Jaw pain of unknown etiology

[Tinker]

I did a search but still wanted to hear your take on this.

I have an achy sensation in the left middle jaw area and sometimes on the right jaw.  I'm wondering if it's a submandidbular gland infection.  It is intermittent pain, doesn't seem to be related to eating or drinking.

Can't feel any lumps, does hurt when palpated but this is not terrible pain. onset about 3-4 wks ago.  not feeling well.

History:  I lost a filling on that lower jaw about 6-8 wks ago and had it re-filled.  It's a big filling so maybe it's the tooth.  But, that doesn't explain the occasional pain on the right.

Any ideas?  I thought I'd get a dental xray of that tooth to see if anything shows up to start with.

Can you give me any tips?  TY ladies.  I always get great help here.

[Tinker]

I think I posted this in the wrong forum.  Sorry

[jazzlover]

Do get it checked out!

[A66eyroad]

I have phantom pain in the jaw and in various teeth. I've had several unnecessary root canals on teeth the dentist called "questionable" on X-ray but which continued to give me the same exact pain even after root canals and apicoectomy.

That having been said, I've read about jaw pain in women being a harbinger of heart disease, or even a first symptom of a heart attack.  Have you ever had a baseline EKG or a cardiac workup of any kind?

[Tinker]

Hey Jazzlover and Abbey,

Thanks for your replies.  Abbey, I have had a complete workup with echo, treadmill, and xrays and all is well.  I do have hyperlipidema and will have to be followed up forever.

I'm am fascinated by your phantom pain in the jaw.  Unncessary root canals......wow, that had to cost a bundle.   I'm wondering if it is your gland or tmz?

What has the doc said about this phantom pain?

[A66eyroad]

I haven't really talked to a doctor about it --- I've kind of figured it out myself from posts in this forum and other reading on the 'net.

My own opinion is that any inflamation or swelling will press on nerves -- in my case, nerves of the face and head.  I think that's also why I almost always have an earache in my left ear.

And in the same way as pain is "referred" to the left arm or elsewhere in someone with heart disease (since the heart itself doesn't have pain sensors), I get pain in my ears, teeth and jaw when there is swelling or inflamation. I also get twitches in my left cheek and left eye at times.

Does this make sense?

[lighthouse33]

I'm wondering if you are grinding your teeth at night?  When I asked my dentist about having a mouth guard made, he asked me if I had jaw pain and headaches in the morning, which I did.  Since I've been wearing the mouth guard things have been much better.  I'm sure it's also saving my teeth from a lot of wear and tear.  You could also have TMJ. 

One night I forgot to wear my guard and I had an awful headache in the morning! 

[jazzlover]

I haven't really talked to a doctor about it --- I've kind of figured it out myself from posts in this forum and other reading on the 'net.

My own opinion is that any inflamation or swelling will press on nerves -- in my case, nerves of the face and head.  I think that's also why I almost always have an earache in my left ear.

And in the same way as pain is "referred" to the left arm or elsewhere in someone with heart disease (since the heart itself doesn't have pain sensors), I get pain in my ears, teeth and jaw when there is swelling or inflamation. I also get twitches in my left cheek and left eye at times.

Does this make sense?

-
Makes perfect sense to me!

[Joe S.]

I seem to remember reading that our food does contain bacteria that finds its way under our teeth in our gums. It can sit there as an infection for some time before it is identified as a problem. Others may know more of infections like this. If I have and odd feeling in my jaw I play the tones for a few bacteria related to my teeth and respiration. That will usually help me feel better.

[Tinker]

Thanks everyone,
How does the doc confirm it is a inflammation of the  gland?

[Gramma]

I don't know if this will help, but I also have lower jaw pain.  Mine started when I had to have three root canals and two crowns in my lower left jaw last month.  I can't take regular novacaine since I am sensitive to the epinephrine in it, so they use Carbacaine -- and lots of it.  Many shots!   

After all the work was done, I developed drifting pain around the lower jaw on that side which my endodontist says is from bruising of the trigeminal nerve due to all the anesthetic shots and having to hold my mouth open for such a long time.  AND I have long standing TMJ disease and I'm a tooth grinder so my joint hurts anyway.  It's a perfect storm for phantom pain.  My dentist says it may improve with time, and if I can stop grinding my teeth at night.

I plan to see a TMJ specialist next month for an MRI of the joint and see what he recommends.

The one thing I learned from my dentist is that the pain is rarely referred from one side to the other, although it can move from bottom to top and back again.

I hope you will find the cause of your pain and get it treated soon.

[Liz D.]

Could it be like trigeminal neuralgia?  Try googling that.

Liz D.

[Tinker]

Thanks everyone for your replies.  I will followup up if this continues. See the dentist next Tues for the completion of my dental nightmare if any of you remember.  ugh.

Too tired to post much.  thanks to all.

[A66eyroad]

One of my "stops" on the twisty road to diagnosis was to a dentist office with a "bite plane" for sleeping for help with headaches. It didn't really do anything for me. I woke up with a headache whether I wore it or not.  All it did was annoy me and make me look like a frog.

[lighthouse33]

There is an article entitled "JAW PAIN - Joint dysfunction or osteoarthritis could be to blame in the December Issue of Arthritis Today Magazine. 

Summarizing from the article:

TMJ more common in those younger than age 30
Jaw OA is more common in those older than age 50

A dentist specializing in orofacial pan which relates to the mouth and face is the right specialist to treat these problems. 

TMJ SYNDROME:

Clicking or popping
Jaw pain spreading to head, ear, neck or shoulders, jaw may "lock" shut.

WHAT'S GOING ON:
The meniscus (cartilage disk in middle of jaw) is displaced maybe due to stress-related muscle tension, teeth grinding or jaw clenching.

HOW TO DIAGNOSIS IT:
Phsyical exam
X-rays
MRI Scan - shows soft tissue
TMJ is a problem with the soft tissue

TREATMENT:
Resting the jaw
physical therapy by using ultrasound deep heat
anti-inflamatory and muscle relaxant drugs
warm moist packs
nighttime mouth splint
joint replacement surgery for rare cases

JAW OA:

MAIN SYMPTOMS:
Grating sound
jaw pain that does not spread
difficulty with opening the mouth wide

WHAT'S GOING ON:
Bone and cartilage around the jaw joint wears down which causes inflamation of the joint and tissues, fluid buildup and possible bone spurs.

DIAGNOSIS:
Physical exam
X-rays
CT Scan - shows bone
OA is a problem with the bone.

TREATMENT:
Resting the jaw
physical therapy
anti-inflamatory drugs
warm moist packs
nighttime mouth splint
joint replacement surgery if other treatments don't work