How can I get relief from recurrent jaw joint pain?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am seeking information about immediate relief from jaw joint pain. The pain occurred a few months ago but subsided. It returned ferociously yesterday. Nothing has helped, and lying down makes it worse. I visited the dentist last week and was told that I will need a root canal, a crown, and the extraction of all four wisdom teeth. What steps should I take to manage this?

Kindly help.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I read your query and understood your concern.

If the pain is in the jaw joint and not associated with any tooth, then it is most likely due to a disturbance in the functioning of the jaw joint. My suggestion is to get an X-ray, such as a panoramic X-ray, so that the jaw joints can be evaluated.

I suggest you follow these instructions:

Treatment such as a combination of painkillers and muscle relaxants, physiotherapy, and mouth guards is commonly advised once the exact cause is identified.
As of now, take painkillers like Ibuprofen and muscle relaxants like Chlorzoxazone or Tizanidine.
If the pain is severe, stronger painkillers like Tramadol can help.
Avoid excessive mouth opening.
Avoid eating hard foods.
Try to rest your jaw as much as possible for a few days. Avoid chewing gum, clenching your teeth, or sleeping on the painful side.
Soft foods like soup, rice, yogurt, and mashed vegetables may feel more comfortable until the pain improves. Stress can also worsen jaw tightness and pain.
Use alternating warm and cool compresses over the jaw joint.

I hope you are satisfied with my answer. For further queries, you can consult me at iCliniq.

Thank you.