Nowadays, many people feel disturbed due to Jaw hurts when yawning. Usually, this can happen to those who have issues like wrong-positioned teeth, pressure on jaw muscles or also due to TMJ disorder. In this condition, you feel totally uncomfortable and face difficulties in your daily activities. Mostly, you can not open and close your mouth easily. Some other issues, like stress and anxiety, are also causes of it because they increase the chances of teeth grinding or clenching.
Many people are searching for the main reasons that can cause this problem and also want to know how to get out of this problem. If you are one of them, this article is very helpful for you. Here, you can get detailed information about helpful prevention methods, such as lifestyle changes, relaxation techniques, and treatments. So get ready to know about this in detail.
Understanding Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Disorder
Usually, the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is defined as a bridge that helps to maintain the connection between your lower jaw and your skull. It is a very important part that is very helpful in some factors, like:
- Chewing: Breaking down food.
- Speaking: Forming words and sounds.
- Yawning: Opening the mouth wide.
TMJ is also named temporomandibular joint dysfunction. In short, for TMD, this condition happens when you are having issues with the smooth functioning of this joint. The following points help you to understand its causes:
- Muscle strain and overuse: When you increase the movement of your jaw muscles, this can put pressure on them. Usually this can happen when you grind your teeth or excessively gum. Then, you have to face pain and stiffness.
- Arthritis: If you are suffering from a condition like osteoarthritis, then you also see TMJ problems because this can cause irritation and pain, and over time, it gets more serious.
- Injury or trauma: In some cases, if your lower jaw gets hit accidentally or has the wrong position, then this can increase the chances of TMJ because this can affect the whole nearby area.
- Misaligned bite: Always make a proper bite because improper bites can increase the chances of dental issues.
- Stress and anxiety: These are the most common issues that can be causes of TMJ; they can increase the chances of teeth grinding and clenching, and as a result, you have to face dental issues.
Common Symptoms of TMJ Disorder Beyond Jaw Pain
While jaw pain is the key symptom of TMJ disorders, other common symptoms can include:
- Headaches: Regular or continuous headaches, mostly around the temples or eyes.
- Earaches: The pain occurs around the ear areas, or the ringing condition is tinnitus.
- Neck and shoulder pain: When the muscle tension or stiffness increases in the neck and shoulders.
- Difficulty chewing or speaking: Pain or discomfort when eating or talking.
When to Consult a Dentist or Doctor?
In this situation, if you are facing serious problems like consistent jaw pain when yawning and if you see any symptoms related to it or TMJ, then it's important to check this through your dentist for getting proper treatment. The following are some factors that help you know when to consult a dentist:
- Persistent jaw pain: When you are having more pain and it can not get normal, instead of getting more serious, then consult your dentist.
- Difficulty opening or closing your mouth: You feel discomfort because, due to this, you have to face difficulties in opening or closing your mouth, usually while eating or speaking.
- Severe headaches or earaches: If you feel persistent headaches or earaches, take it seriously because it is also a symptom of it.
- Unexplained weight loss or fever: When you see a sudden loss in your weight or fever, then it might get more serious and you should immediately communicate with your doctor.
Diagnostic Procedures
To understand your condition well about jaw pain, your doctor first checks you properly before suggesting the best treatment.
- Physical examination: They properly check you and understand issues like range of motion, tenderness, and any clicking or popping sounds.
- Medical history review: They also ask you about your previous dental conditions. This helps them to know your condition well.
- Imaging tests: In addition, they also suggest some tests through which they confirm your condition. The following are these tests:
- X-rays: This test is needed to check the position of your teeth and jaw to understand whether they are in the right position or not.
- CT scan: This is needed to get the proper and confirmed images of the TMJ and its nearby area.
- MRI: This is needed to check the condition of tissues and identify any inflammation or damage.
Treatment Options
The treatment for TMJ disorders will depend on the various causes and the severity of the symptoms. Here are the common treatment options:
Conservative Treatments
- Pain relievers: Some painkillers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help to get relief from pain and inflammation.
- Relaxation techniques: Some methods for managing stress are also useful, including deep breathing exercises, meditation, and yoga, which will play a great role in reducing muscle tension.
- Heat or cold therapy: In case you place ice packs or apply warm compresses to the affected area, it can quickly reduce the pain.
- Physical therapy: Visit the physical therapist. He will teach you some exercises to improve jaw mobility and strength and lower the pain rate.
- Oral splints (bite guards): Use custom-made guards because these devices help to manage the jaw and reduce the stress that affects TMJ.
Home Remedies and Prevention
It is essential to manage jaw pain at home because this is the most effective way to reduce stress and stop the condition from worsening. Here, we provide some essential lifestyle meditation and methods that help you to get relief and protection from jaw pain:
Stress Management Techniques
Stress is the main factor that causes jaw pain, mostly when it causes teeth grinding or clenching. But making a routine to adopt stress-reducing methods will help you to reduce the symptoms, and these exercises include deep breathing and yoga to reduce muscle tension.
Proper Posture and Ergonomics
Another reason that produces tension in the jaw muscles is poor posture. But if you manage a neutral posture, this step will play a great role in stopping grinding and reducing the pain produced by tension. Always remember how to position your neck and shoulder to avoid stress on TMJ.
Dietary Considerations
Avoid eating hard food because it puts pressure on the muscles. When you start eating soft food options like mashed potatoes or other options, it can reduce the pressure and allow the jaw muscles to rest and recover, preventing the pain.
Final Verdict
To avoid serious issues caused by jaw pain when yawning, you have to first understand this condition well. In this article, you can get all the detailed information about it and also get the symptoms that help you to understand it more well. You have to do something to reduce its chances, like lifestyle adjustments, such as stress management, proper posture, and avoiding jaw-clenching habits, and if it's still getting more serious over time, consult your doctor for the best treatment.