in the face and back of the head. Normally, the lymph nodes are not palpable and do not hurt. Their diseases are dealt with by a therapist (for children, a pediatrician).

Depending on the development mechanism, one of the following types of diseases may develop in each location:

Purulent-inflammatory pathologies:
- abscess - purulent melting of tissue, delimited by a capsule from surrounding tissues; is fraught with the development of sepsis - blood poisoning;
- phlegmon is a bacterial melting of tissue that is not delimited by a capsule, but tends to spread deep into and along similar tissues. It spreads especially easily through fiber.
Infectious pathologies that occur when the bacterium does not cause tissue melting.
Dysmetabolic disorders - associated with changes in the balance of electrolytes or other substances.
Injuries. In the case of the jaw, this is not only a blow or bruise, but also a sharp or strong opening of the mouth, movements of the jaw aimed at opening bottles or hard packaging with the teeth.
Tumors – malignant and benign.
Diseases of peripheral vessels and nerves.

If your jaw hurts after dental procedures

If not even a month has passed since a person was given a braces system or removable dentures, the lower jaw “has the right” to hurt. At the same time, teeth may become more mobile and headaches may occur periodically. This is due to the formation of a correct bite. If this condition does not go away after 2 months, you need to be examined by an orthodontist.

Neuralgia of the superior laryngeal nerve

The superior laryngeal nerve innervates the root of the tongue, larynx, and upper pharynx. When it is irritated, pain appears, localized under the lower jaw. It is accompanied by coughing and drooling. The pain radiates to the face, ear, shoulder and chest. An attack is provoked by swallowing, coughing, turning the head.

Neuralgia of the glossopharyngeal nerve

Here the pain is felt in the tongue, but radiates to the jaw, chest, and larynx. Attacks of pain last no longer than three minutes and may be accompanied by dry mouth. The pain intensifies when pressing on the lower jaw. There is no violation of the general condition, the temperature remains normal.

Odontogenic pain

Pulpitis (inflammation of the neurovascular bundle localized inside the tooth), caries (destruction of tooth enamel), and incipient periodontal abscess (an abscess near the tooth) are manifested by severe pain in a local area of the upper or lower jaw, which intensifies at night and has a pulsating character. In this case, the area of the root of the diseased tooth is painful on palpation, and it hurts when food is bitten by the tooth. It also responds with pain when cold or hot drinks come into contact with it.

Osteogenic sarcoma

It is a malignant tumor, like cancer. Only tumors that grow from mucous membranes are called cancer, and those that grow from bone, fat, nerve or vascular tissue are called sarcomas. In this case we are talking about a tumor originating from the bone of the lower or upper jaw. It manifests itself as a deformation of the jaw, occurring after a period of pain in the jaw and throughout the face. In addition, you can find a point in the chin area or under the eye where maximum pain is felt.

Osteoid osteoma

Pain in one of the jaws is almost always observed only at night. For a long time there are no other symptoms; with sufficient growth of this malignant tumor, facial asymmetry becomes noticeable.

Arteritis of the facial artery

In this case, the pain spreads from the chin and lower jaw to the upper lip. The pain is severe, burning.

If, in addition to pain, the temperature has increased

This symptom requires a more detailed analysis, depending on the location.

Pain in the upper jaw

These may be the following pathologies (almost all symptoms are discussed above):

Osteomyelitis of the maxilla. It is associated with tooth extraction, incorrect tooth extraction, installation of an implant in the upper jaw, incorrect sinus lift. It can hurt either in the left jaw or on the right.
Sinusitis. Usually this disease develops on one side - right or left. It is provoked by hypothermia, trauma to the nose or skull, pulpitis of the upper molars, and periodontitis of the upper jaw. Symptoms of the pathology: pain radiates to the jaw, head, or eye socket, but you can find the point of maximum pain near the nose. In addition, half of the nose is blocked, mucus or pus flows from it (or from both nostrils), the voice becomes nasal, and mucus flows down the back wall of the throat.
Cellulitis or abscess in this area, accompanied by swelling and tenderness of the soft tissues. The disease is preceded by an open (with deprivation of the integrity of the skin) injury to this area, or treatment of the teeth of the upper jaw.
Gingivitis is inflammation of the mucous membrane of the gums. Inflamed gums, and with them the entire jaw, hurt, the temperature rises, and bad breath appears. Read more.
Alveolitis is an inflammation of the tooth socket after its removal.

Pain in the lower jaw

Pain in the lower jaw with increased temperature may be a consequence of:

osteomyelitis;
gingivitis;
alveolitis – complications after tooth extraction;
submandibular phlegmon or abscess;
glossitis - inflammation of the mucous membrane of the tongue, which occurs as a result of its infection due to burns (chemical or thermal) or injuries. With this disease, not only the tongue hurts and the taste ceases to be felt, but also the jaw aches;
if it is localized near the ear and is accompanied by an increase in body temperature, it is most likely. In this case, there may be discharge of pus or light fluid from the ear, and hearing impairment. Otitis media is indicated by weakness, fatigue, loss of appetite. A characteristic symptom: the pain intensifies when pressing on the tragus of the ear (a particularly protruding cartilage on the inside).

Ear and jaw pain

The symptom of pain in the ear and jaw indicates:

dysfunction of the temporomandibular joint. People over 30 years of age are more susceptible to this disease, especially those who have suffered trauma, arthritis of this joint, or have a pathology of the bite or masticatory muscles. It manifests itself as a headache in one half of the head, pain in the jaw, which radiates to the cheek, forehead, and temple. Jaw movements occur along a disturbed trajectory. With active movements of the jaw, a crunching and clicking sensation is felt in the joint near the ear. The jaw may suddenly lock.
arthrosis of the temporomandibular joint. Here the pain is constant, aching. There is a crunching sensation when you open your mouth. Opening wide becomes painful, as does closing your jaw too tightly. Chewing on this side also hurts. It is especially difficult to open your mouth in the morning, but then it becomes easier.
arthritis of the temporomandibular joint. Leading symptoms: pain near the ear, crackling, noise, clicking, crunching in the joint area, poor mobility, especially in the morning.
otitis, that is, inflammation of the ear: external or middle, located deeper than the eardrum;
carotidynia - irritation of the nerve endings near the carotid artery. This pain is paroxysmal, begins in the upper jaw, radiates to the neck, ear, oral cavity, and spreads throughout the face. Pressure on the side of the neck from the side and just below the Adam's apple causes acute pain. Causes of carotidini: tumors of soft tissues located near the carotid artery, dissection of the temporal artery;
neuralgia of the ear node. In this case, paroxysmal burning pain occurs. This pain goes from the temple, past the ear, reaches the lower jaw, chin, and radiates to the teeth. Clicking in the ear also appears, and salivation increases. The cause of the condition is hypothermia, sinusitis;
erythroothalgia syndrome. Here the ear hurts more, not the jaw. The pain radiates to the forehead, lower jaw, and back of the head. In addition, the ear turns red. Causes of the syndrome: cervical spondylosis, dysfunction of the temporomandibular joint, damage to the thalamus and some others.

If pain occurs when chewing

Pain in the jaw when chewing is a sign of:

dysfunction of the temporomandibular joint;
arthritis of this joint;
arthrosis of the temporomandibular joint.

All these diseases are described in detail above.

Also, pain when chewing can occur with adamantinoma, one of the benign tumors that develops in the thickness of the lower, and less commonly, the upper jaw. The jaw increases in size, making it difficult to chew. At the same time, pain appears and increases.

Pain is felt under the jaw

Pain under the jaw is a sign of many diseases:

Submandibular lymphadenitis. This is the name for inflammation of the submandibular lymph nodes. This happens when an infection gets here due to tonsillitis, periodontitis, conjunctivitis, facial furunculosis, or a carbuncle that appears on the face. To confirm the diagnosis, painful, elastic and mobile lymph nodes are palpated here. If the latter has a hard consistency, does not move or is painless, you need to look for where the cancer is metastasizing from.
Infectious mononucleosis. This is a viral disease that affects many groups of lymph nodes, including the submandibular one. The pathology is accompanied by a rise in temperature and mild symptoms of intoxication (weakness, drowsiness, nausea, loss of appetite). Read more about.
Glossalgia or tongue hypersensitivity. Here the pain radiates to the lower jaw and occurs after chewing rough food, as well as eating sour, spicy, hot or cold foods.
Glossitis is inflammation of the tongue. The tongue is noticeably thickened and bright red. If the pathology is not treated, submandibular phlegmon or an abscess may develop.
Sialadenitis is inflammation of the salivary glands located under the jaw. In this case, the temperature rises, weakness appears, salivation increases, and appetite decreases. A dense elastic painful formation is determined at the angle of the jaw.
Sialolithiasis. In this case, stones are detected in the salivary glands. Under the lower jaw - on the left or right - a swelling is detected, purulent discharge is released into the mouth, the amount is insignificant, and the person does not feel it, but the smell in the mouth becomes unpleasant.
Pharyngitis is inflammation of the mucous membrane of the throat. Symptoms: cough and pain that can radiate to the jaw.
Sore throats are inflammations of the tonsils. In this case, the throat hurts greatly, the temperature rises, and it becomes painful to swallow. Pain from the throat can radiate to the jaw and ear.
Tumors of the salivary glands, which are manifested by aching pain of low intensity, localized under the jaw. If the tumor is malignant, the pain becomes more intense, the temperature rises, the submandibular lymph nodes enlarge, weakness increases, and body weight decreases.
Tumors of the larynx, in which irritation of the laryngeal nerve occurs. In this case, pain appears in the throat, it spreads to the chest, the area under the lower jaw, and the ear. A person is also bothered by a lump in the throat, difficulty swallowing first solid and then liquid food.
Fracture of the lower jaw. Its symptoms are described below.

If it hurts to open your mouth

Pain when opening the mouth can be:

acute, when it occurred sharply and suddenly;
chronic: exists for a long time.

Acute pain

Typical for the following cases:

Bruise, fracture or dislocation of a joint. Then it occurs after a blow, a strong opening of the mouth, or a fall on the face. The characteristic symptoms are described above, in the section “Pain appeared after injury.”
Cellulitis, abscess or osteomyelitis. In this case, it occurs after an injury, or against the background of prolonged pain in a tooth, sore throat, chicken pox, or tooth extraction. Its symptoms can also be found in the section “After dental intervention” or “After injury”.
If the jaw hurts after visiting the dentist, when the person kept his mouth wide open for a long time, this means that effusion has formed in the joint– excess fluid produced by the joint membrane. In this case, you need to spare the joint for several days without loading it with chewing solid food. Also periodically apply cold bandages to the joint area for 2-3 days. If this condition is not corrected, arthrosis, a degenerative joint condition, may develop.
Arthritis. Pain can occur against the background of hypothermia, a common infectious disease. When chewing, clicking, crunching, and noise in the joint are felt. The pain may radiate to the ear.

Chronic pain

If it hurts to open your mouth in the morning, then this condition goes away during the day, it could be arthrosis of the temporomandibular joint. It most often occurs in people who are missing molars, placing the stress on the bones rather than the teeth. If there are no teeth on the right, it will be painful to open the right half of the mouth. If on the left, then left.

Temporomandibular joint dysfunction and arthrosis of the joint described above also cause pain when opening the mouth. It hurts to chew and open your mouth too much. Movement is constrained in the morning, but then it goes away.

Trigeminal neuralgia. It is described in the section “When there are no other symptoms besides pain.”

When jaw pain is accompanied by deterioration of the condition

	On right	Left	The temperature has risen	Weakness, drowsiness	Other symptoms
Pain in the upper jaw	Temporal arteritis (large vessels coming from the carotid artery become inflamed)		No	Yes	severe headache, radiating to the back of the head and temples, pulsating in nature; double vision; transient blindness; decreased clarity of vision; soreness of the scalp when touched or scratched; weight loss; swelling, nodules, pain in the temples.
	Osteoblastoclastoma (bone tumor)		Yes	Yes	Pain in the jaw increases, and appears on the skin of the face. A pale pink swelling is visible on the gums
	Cancer (tumor developing from the skin and mucous membranes)		Stays normal for a long time	In the final stages	Jaw pain that gets worse
	Osteomyelitis		Yes	Yes	—
	Abscess or cellulitis		Yes	Yes	Severe swelling of the jaw, making it difficult to open your mouth. There may be nausea and vomiting due to intoxication
Pain in the lower jaw	The same diseases as in the upper jaw
	—		No	No	The pain occurs when walking quickly, walking against the wind, and is accompanied by pain either in the left side of the chest, or in the left hand (or only the little finger). It becomes easier after a short rest, taking a Nitroglycerin tablet
	—		Yes	Yes	The pain is very strong, localized more in the left half of the sternum, and significant in extent. It is triggered by emotional stress or physical activity. May be accompanied by loss of consciousness or arrhythmia
		—	Yes	Yes	The pain is greater on the right under the rib, it radiates to the right lower jaw. Bitterness in the mouth, loose stools or constipation, and aversion to fatty foods are also noted.

The symptom of pain in the jaw is not “trifling”, because it can indicate not only caries (which can be complicated by phlegmon of the maxillofacial area). Malignant bone tumors also show the same sign. Only doctors - dentists, neurologists, otolaryngologists or cardiologists - can accurately determine the cause of pain in the jaw. Even people with higher medical education who are not included in these three categories go for examination to their colleagues, since it is impossible to establish the etiology on their own.