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What Causes Severe Pain While Opening The Mouth?
Question: I'm having trouble opening my mouth wide enough when eating, pain in upper right side if I extend my mouth opening, so I have to take small bites to fit spoon with food. been going on for several weeks.
and getting worse slowly in time. Thank You
and getting worse slowly in time. Thank You
Brief Answer:
Most probably a joint or a tooth/mouth problem
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for posting your question to HCM,
From what you are describing, I would think of some possible problems.
-- A temporo-mandibular join dislocation or even just inflammation of it may cause the problem you have. You will need to see a ENT specialist who will examine your jaw and check for fractures as well, if its the case that you have had a fall or a trauma lately. An x-ray may help to visualize the joint and bone, well.
-- A visit to the dentist might determine if it is a tooth problem. Happens sometimes that tooth pain is not perceived as a tooth pain.
-- Other possible causes of your pain, are a tumor in the tissues of the face and mouth, also a problem called oral submucous fibrosis, a nerve pain due to the damage of the trigeminal nerve that innervates the skin face, ect. These would need a more chronic aspect to develop, but we cant rule them out just because of that, because they are very important causes.
So, to summarize, its very imporant that you consider doing a visit to the ENT doctor, and the dentist, would would rule out the causes mentioned above and maybe more then just them.
Meanwhile, I would recommend to put ice on it, like 20 minutes twice/day, not directly contact with the skin. Also avoid biting hard foods, or things that make it painful, cos' the fact that it hurts more its a signal that tell us that need to avoid that action when possible.
Use painkiller if you have at home, unless it is contraindicated for you, depending on your other conditions. I suggest Naproxen 500mg, twice/day to my patients in general, for 2 weeks. It decreases inflammation, and helps the pain.
These are of course just measures for temporarily relief, but do not treat the main factor that is causing the problem.
Hope this is helpful.
Take care.
Most probably a joint or a tooth/mouth problem
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for posting your question to HCM,
From what you are describing, I would think of some possible problems.
-- A temporo-mandibular join dislocation or even just inflammation of it may cause the problem you have. You will need to see a ENT specialist who will examine your jaw and check for fractures as well, if its the case that you have had a fall or a trauma lately. An x-ray may help to visualize the joint and bone, well.
-- A visit to the dentist might determine if it is a tooth problem. Happens sometimes that tooth pain is not perceived as a tooth pain.
-- Other possible causes of your pain, are a tumor in the tissues of the face and mouth, also a problem called oral submucous fibrosis, a nerve pain due to the damage of the trigeminal nerve that innervates the skin face, ect. These would need a more chronic aspect to develop, but we cant rule them out just because of that, because they are very important causes.
So, to summarize, its very imporant that you consider doing a visit to the ENT doctor, and the dentist, would would rule out the causes mentioned above and maybe more then just them.
Meanwhile, I would recommend to put ice on it, like 20 minutes twice/day, not directly contact with the skin. Also avoid biting hard foods, or things that make it painful, cos' the fact that it hurts more its a signal that tell us that need to avoid that action when possible.
Use painkiller if you have at home, unless it is contraindicated for you, depending on your other conditions. I suggest Naproxen 500mg, twice/day to my patients in general, for 2 weeks. It decreases inflammation, and helps the pain.
These are of course just measures for temporarily relief, but do not treat the main factor that is causing the problem.
Hope this is helpful.
Take care.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Neel Kudchadkar
Answered by
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