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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Pain In The Jaw Upon Moving It?

For about the past two weeks I noticed that my left jaw was increasingly painful. It was difficult to open my mouth wide to eat. However over the past two days all my symptoms have pretty much subsided. I had made an appointment with my dentist thinking maybe I had TMJ or something like that but am not sure now because I don't have pain anymore. Do you have any idea what this could be? The pain was definitely back at my jaw
and along the jaw line.
Mon, 10 Aug 2015
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Dentist,  's  Response
Hi.
Welcome to HEALTHCARE MAGIC..

I have gone through your query and can understand your concerns..

As per your complain pain in back of the jaw and difficulty in opening the mouth does not always relate to TMJ and in your case it seems to be related to Wisdom tooth as there can be PERICORONITIS which is inflammation of the gum flap over the wisdom tooth which can get inflamed due to either infection caused by food deposition between the gum flap and the wisdom tooth or being bitten by the opposite jaw tooth.
The inflammation can lead to severe pain in the area behind the last tooth as well as pain in back of jaw which can radiate to entire jaw on the affected side..
As the inflammation goes down the pain can subside..
The other cause can be due to infection or clogged duct of submandibular salivary gland which is present just below the jaw line and pain in jaw can be due to it also..
It seems less possibility that it is due to TMJ in your case but cannot be ignored and you need to consult an Oral Physician and the physician can advise you to get a full mouth
x ray that is an OPG done and in case if salivary gland problem is suspected an MRI or CT SCAN can help in making the final diagnosis and get treated as per the diagnosis..

As of now you can take Ibuprofen [ Advil or Motrin] in case if you have pain..

Hope this information helps..

If you find the answer helpful please give me a Five Star Review and click on found the answer helpful as a token of appreciation..

Thanks and regards..
Dr.Honey Nandwani Arora..
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What Causes Pain In The Jaw Upon Moving It?

Hi. Welcome to HEALTHCARE MAGIC.. I have gone through your query and can understand your concerns.. As per your complain pain in back of the jaw and difficulty in opening the mouth does not always relate to TMJ and in your case it seems to be related to Wisdom tooth as there can be PERICORONITIS which is inflammation of the gum flap over the wisdom tooth which can get inflamed due to either infection caused by food deposition between the gum flap and the wisdom tooth or being bitten by the opposite jaw tooth. The inflammation can lead to severe pain in the area behind the last tooth as well as pain in back of jaw which can radiate to entire jaw on the affected side.. As the inflammation goes down the pain can subside.. The other cause can be due to infection or clogged duct of submandibular salivary gland which is present just below the jaw line and pain in jaw can be due to it also.. It seems less possibility that it is due to TMJ in your case but cannot be ignored and you need to consult an Oral Physician and the physician can advise you to get a full mouth x ray that is an OPG done and in case if salivary gland problem is suspected an MRI or CT SCAN can help in making the final diagnosis and get treated as per the diagnosis.. As of now you can take Ibuprofen [ Advil or Motrin] in case if you have pain.. Hope this information helps.. If you find the answer helpful please give me a Five Star Review and click on found the answer helpful as a token of appreciation.. Thanks and regards.. Dr.Honey Nandwani Arora..