Table of Contents
What is jaw arthritis?
Osteoarthritis (OA) of the temporomandibular joint is a unilateral, degenerative disease of the jaw joint. It is characterized by breakdown of the articular cartilage, architectural changes in bone, and degeneration of the synovial tissues causing pain and/or dysfunction in functional movements of the jaw.
Why do my jaws hurt all the time?
Damage to the jaw joint or the muscles that control your jaw movement can be caused by several factors, including: grinding your teeth at night. involuntarily clenching your jaw due to stress and anxiety. trauma to the jaw joint, such as getting hit in the face while playing sports.
Can you have rheumatoid arthritis in your jaw?
RA can affect the size of the jaw, and patients can experience problems with the jaw joint (known as the temporomandibular joint or TMJ) which are similar to other joint difficulties with RA.
How is arthritis in the jaw treated?
This may include: Physical therapy to provide gentle exercises to help loosen your jaw and strengthen the muscles around the joint. A mouth guard fitted by a dentist to help with teeth grinding and clenching overnight.
How do I know if I have arthritis in my jaw?
What are the symptoms of arthritis in your jaw?
- pain, which can be a dull ache or a sharp stab when you move your jaw.
- inflammation in or around your jaw joints.
- restricted joint movement or locking of your jaw.
- jaw tenderness.
- jaw stiffness, especially in the morning.
What are the symptoms of arthritis in the jaw?
What are the symptoms of arthritis in your jaw?
- pain, which can be a dull ache or a sharp stab when you move your jaw.
- inflammation in or around your jaw joints.
- restricted joint movement or locking of your jaw.
- jaw tenderness.
- jaw stiffness, especially in the morning.
How is arthritis of the jaw diagnosed?
Jaw bone and cartilage changes due to arthritis may be seen on imaging tests such as an X-ray, CT scan, or MRI. “Changes that can be visualized on imaging include condylar beaking or flattening [damage to the rounded end part of the bone], and decreased joint space,” Dr. Levi says.
How do I get rid of jaw pain?
11 ways you can relieve jaw pain
- Apply heat or cooling packs. Apply moist heat or cold, whichever feels better, to the joint or muscles that are sore.
- Watch what you eat. Eat a soft pain–free diet.
- Chew on both sides.
- Stop clenching.
- Relax your muscles.
- Relax in general.
- Figure it out.
- Sleep well.