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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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How Can Pain Upon Opening The Mouth Be Treated?

Yesterday morning when I woke up I notice I wasn't able to open my mouth very far without discomfort. As the day progress the pain became more intense. The right side of my jaw is extremely painful especially when I try to open my mouth. I also feel discomfort in my right ear. The previous week I was having headaches. I have lost part of a tooth on the same side and I also have a couple of punctures on my arms from my puppy. I am a 62 year old woman so my skin has become thin and marks easily and the punctures did bleed quite a bit. I can barely chew and have to use my front teeth to lightly chew soft food. Any motion of my mouth is quite painful. I don't know what to think. I did start getting "clicking" again which I haven't had in a long time. After reading all the information I am a bit frightened and want the pain to stop and do what is best ??? I don't have the funds to pay for the answer but can you say if I should probably go to Urgent Care ???
posted on Mon, 6 Feb 2017
Twitter Tue, 29 May 2018 Answered on
Twitter Wed, 30 May 2018 Last reviewed on
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Dentist,  's  Response
Hello and Welcome to ‘Ask A Doctor’ service. I have reviewed your query and here is my advice.

As per your complain it seems that pain on the side of jaw, in the ear and jaw with pain increasing on biting or opening mouth along with clicking sound can be due to the disturbances in the functioning of jaw joint known as temporomandibular joint leading to TMJ/TMD.

I would suggest you to consult an Oral Physician and get a thorough evaluation and a full mouth x-ray known as orthopantomogram done.

As of now you can take anti-inflammatory painkiller Ibuprofen, muscle relaxant like Chlorzoxasone and do warm compresses over the jaw. Take a soft diet and avoid excessive mouth opening.

The physician can evaluate you clinically and along with painkillers and muscle relaxants he can also advise you mouth guards and physiotherapy.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
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How Can Pain Upon Opening The Mouth Be Treated?

Hello and Welcome to ‘Ask A Doctor’ service. I have reviewed your query and here is my advice. As per your complain it seems that pain on the side of jaw, in the ear and jaw with pain increasing on biting or opening mouth along with clicking sound can be due to the disturbances in the functioning of jaw joint known as temporomandibular joint leading to TMJ/TMD. I would suggest you to consult an Oral Physician and get a thorough evaluation and a full mouth x-ray known as orthopantomogram done. As of now you can take anti-inflammatory painkiller Ibuprofen, muscle relaxant like Chlorzoxasone and do warm compresses over the jaw. Take a soft diet and avoid excessive mouth opening. The physician can evaluate you clinically and along with painkillers and muscle relaxants he can also advise you mouth guards and physiotherapy. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.