When can jaw pain be serious?

Should not!: The worst thing you could do is get tracked into surgery. Mechanical issues shiiould be addressed. The most common forms of arthitis that affect the TMJ are spondyloarthopathies, may commonly psoriatic arthritis. Try nsaids and have the TMJ injected.

Almost always: Jaw pain can be both a dental and medical problem. A heart attack can present with only jaw symptoms. Dental abscesses and tumors can present as jaw pain. The pain should be evaluated by a dentist and if it is not of dental origin then by a physician.

Pain: Pain is a reaction from your body, informing you that there is something wrong. So it should be evaluated soon. Pain in the jaw can be from local issues such as muscles surrounding it, tmj, tooth infection, bone tumor/cyst, fracture, etc. Or can be a referral pain from neck, heart. Systemic diseases such arthritis, degenerative bone disease can cause joint pain.

Not gone soon: Jaw pain can be from something as simple as a sore muscle to metastatic cancer. I would suggest seeing a dentist who specializes in jaw pain. One can find a dentist in your area who specializes in jaw pain by looking at www.Aaop.Org or www.Aacfp.Org.

Anytime: Pain is the bodies symptom of something wrong. It is always serious enough to have it checked out. It may be as simple as a bruise, as serious as a cancer. Any jaw pain that does not resolve spontaneously within a few days should be evaluated by your dentist or an oral surgeon. The most common cause of chronic pain of the jaw is likely TMJ disorders.