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Suggest Remedy For Pain In Jaws
Question: Hi, I am male, 40 years, vegetarian eater.
About couple of months back, when I was eating rotis, I felt a pain in my right jaw. It felt like a sprain in my lower right jaw and I was unable to chew using the right side molars.The third molars and second molars of upper and lower jaws could not join together. I ended up chewing using my left jaw. The pain subsided after few hours and then I forgot about the episode.
Recently, I came down with cold. I have had sinus problem since childhood. This time, my ears too got infected, especially my right ear was painful and blocked. I consulted a General Practitioner, took medicines for cold and the cold went away. But during this episode, I again faced the same issue, with my right lower jaw hurting badly and unable to join with the upper right jaw. This pain is persisting now for over 10 days, on and off. I dont have problem most of the day, but it occurs invariably when I eat. Any help on further course of action for me is appreciated. Should I consult a Dentist or should I consult an ENT / General physician?
There is no pain in my left jaw. Incidentally, I would like to inform that I underwent a dental procedure about 10 years back and my Left lower second molar was replaced with an implant (Titanium base). I dont have any issues with the implant. However, it could have caused me giving more pressure on the right jaw when I chew as I am always conscious that my left jaw should receive lesser work as it is an implant.
About couple of months back, when I was eating rotis, I felt a pain in my right jaw. It felt like a sprain in my lower right jaw and I was unable to chew using the right side molars.The third molars and second molars of upper and lower jaws could not join together. I ended up chewing using my left jaw. The pain subsided after few hours and then I forgot about the episode.
Recently, I came down with cold. I have had sinus problem since childhood. This time, my ears too got infected, especially my right ear was painful and blocked. I consulted a General Practitioner, took medicines for cold and the cold went away. But during this episode, I again faced the same issue, with my right lower jaw hurting badly and unable to join with the upper right jaw. This pain is persisting now for over 10 days, on and off. I dont have problem most of the day, but it occurs invariably when I eat. Any help on further course of action for me is appreciated. Should I consult a Dentist or should I consult an ENT / General physician?
There is no pain in my left jaw. Incidentally, I would like to inform that I underwent a dental procedure about 10 years back and my Left lower second molar was replaced with an implant (Titanium base). I dont have any issues with the implant. However, it could have caused me giving more pressure on the right jaw when I chew as I am always conscious that my left jaw should receive lesser work as it is an implant.
Brief Answer:
Looks like problem associated with Jaw joint, consult an Oral Surgeon.
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Welcome to HEALTHCARE MAGIC..
I have gone through your query and can understand your concerns..
As per your complain sudden feeling of a sprain in lower jaw with inability to chew on the affected side due to disturbances in occlusion that is upper and lower teeth does not come in contact seems to be associated with the slight dislocation of the lower jaw at the level of jaw joint or TEMPOROMANDIBULAR JOINT and this looks to be most probable cause in your case..
Many a times slight dislocation get improved on its own as the condylar process of lower jaw that takes part in making the jaw joint with the base of skull goes back to its original position with slight movement and manipulation of the jaw but can reoccur again and again as it look like similar in your case..
So my suggestion is to consult an Oral Surgeon and get evaluated and he/she can also confirm the cause by taking a full mouth x ray known as ORTHOPANTOMOGRAM or OPG and lateral view x Ray and once the diagnosis is confirmed treatment can be planned accordingly..
As of now avoid opening the mouth too wide, take care while laughing, yawning etc..
Take painkiller like Ibuprofen for moderate pain and TRAMADOL if pain is severe..
Muscle relaxant like Chlorzoxasone can be taken.
Take a soft diet.
Any further questions are welcome..
Hope this information helps..
Thanks and regards.
Dr.Honey Nandwani Arora
Looks like problem associated with Jaw joint, consult an Oral Surgeon.
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Welcome to HEALTHCARE MAGIC..
I have gone through your query and can understand your concerns..
As per your complain sudden feeling of a sprain in lower jaw with inability to chew on the affected side due to disturbances in occlusion that is upper and lower teeth does not come in contact seems to be associated with the slight dislocation of the lower jaw at the level of jaw joint or TEMPOROMANDIBULAR JOINT and this looks to be most probable cause in your case..
Many a times slight dislocation get improved on its own as the condylar process of lower jaw that takes part in making the jaw joint with the base of skull goes back to its original position with slight movement and manipulation of the jaw but can reoccur again and again as it look like similar in your case..
So my suggestion is to consult an Oral Surgeon and get evaluated and he/she can also confirm the cause by taking a full mouth x ray known as ORTHOPANTOMOGRAM or OPG and lateral view x Ray and once the diagnosis is confirmed treatment can be planned accordingly..
As of now avoid opening the mouth too wide, take care while laughing, yawning etc..
Take painkiller like Ibuprofen for moderate pain and TRAMADOL if pain is severe..
Muscle relaxant like Chlorzoxasone can be taken.
Take a soft diet.
Any further questions are welcome..
Hope this information helps..
Thanks and regards.
Dr.Honey Nandwani Arora
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Answered by
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