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Posted on 7/20/2019 by Manhattan Maxillofacial Surgery Group |
![]() The TMJs allow you to open your mouth, and if there are any issues with them, the pain can radiate down to your jaw and even across your entire face. But there are other causes of jaw pain, too. Here are some of these less common causes. Dental IssuesGum disease, broken teeth, cavities, and abscesses usually cause pain in the mouth, but they can affect your jaw, too. All of these issues can become so severe that the pain spreads out and affects other parts of your face.ArthritisRheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that causes the body to attack itself. While most people associate rheumatoid arthritis with the fingers and knees, it can affect the temporomandibular joints. This makes your jaw sore and stiff and can make it difficult to talk and eat.Heart AttacksIf you suddenly feel jaw pain that seems to come out of nowhere, it can actually be a sign that you are about to experience a heart attack. That's because heart attacks are often preceded by what is known as referred pain, or pain that is felt in other parts of the body instead of in the area where the problem is. Feeling pain in the jaw may be the only warning sign of a heart attack some people have.TetanusTetanus is a disease you can get from being cut by a rusty nail or anything else with rust on it. One of the first signs that you're dealing with tetanus is that your jaw muscles start to stiffen up. This is a serious disease that can leave you hospitalized for weeks or months, but fortunately, vaccines have greatly reduced the number of cases of tetanus.If you're experiencing pain in your jaw and don't know why, call us today to schedule an appointment. We will help you determine the cause and how to treat it. |
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