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Pain in any part of the body is alarming, especially if the jaw hurts on the left side or on the opposite side, because in this case it is difficult for a person not only to chew and swallow, but also to speak and smile.

There can be many reasons for such discomfort, and sometimes pain in the jaw on the left or right signals very dangerous diseases, including cancer. Most patients who are faced with such a problem rush to visit the dentist, but jaw pain does not always indicate dental problems.

Most often, discomfort in this part of the body is a consequence of inflammatory or infectious diseases, various injuries, pathologies of peripheral vessels and nerves, and the formation of tumors. Thus, pain in the left and (or) right side of the face is a signal of a disease not only of the jaws themselves, but also of the ENT organs, lymph nodes, masticatory muscles, tongue and gums, and nervous system. Only a thorough diagnosis will help to identify the cause in time and prevent possible complications that can occur with some diseases.

An incorrect bite often causes discomfort in the jaw area when chewing or speaking. Any orthodontist can visually determine the presence of a problem, but the diagnosis should be clarified using such a modern method as a panoramic photograph of the teeth, which allows you to see the entire dentition. Pain of this nature can occur in children during the formation of permanent dentition, and in adolescents.

Patients who have suffered facial injuries often come to see an oral and maxillofacial surgeon. The stronger the injury, the more intense the pain. A minor bruise of soft tissue, when the bones are not damaged, is accompanied by acute pain, bruising or swelling. These symptoms may go away on their own after a few days, but an X-ray is still necessary to rule out bone damage.

Another difficult injury is a dislocation. It can occur either as a result of a blow or with a sharp opening of the mouth, even when the person laughs loudly. Such injuries accompany those who like to open peels and lids with their teeth, peel nuts, especially if they have a disease in the joints: arthritis, rheumatism or gout.

At the moment of dislocation, you can feel a click, after which a sharp pain occurs in the lower jaw and temporomandibular joint. The fact that such a nuisance as a dislocation has occurred is evidenced by the fact that a person cannot close his mouth, and with the least effort he experiences unbearable pain. The lower jaw may move forward and skew to one side. The speech impairment does not allow the victim to even explain what happened to him. Full swallowing is out of the question, so saliva comes out of the mouth in abundance.

The surgeon determines the dislocation visually and immediately sets it manually to alleviate the patient’s suffering, but a control photograph is still taken in order to exclude a fracture, which is the most difficult consequence of the injury.

If the jaw is fractured, the injured side may hurt so much that painkillers will be required. Any fracture, even without displacement, requires immediate medical attention.

If a displacement is diagnosed by x-ray, the doctor will perform surgery and install a splint. Aching pain after healing of the fracture may indicate that the necks or ligaments of the teeth and gums were damaged by the fixing wire. Sometimes a re-fracture occurs or the fragments are displaced, which causes pain, swelling and hemorrhage. Prolonged pain indicates that nerves were damaged during the injury. In some cases, repeat surgery may be required.

Purulent-inflammatory diseases as a cause of jaw pain

Diseases of this nature can provoke pathological processes in soft tissues (cellulitis, abscesses, boils) and bone tissues (osteomyelitis). With furunculosis, purulent foci are located on the skin, which excludes any other disease. With proper treatment, the ulcers disappear and the pain goes away on its own. But it is not recommended to carry out treatment on your own, since this is fraught with infection entering the brain.

The soft tissues of the tongue area and the floor of the mouth are most susceptible to phlegmon and (or) abscesses, while the patient complains of acute pain in the jaw or under it due to damage to the lymph nodes, swelling in this part of the face, and increased body temperature. A peritonsillar abscess is one of the complications of tonsillitis and is determined by its location on either side of the tonsil.

Pain due to pathological processes in the area of ​​the temporomandibular joint

With arthrosis, arthritis and joint dysfunction, pain in the jaw on one or both sides spreads to the ear and very rarely only ear pain occurs, due to which the problem can be confused with otitis media. The pathological process never disappears without treatment, and in some cases it spreads very quickly.

Arthrosis is characterized by:

• constant aching pain;
• crunching or noise accompanying movements in the jaw area;
• a significant increase in pain with intensive chewing, swallowing, when the mouth opens strongly;
• morning joint stiffness.

Only a dental surgeon can diagnose arthrosis using an x-ray, since this set of symptoms is also characteristic of other diseases, including arthritis.

With arthritis, pain is characterized by varying intensity: mild discomfort is replaced by excruciating night pain. The affected joint crunches and makes noise, it is stiff in the morning. The correct diagnosis is easily established using radiography.

Various types of injuries, inflammatory processes, and malocclusion pathologies can cause dysfunction of the temporomandibular joint, in which pain occurs when the patient chews, yawns, clenches the teeth tightly, and recedes in a calm state. With this pathology, the pain radiates to the temple, forehead or cheek, jaw movements are constantly difficult, and a click is felt at the slightest movement. Diagnosis is the same as for arthritis and arthrosis.

These are the most dangerous reasons why the jaw hurts on one or both sides. The difficulty is that in the initial stages of the pathological process there may be no pain syndrome at all, which does not immediately bring the patient to the doctor’s office. Chronic pain in most cases indicates that the disease is advanced. Jaw tumors can be benign or malignant.

Among benign formations there are:

• osteoid osteoma (the tumor does not grow so quickly that it can be noticed in time, is accompanied by night pain, but as the tumor grows it becomes the cause of severe facial asymmetry);
• osteoblastoclastoma (formation begins with weak aching pain with a slight increase in body temperature, but over time a fistula forms and the face becomes distorted);
• adamantinoma (a tumor begins from a thickening of the jaw, grows quickly and is accompanied by pain, especially when chewing).

All benign tumors undergo surgical removal because they interfere with the normal functioning of the body and can develop into malignant tumors, the symptoms of which are very similar. Often, only after surgery and a special study can one say with certainty whether a benign or malignant tumor was removed.

Malignant formations of the jaws are much less common than other organs, but their consequences can be very serious. This is due to the fact that there is a lot of soft tissue in the jaw area and the tumor grows very quickly, especially if we are talking about a connective tissue tumor (sarcoma), which kills a person in a short time and begins painlessly. On the contrary, a person should be alerted to a decrease in the sensitivity of the skin and mucous membranes on the affected side.

Discomfort in the jaw area can be caused by vascular pathologies, since blood flow in this part of the body is disrupted. Such diseases include arteritis of the facial artery and damage to the carotid artery.

In the first case, the pain is burning in nature and occurs along the lower edge of the chin or in the area of ​​the upper lip and wings of the nose, that is, at the point where the facial artery is bent. Discomfort may also be felt in the eye area.

Pathology of the carotid artery is characterized by the spread of pain from the lower jaw under it, into the neck, teeth, and ear. Discomfort increases when palpating the carotid artery. Special medications are used to treat vascular diseases.

Under the jaw there are submandibular lymph nodes, which can become inflamed, causing pain (lymphadenitis). Sharp pain is accompanied by increased body temperature and malaise. On palpation, the lymph node is enlarged and painful. The disease can quickly become chronic, reminding itself of periodic complications and parallel purulent-inflammatory pathologies, which were discussed above. Malignant tumors can arise in the lymph nodes, which in most cases are metastases of existing tumors in the jaw.

Pain in the jaw area of ​​varying localization and intensity can occur with inflammation of the salivary glands (sialoadenitis) and their tumors, pharyngitis, acute and chronic tonsillitis, and tumors of the larynx. Sinusitis, sinusitis, and mumps are also accompanied by pain under the lower jaw.

Not so often, pain in the lower jaw can be a signal of angina pectoris or myocardial infarction. Moreover, they are accompanied by discomfort behind the sternum and are localized exclusively under the left jaw. An examination by a cardiologist will clarify the situation and help avoid serious complications.

Regardless of why your jaw hurts, you need to go to the clinic to make a thorough diagnosis and prescribe the correct treatment.

Why does the lower jaw hurt? What diseases can this symptom signal? In any case, you should consult a specialist to determine the cause and begin treatment.

Localization and main reasons

The cause of pain can be both injuries and diseases of the teeth and tissues.

Pain in the lower jaw appears for various reasons: various injuries, inflammatory diseases in tissues, damage to nerves and blood vessels, tumor processes. If the lower jaw hurts, in some cases the patient can determine the specific location of the pain:

• in the ear area,
• lymph nodes,
• in the facial muscles,
• on one side of the face
• only in the lower part of the face.

Wearing braces and dentures

Pain often accompanies patients who use removable dentures and braces. Painful sensations during the process of correcting the bite are normal, as teeth shift and. The doctor must warn the patient about this before starting treatment.

Expert opinion. Dentist Rakhvalin R.E.: “Discomfort when wearing removable orthodontic structures often occurs during the period of adaptation. Over time, the pain disappears. If this does not happen, you need to visit a doctor, as this indicates a malfunction of the prosthesis or its improper use. When the teeth do not close properly, muscle pain often occurs.”

Injuries

Pain is the main symptom of various injuries, and the severity of the pain syndrome depends on the nature of the injury:

1. Injury- a mild type of injury, damage to soft tissues, while the bone remains intact. Symptoms: bruising, soreness, swelling, which disappears after a few days.

1. Fracture- serious injury requiring medical attention.

1. Dislocation occurs mainly when the mouth is suddenly opened, while it is impossible to close the teeth back. A sharp, unbearable pain occurs, the lower jaw moves forward or sideways. You need to contact a specialist who will set the jaw back into place manually.

Purulent-inflammatory pathologies

Dislocation of the lower jaw is accompanied by its displacement, with the inability to close the mouth.

Pain and discomfort may accompany purulent-inflammatory diseases:

• Osteomyelitis develops against the background of infection penetration into the jaw tissue (through the bloodstream or from infected teeth and oral tissues). The pain in this case is pronounced, the disease requires immediate treatment.

• Abscesses and cellulitis most often occur in the tissues of the lower jaw, which form the bed under the tongue.

• It is dangerous to squeeze out a boil on your own; you should seek help from a doctor.

Problems with the temporal joint

With diseases of the temporal joint, the pain radiates to the ear. Most often these are the following diseases:

Dental diseases

Pain is the main symptom of almost all dental diseases:

• caries,
• periodontitis,
• limited osteomyelitis,
• dental injuries,
• increased sensitivity of enamel.

Vascular pathologies

One of the conditions for the natural functioning of any type of tissue in the human body is its proper blood supply. If this process is disrupted, pain and other unpleasant symptoms occur. Vascular pathologies: arteritis of the facial artery provokes burning pain, problems with the carotid artery. Medicines are used to treat pathologies.

Pain under the jaw

Pain under the jaw can be caused by pathologies of the lymph nodes.

Under the lower jaw there are many anatomical formations, diseases of which often cause pain:

• inflammation of the salivary glands,
• tumor processes of the larynx,
• lymph node tumors,
• salivary stone disease,
• pharyngitis, tonsillitis.

Neurogenic causes

With pathologies of certain types of nerves, pain radiates to the lower jaw:

1. - damage to the inferior branch of the trigeminal nerve causes pain that spreads to the lower part of the face. Attacks most often bother the patient at night.

1. Neuralgia of the superior laryngeal nerve: severe pain under the lower jaw occurs when swallowing, chewing, blowing the nose.

1. Neuralgia of the glossopharyngeal nerve: pain appears in the tongue, extends to the jaw. Pathology is rare.

When a person experiences discomfort or the jaw hurts near the left ear and it hurts to chew, then it is worth paying attention to the nature of the discomfort. Because this symptom can be caused by existing pathologies or a resulting illness that requires urgent examination and treatment.

It is also necessary to determine whether other symptoms are present.

Reasons for the manifestation of the symptom

In the case when the jaw begins to hurt on one side and radiates into the ear, you should speak about the presence of a possible disease:

• Pathologies of the gums, maxillodental apparatus and mandibular temporal joint.
• Diseases of the air-circulating sinuses.
• Inflammatory and infectious process in the tonsils and adjacent tissues, as well as the throat.
• Pathologies of the nervous system of peripheral nature.
• Inflammation of the lymph nodes.

Pathologies of the gums, maxillodental apparatus and mandibular temporal joint interfere with the full functioning of the lower jaw on the right and left sides, and also cause discomfort to the ear.

As a rule, jaw problems are solved dentists and surgeons maxillofacial specialization, performing surgical treatment, eliminating abscesses, osteomyelitis and phlegmon of the jaw. These complications extending into the ear are noted due to the negative influence of diseased teeth.

Diseases of the air-circulating sinuses arise due to one inflammatory and advanced purulent process, tumors of the cavity of the bone process located behind the ear.

An otolaryngologist deals with this disease.

The inflammatory process in the tonsils and adjacent tissues, as well as an infection in the throat, is treated by an ENT doctor.

Problems with the nervous system of a special peripheral nature are provoked by irritation or prolonged inflammation of the nerve ganglia that accumulate the bodies and roots of nerve cells.

Inflammation of the lymph nodes located in the lower jaw occurs simultaneously with the collection of infected lymph from the soft facial tissues, throat, nose and eyes.

It happens that they find themselves cancer cells, when malignant formations are located in the mucous membranes, soft tissues of the occipital and facial region, as well as in the bones.

It is important to pay attention to the fact that in the absence of deviations from the norm, the lymph nodes are not palpable, do not hurt, and do not cause harm to the ear.

Pain in the jaw on the left and right side

Discomfort in the jaw, depending on its location, may indicate the presence of various types of illness.

So, under the influence of diseases, it begins to hurt with:

1. Left side.
2. Right side.

Pain in the jaw on the left indicates the presence conditions of angina or heart attack. Because as a result of this type of pathology, blood circulation in the heart vessels is disrupted, which can cause pain behind the sternum and in the center of the chest. And in some cases the pain radiates to the jaw on the left side.

Usually the right side of the jaw and ear begins to hurt due to the influence of infections and inflammatory processes or neoplasms. An exception may be an injury characterized by pain, bruising and swelling, which makes it difficult to open the mouth freely.

When an increase in body temperature appears and the jaw on the right begins to ache, then we should talk about the presence of a purulent area, caused by polio as a complication of tonsillitis or an illness of the lymph nodes of the submandibular nodes.

When the jaw hurts constantly, and the sensations have pulling properties, we should talk about the manifestation of formations.

Oncological factor

Pain on the right side of the jaw may occur due to malignant bone formation or osteogenic sarcoma.

Before the main symptoms appear, the sensitivity of the nerve processes decreases, and significant numbness is noted. As this disease progresses, the jaw bones and joints begin to ache with numbness.

A person may be in pain due to the presence of a benign tumor - atheroma. It is caused by one lump near the ear, or rather, behind it. This fact occurs due to the growth of the lymph node and, at the time of palpation, resembles a moving ball with a dense structure.

In most cases, the formation does not pose a threat, but at the same time it can become inflamed, painful and fester.

This effect is demonstrated by intense long-term pain near the ear, deterioration of the patient’s general condition - fever and headache.

Basically, the skin near the lymph node becomes red and, in the absence of adequate treatment, the infection from the pus can spread throughout the body, causing blood poisoning.

When a patient experiences unpleasant sensations in a lump, otitis media is often diagnosed - a process of inflammation of the outer or inner ear. In this case, there is a need to see an otolaryngologist.

Pain while chewing

When your jaw begins to hurt when chewing or opening your mouth, you need to think about the possibility of jaw dislocation or the presence of a disease such as osteomyelitis.

Other ailments with similar symptoms include:

• Periodontitis.
• Caries accompanied by inflammation of the nerve ending.
• Pulp damage.

As a rule, a person begins to experience a throbbing jaw ache with an increase in sensations at night.

Methods for solving the problem

When the true cause of pain in the jaw near the ear on the right or left side is established, the doctor prescribes treatment appropriate to the specific case.

For example, with the identification of the following diseases and the effect of certain factors:

• Cyst, periodontitis or pulpitis.
• Pain from wearing leveling braces.
• Problematic wisdom tooth.
• Pain resulting from wearing dentures.

When a cyst, periodontitis or pulpitis is diagnosed, the necessary surgical intervention is performed. Several days after the operation, during which source of pain eliminated, and the discomfort should completely disappear simultaneously with the healing of the surgical wound.

Pain in the jaw and ear that occurs from wearing leveling braces is considered normal until a certain time, because correcting the bite should be accompanied by pain in the jaw and near the ear. In this case, the dentist can only slightly loosen or tighten the locks and prescribe painkillers to relieve the symptom.

The patient has to wait until the alignment process is completely completed.

In a situation in which a wisdom tooth has moved to the side or inward as it grows, it is customary to remove it. And if this is not done, then in the future it will constrain the adjacent teeth and injure soft tissue, which will lead to increased pain.

The removal operation is performed under local anesthesia. After its implementation, as a rule, there are no complications if you follow the doctor’s recommendations.

In cases where the jaw and the area near the ear begins to hurt due to wearing dentures, the doctor makes the required adjustment. You should not endure the pain, because in any case it is important to visit the dentist from time to time for examination and appropriate therapy.

Pain and other unpleasant sensations in the jaw are familiar to many. This symptom is typical for many diseases, so it should not be ignored. One should be especially wary of the fact that the pain syndrome is constantly present, sometimes subsiding a little, sometimes, on the contrary, intensifying. This condition requires urgent consultation with a doctor to rule out dislocation, fracture, purulent inflammation and other equally dangerous pathologies. Why the jaw aches, aches and hurts on the right or left, including when opening the mouth, the reasons for this and what to do is the topic of our article.

The human jaw is located on the front side of the skull and occupies a fairly large area. It consists of two parts: top – motionless, it contains the maxillary sinuses, and the lower, on the contrary, mobile. Its bone is connected to muscles, which are necessary for processing food. In addition, the jaw is needed there to yawn, open your mouth wide, move your chin, and grimace. All these movements are provided by the jaw joints. Their damage is usually associated with severe pain and discomfort.

If you have pain in the upper or lower jaw on the right or left, the reasons for this may be the following:

• osteomyelitis – infectious inflammation of bone tissue;
• neuralgia;
• all types of joint damage, including as a result of injury;
• damage to the facial or carotid artery;
• dental procedures performed the day before, including tooth extraction and prosthetics;
• red ear syndrome;
• growth of “wisdom teeth”;
• wearing braces;
• arthritis and arthrosis;
• abscess, phlegmon and other purulent diseases of the submandibular region;
• all types of injuries and mechanical damage;
• carotidynia;
• malignant tumors.

Pain in this part of the skull can provoke heart disease, including acute myocardial infarction. Therefore, first of all, this will need to be excluded.

The jaw quite often hurts and swells in boxers, as well as in athletes involved in various types of martial arts. Soft tissue bruise is the simplest reason that causes severe discomfort. The pain with it is localized, either on the right or on the left, in the same place where the swelling is visualized.

Mouth cannot open due to jaw pain

Based on the patient’s complaints and question why the mouth does not open, the jaw hurts on the left side and it hurts to chew, the doctor can assume fracture. Its characteristic sign is that the pain does not go away even if you do not move the jaw, since the bone is greatly displaced. Dislocation is diagnosed quite often in patients of all ages.. It has such vivid symptoms that an experienced specialist can only look at the unchanged position of the mouth and the incorrect position of the jaw. And if, in addition, the patient complains of impaired swallowing and the appearance of a speech defect, the diagnosis will be obvious. Pain during a dislocation is localized at the site of the damaged joint.

On your own, you can only guess the reason why it hurts to open your mouth on one side and why your lower jaw hurts. Only the attending physician can make an accurate diagnosis and prescribe a regimen and procedure for adequate treatment, to whom you should rush at the first manifestations of discomfort.

Features of pain in the lower and upper jaw for various reasons for their occurrence

Pain and aches in the jaw are a common symptom that is present in various pathologies and disorders of our body. As has already been clarified in the previous section, in addition to traumatic injuries to the joint, pain syndrome can be provoked by:

• neoplasms;
• purulent infections;
• heart disease;
• neuralgia.

Let's look at the characteristics of pain for each of these ailments.

Unfortunately, no one is immune from the growth of tumors in the skull area. Pain and aching in the jaw are caused by many benign and malignant tumors. The most annoying thing in this situation is that noticeable pain appears only at the late stage of all of the above pathologies, which are asymptomatic for a long time. The discomfort with them is most noticeable at night. A little later, it is joined by pronounced facial asymmetry, changes in the thickness of the jaw, the inability to open the mouth, and difficulties with chewing food.

Osteogenic sarcoma of the jaw

Concerning sarcomas- the most formidable neoplasm of a malignant nature, then its development may indicate pain radiating to the neck and ear when pressing on the jaw and severe deformation of the face. In later stages of the disease, there is a decrease in the sensitivity of the affected areas.

Inflammation-provoking substances can also cause acute pain in the jaws. pyogenic bacteria, which enter bone and soft tissue through carious teeth, blood or open wounds.

The most dangerous inflammation is osteomyelitis, in which the infection, moving through the dental canals, penetrates into the deep parts of the jaw, causing lymphadenitis, sore teeth, swelling of the face, headache and general deterioration in well-being.

Other purulent inflammations include:

• furunculosis, which is characterized by purulent inflammation in the affected area of ​​the skin and severe pain;
• phlegmon, which is easily identified by pronounced swelling spreading to the ear;
• abscess, in which tissue necrosis is observed.

Osteomyelitis of the jaw

Often Heart pain can radiate to the lower jaw. This happens for acute heart attack, which requires urgent hospitalization of the patient. This disease is characterized by damage to the coronary arteries, thrombosis and spasm of the heart arteries, which leads to necrosis of the heart muscle. The patient’s life depends on urgent medical intervention. In addition to pain in the jaw, a heart attack may be indicated by severe heart pain, lack of air, and excessive sweating.

An attack of angina pectoris can also reduce the lower jaw, in which pain increases from the area behind the sternum gradually moving to the face, as well as inflammation of the carotid and facial arteries.

Jaw pain often occurs due to damage to the trigeminal, superior laryngeal and glossopharyngeal nerves, as well as congenital or acquired malocclusion.

Pain in the jaw due to malocclusion in children

In children, pain occurs due to the development of rickets, and in adults, the cause of discomfort can be poorly fitted dentures.

How to get rid of jaw pain

Jaw pain is an extremely unpleasant and dangerous phenomenon. Therefore, it is imperative to find out the reason for its appearance. The etiology can be very different and, accordingly, the principles of treatment will also be radically different from each other. The first thing you need to do is undergo a series of examinations:

• Analysis of urine;
• general blood analysis;
• X-ray of the skull;
• MRI.

Of course, an examination by specialists is indicated - a dentist, surgeon, neurologist, cardiologist, traumatologist, therapist. Therefore, to the question of what to do if the lower or upper jaw hurts when opening the mouth, the answer will be obvious - go for a consultation with a doctor.

Depending on the cause of the pain syndrome, treatment will be prescribed: dislocation needs adjustment fracture– in immediate surgery, injury- in cold compresses. For purulent inflammation you cannot do without taking antibacterial drugs, and in case of heart ailments, calling an ambulance.

If you have jaw pain, you should definitely consult a doctor.

Regarding dental reasons, then treatment will depend on their type and severity. Those teeth that cannot be saved must be removed, caries, pulpitis and stomatitis must be treated urgently, and if discomfort is caused by a growing wisdom tooth, sometimes a small incision in the gum is enough to eliminate it.

Symptomatic treatment of jaw pain and aches consists of taking painkillers and analgesics. Sometimes, if it is impossible to identify the cause of pain, the patient is prescribed a course of antidepressants.

Pain in the jaw can be of different nature, severity and intensity. But identifying its cause is urgent. Often, she may be the first warning symptom of serious pathologies, the timely identification and elimination of which will determine the overall prognosis. After all, in this way the body tells us that it needs help. Self-medication, as a rule, does not bring the desired result. Lotions, compresses, rinses and other methods of traditional medicine will not solve the problem. Even if they are able to briefly alleviate the condition by relieving pain and aches, it will only be to survive the night and go to a specialist in the morning.

“Health so outweighs all other blessings of life,

That truly a healthy beggar is happier than a sick king.”

A. Schopenhauer

When the body is worried about an impending danger and feels the approach of a disease, it desperately signals the threat with pain syndromes. Sometimes such pains are so unbearable that a person is ready to give everything to make them stop (jaw pain syndromes also include such pains).

Jaw pain is a dangerous signal, indicating a dysfunction of the joints and pathology of the bone apparatus. Soreness of the jaw can also act as radiating pain, the source of which is problems with internal organs. Before deciding what to do with an aching bone, it is worth understanding why your jaw hurts.

Jaw pain as a sign of disease

Most often, dentists have to look for the causes of jaw pain syndromes. But such a symptom is not always the result of dental problems. Sometimes the pain is caused by serious illnesses.

Sinusitis

On the upper jaw on the right and left there are small depressions connecting the orbits and the nasopharyngeal cavity. The bones of the skull in this area are covered with connective tissues, the outer layer of which consists of epithelium. These sinuses are called “maxillary sinuses”.

Sinusitis is a dangerous and unpleasant inflammation that affects both sinuses. Inflammatory processes in this area go unnoticed for a long time due to the poor blood supply to the epithelial tissue. The insidious disease is divided into two forms:

1. Spicy. Inflammation affects the epithelium of the maxillary sinuses, the loose connective tissue located underneath, muscles and a few branches of blood vessels.
2. Chronic. The inflammatory process involves the bone part and the base of the mucous tissue.

The disease affects adults and children regardless of age. The likelihood of sinusitis increases during the cold season (winter, late autumn). There is also an allergic type of the disease, which is seasonal in nature, with exacerbations in autumn and spring.

Kind of pain. In 70% of cases, sinusitis causes severe, unbearable dental pain, radiating to the upper jaw and intensifying with opening the mouth and chewing movements. Aching pain syndrome occurs due to the proximity of the tooth roots to the maxillary sinus.

Symptoms. The first symptom of the disease is a runny nose that does not stop for 3-4 weeks. The mucus flowing from the nose during the initial stages of sinusitis is transparent, but with the development of inflammation it becomes yellowish and purulent. Reproducing pathogenic microflora actively produces toxins that are carried throughout the body through the blood. When poisoned, the body reacts with weakness and a sudden rise in temperature to +39-40⁰ C.

Acute sinusitis. The acute disease is characterized by an intense, throbbing headache. The pain impulse is of a bursting nature, it increases when turning the head. It becomes painful when you chew, sneeze, or cough. The pain radiates to the forehead, angle of the jaw and bridge of the nose and intensifies with pressure. In addition to migraine, acute sinusitis is accompanied by:

• Chills.
• Fear of light.
• Tearing.
• General weakness.
• Heat.
• Decreased sense of smell.
• Severe runny nose with purulent sputum.

If the inflammation has affected the periosteum, swelling of the cheeks and eyelids is observed.

Chronic sinusitis. If the disease is not treated, the disease enters the chronic stage. This development of events is very dangerous - chronic sinusitis provokes the development of purulent meningitis, edematous inflammation of the brain, orbital abscess with venous thrombosis. The symptoms of the chronic stage disease are not so acute and occur with:

• Loss of smell.
• Fatigue that comes quickly.
• Constant nasal congestion.
• Headache, worse in the evening.

Allergic sinusitis. The disease, which manifests itself due to an allergic reaction, is characterized by a paroxysmal course, with prolonged periods of remission. Its symptoms:

• Profuse runny nose.
• Regular headaches.
• Constant itching of the nasal cavity.
• Difficulty breathing normally.
• A rolling sensation of heaviness around the nose, bridge of the nose and cheeks.

Cervical osteochondrosis

Degenerative-dystrophic lesions of the cervical spine. As a result of the pathology, the vertebral discs become thinner and destroyed, which disrupts the normal blood supply to the neck area and areas of the body to which the nerve roots extend.

With cervical osteochondrosis, the intervertebral pulp, which is normally flexible and elastic, turns into ossified tissue, completely losing its ability to absorb shock when compressed. The pathological process involves the blood vessels of the neck and nerve endings.

Cervical osteochondrosis affects 60% of the country's population. The pathology is more often diagnosed in men aged 45-50 years, women get sick later - at 50-55 years.

Causes of the disease. Just a few years ago, doctors believed that osteochondrosis was a disease of the elderly. But the disease also affects young people, even children, with equal frequency. Among the factors predisposing to the appearance of pathology are the following:

Nature of pain. The cervical vertebral region includes seven spinal segments. As degenerative conditions develop, the nerve roots of these discs become compressed. They get pinched, “giving” pain to nearby organs. With cervical osteochondrosis, the pain radiates to the jaws and teeth (in the absence of dental problems).

The pain impulse is dull in nature, the pain impulse “spreads” from one side of the jaw, gradually covering the head, even affecting the Adam’s apple (pain is felt above the Adam’s apple). The pain syndrome intensifies when moving the jaws (chewing, talking).

Symptoms. The cervical region is the most vulnerable to the development of pathology; the large size of the head, small size of the vertebrae, and poorly developed muscle frame play a role. Upright posture and structural features of the skeleton contribute. The main symptom of osteochondrosis in this area is pain. The pain syndrome is expressed and localized in different ways (depending on the area of ​​​​disc damage). Patients feel pain in:

• Clavicles.
• Shoulder girdle.
• Anterior region of the sternum.

At the beginning of the development of osteochondrosis, the pain syndrome increases in the evening, accompanied by a feeling of heaviness in the occipital region of the head. There is tingling and numbness in the arms and shoulders. Headache. When you turn it, you feel a characteristic crunching and clicking sound. The symptoms of osteochondrosis also depend on the disorders that manifest themselves during the disease.

Vegetative-vascular pathology. VSD appears in 90% of cases with osteochondrosis. With the development of VSD against the background of degenerative changes in the cervical vertebrae, the following symptoms are observed:

• Stiffness of fingers.
• Constant tension in the neck muscles.
• It becomes difficult to move your arms to your sides.
• Piercing shooting pains in the neck (just below the occipital part).
• The appearance of a pain impulse after the body is in the same position (after sleep, long work at the computer).

Due to compression of the vertebral arteries, neurological problems develop: nausea, dizziness, loss of coordination, and fainting.

Spinal syndrome. The pathology develops when the degenerative vertebral discs of the spinal cord are compressed. Patients note:

• Heart pain.
• Breathing disorders.
• Decreased skin sensitivity.
• Localization of aching pain on the left side of the sternum.
• Problems with speech due to loss of sensitivity of the lingual muscle.

Due to progressive circulatory disorders, severe headaches develop, ear noise appears, vision decreases, and heart rhythm is disturbed.

Cervical osteochondrosis is a dangerous and insidious disease. As the disease progresses, it provokes the development of hernias and disc ruptures with damage to blood vessels and nerves. Compression of the spinal cord can lead to paralysis and death.

Otitis

Jaw pain can also occur due to inflammatory lesions of the ear - otitis media. The human hearing system is closely connected with the jaw joint; when the ear organ becomes inflamed and swollen, the pain also affects the area of ​​the jaw near the ear. Otitis is a “multidisciplinary” disease, it can be:

• External. Inflammatory process of the ear canal. As the disease develops, the skin is affected and a boil with purulent contents appears.
• Average A type of otitis that involves the tympanic cavity. Otitis media has a chronic and acute stage, can be purulent or catarrhal and provokes dangerous complications (meningitis, mastoiditis, brain abscess).
• Labyrinth (or internal otitis). This type of disease is not a separate disease. The labyrinth always occurs as a complication of the inflammatory process. Its distinctive feature is dizziness and progressive hearing loss.

Causes of the disease. The main culprit in the development of ear inflammation is pathogenic microflora that penetrates the ear canal area. The activity of streptococci, staphylococci, pneumococci and Haemophilus influenzae depends on the strength of the immune system and the pathogenicity of microorganisms. The main causes of otitis media include:

• Hypothermia.
• Injuries to the ear.
• Metabolic disorders.
• Diseases of the nasopharynx and nose.
• Infectious kidney diseases.
• Existing ENT infections.
• Penetration of dirty, infected water into the ear cavity.

Kind of pain. With otitis media, a sharp pain appears in the jaw in the ear area (pain shoots into the ear). The pain intensifies when trying to open the mouth, swallowing, or talking. The pain occurs suddenly and radiates to the cheekbone, temple and neck. The postauricular lymph nodes are enlarged.

Symptoms The main symptom of the pathology is pain impulses of varying intensity: from barely noticeable to pulsating, painful. The following symptoms are also associated with the pain syndrome:

In acute otitis media, the patient experiences the most severe pain – boring. It intensifies in the evening and radiates to the teeth, jaw, and temple. The development of an abscess is accompanied by an increase in temperature (up to +39-40⁰ C). After the boil breaks through, improvement occurs.

Other types of pathologies

Diseases of the mandibular joint. Pathological changes in the structure of joint tissues also become causes of jaw pain:

• Arthritis. Joint inflammation that occurs due to existing infections, age-related degeneration (thinning of joint tissues) and hypothermia. Arthritis of the mandibular joint manifests itself as aching, constant pain radiating to the ear area. The pain increases with opening the mouth and moving the jaw.
• Arthrosis. Deformation leading to degenerative changes in the articular joint of the lower jaw. The disease affects the jaw ligaments. The main culprit of the pathology is excessive load on the joint. The clinical picture is similar to the symptoms of arthritis.

Tumors of the lower jaw. Pain syndrome of the lower jaw can occur due to the development of a neoplasm (bone cancer, osteogenic sarcoma). Before the disease begins to manifest itself as pain, sensitivity in the affected area disappears, patients note numbness and tingling. Gradually, the sore spot swells, joint pain and jaw soreness appear.

Severe jaw pain in the ear area occurs due to the development of benign formations in that area (they are called “atheromas”). A lump that appears in the area behind the ear is a consequence of a pathological process (inflammation) of the cervical lymph node. When you feel the affected area, the atheroma resembles a dense and movable ball.

Such a lump is not dangerous, but it can go into the inflammatory phase and fester (several lymph nodes are simultaneously involved in the inflammatory process). Atheroma is accompanied by a deterioration in general health, dizziness, fever and severe piercing pain in the jaw in the area behind the ear.

Natural causes

The jaw can hurt for quite ordinary reasons. You should understand when pain in this area is a harmless phenomenon, and when you should sound the alarm and go to the doctor.

Why does an adult's jaw hurt?

Mechanical damage. Falls, blows, and road accidents lead to various jaw injuries. It is not difficult to diagnose them - the injury is noticeable visually and by palpation. Complications of jaw injuries include concussions and facial nerve damage.

• Injury. The mildest pathology that occurs after a slap in the face, injury to the soft tissues of the face. In case of a bruise, the integrity of the skin and bone structure is not compromised. This type of injury is accompanied by sharp pain in the damaged area, swelling and hematoma.
• Fracture. The injury is more serious, causing unpleasant consequences. When a fracture occurs, excruciating, unbearable pain and severe swelling are felt. A person cannot open/close his mouth. If the upper jaw is injured, an extensive hematoma of the orbital area is formed.
• Dislocation. A rare jaw injury caused by a strong blow to the side of the face. You can also dislocate your jaw at home (a person yawned unsuccessfully by opening his mouth too wide).

Minor damage and unpleasant symptoms disappear after a short time. But in case of a dislocation or fracture, you cannot do without the help of a doctor. Taking painkillers and applying a cold compress to the affected area will help relieve jaw pain due to jaw injuries.

Dental problems. The jaw may hurt after tooth extraction or caries. If you had to spend several hours in the dentist's chair without closing your mouth, the ligaments of the jaw muscles are stretched. After visiting the dentist, in this case, the jaw ache and itch for some time.

Pain also appears after a tooth has been pulled out. Dental manipulations (anesthesia injection, drill, instruments) lead to trauma to the gums and microcracks, which provokes pain. Pain syndrome is also caused by some dangerous diseases of the oral cavity:

• Pulpitis. Inflammation of soft dental tissues. The culprit of the disease is pathogenic microflora - viruses, bacteria penetrate through microtraumas of the gums into the pulp area and provoke an inflammatory reaction. The pain is most pronounced in the morning (after sleep) and at night.
• Periostitis. Infection of the periosteum affecting the jaw bone tissue. The disease is accompanied by swelling of the gums, high fever and unbearable pain in the jaw. The pain syndrome is pulsating, piercing, pain radiates to the eyes, temple and ear area.

An adult’s jaw hurts even after installing an implant - the gum tissue is very sensitive and responds to such manipulations with a nagging painful syndrome. Pecking of wisdom teeth leads to pain in the jaws. In modern humans, the volume of the jaw is reduced, and the wisdom tooth simply has no room to grow normally. In this case, severe pain covers the area of ​​the back teeth, radiating to the throat (it becomes painful to swallow), neck, and head.

Jaw pain in a child

Children are not immune from injuries, dislocations, jaw fractures, and concomitant diseases of the oral cavity. But sometimes jaw pain occurs for reasons that are rarely found in adults:

• Mumps (mumps). An acute infectious disease of viral etiology that affects glandular organs (testes, salivary glands). The disease provokes the development of severe swelling in the jaw area. The swelling is accompanied by pain that increases with pressure, dry mouth and high fever.
• Tetany. Convulsive syndrome caused by a violation of calcium metabolism in a child. This pathology is accompanied by muscle spasms of the face and body, jaw pain, involuntary grimaces and paresis of the masticatory muscles.

When a baby's tooth grows, the baby reacts with anxiety, irritability and crying. The child’s worries are understandable - tooth growth is accompanied by unbearable pain in the jaw, which intensifies when pressed. Jaw pain can appear after wearing braces for a long time, due to hypothermia (the baby is cold), abnormal structure of the jaw apparatus (bad bite, genetic abnormalities).

If older children are able to clearly explain what exactly and where is bothering them, then kids are not able to do this. Mothers should be very attentive and notice the slightest deviations in the normal behavior of the babies. At the first alarming symptoms, you should immediately visit a pediatric surgeon, dentist and pediatrician.

What to do if your jaw hurts

The main thing to do when you have jaw pain is to determine the true culprit of the discomfort. An unpleasant phenomenon can only be eliminated by recovering from the underlying illness. Helps temporarily relieve pain:

Which doctor should I contact?

If the soreness of the jaw does not go away, the pain tends to intensify, is accompanied by fever, chills - you should go to the doctors.

Traumatologist. If the cause of the jaw pain is a severe injury, a dislocation in which it is impossible to close the mouth, and the jaw itself noticeably moves to the sides, the path lies in the traumatology center. Only a qualified traumatologist can set a jaw that is out of control.

Surgeon. When pain in the jaw area is accompanied by an increase in temperature, the appearance of a purulent focus in the jaw area is clearly observed. The inflammatory process in this case is accompanied by an enlargement of the submandibular lymph nodes, and the pain radiates to the area of ​​neighboring tissues. You should contact a surgeon if:

• The appearance of stiffness in the mouth in the morning.
• If the lower jaw clicks or crunches when moving.
• Aching pain that intensifies with jaw movement.
• The development of a pain impulse into the ear region, into the temple and eye sockets.

Such phenomena cause tumors, arthrosis, arthritis or degenerative changes in the jaw joint. The causes of such symptoms are also complications after a sore throat - the development of an abscess and inflammatory phenomena of the jaw itself. A surgeon will help you make an accurate diagnosis.

Dentist. It will help with carious lesions of the dental canals, due to which the entire jaw is covered by a pain impulse. If there is acute throbbing pain, severe swelling of the cheeks and gums, a visit to the dentist cannot be postponed. Such symptoms are caused by the development of pulpitis and periodontitis - dangerous diseases that can lead to serious and pathological conditions.

Neurologist. You cannot do without the help of a neurologist if the jaw pain is burning, sharp and boring. This is a clear sign of damage to the inferior branch of the trigeminal facial nerve. The pathology is accompanied by noise and clicking in the ear area and profuse salivation. A qualified neurologist will tell you how to treat the disease.

Traditional methods

Is it possible to get rid of jaw pain using folk remedies? Traditional therapy recipes effectively complement the therapeutic procedure and promote rapid recovery:

1. Pour white acacia flowers (4 tbsp) with alcohol (1 tbsp). Leave for a week to infuse. Rub the tincture on the painful area 2-3 times daily. The product is also used for rinsing.
2. Soak a cotton pad with 10% mummy solution. Massage the sore area for 5-7 minutes.
3. Dissolve mumiyo (0.2 g) in a glass of warmed milk. Add natural honey (1 tsp). Take a glass of the product for 1.5-2 weeks.
4. Steam dried chamomile flowers in a glass of boiling water and let it brew for a quarter of an hour. Apply the healing liquid as a compress to the sore area of ​​the jaw. Apply a cloth soaked in the broth to the painful area, additionally secure with a warm scarf, and hold for 1-1.5 hours.
5. Place salt in a cloth bag and heat in the microwave. Warm compresses are great for relieving pain.

Attention! Such activities can be carried out only after a medical examination, an accurate diagnosis and consultation with the attending physician! Procedures are allowed to be carried out 8-9 days after the start of traditional medical treatment.

To prevent the recurrence of unpleasant situations, watch your health! Do not catch colds, avoid hypothermia and treat viral infections in a timely manner. Try to avoid worries and stress, eat well and exercise. This minimum will help strengthen the body and completely forget about painful discomfort.