Pain in the lower jaw: strong, aching, sharp, sharp, with chewing

Pain in the lower jaw occurs with diseases of the oral cavity, teeth, throat diseases, mechanical damage, when infected with pathogens.

The lower jaw is the horseshoe-shaped bone of the skull, which has mobility, which participates in the masticatory function.

The lower jaw consists of: 

• horizontal area (body) with teeth; 
• vertical with two processes on which the temporomandibular joint is formed and chewing musculature joins.

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Causes of pain in the lower jaw

In cases of trauma to the lower jaw, the bite is initially checked, the reaction is performed during palpation. A visual inspection is performed for bruising, swelling, and closed deformities.

To infectious diseases carry: a dental abscess, an osteomyelitis, an actinomycosis. With a dental abscess, mucosal hypermia is observed, the appearance of a painful neoplasm of loose structure. In some situations, the disease manifests from the outside on the skin of the lower jaw. Lymph nodes on the neck are enlarged, gingivitis (inflammation of the gums), caries appears. Acute osteomyelitis is determined by problems with swallowing, the mouth is difficult to close because of the edema of the muscles. As a consequence, there is pain in the lower jaw, hyperemia of the tissues, pain when swallowing. Actinomycosis is characterized by the presence of many moves with greenish-yellow contents located in the lower corner of the jaw.

Violation of the functions of the temporomandibular joint is accompanied by a spasm of chewing muscles and trismus, in which the jaws tightly close. Rheumatoid arthritis causes pain during examination, swelling in the joint, and osteoarthritis limits the motor ability of the joint with the formation of edema. In patients with dislocation of the temporomandibular joint, the mouth is not closed, palpations are found during the palpation, displaced forward from the articular tubercle.

The developing cyst of the lower jaw causes only puffiness. Some cases lead to severe bone thinning, when the lightest touch can break it.

Neoplasms that cause pain in the lower jaw: giant cell granuloma, osteogenic sarcoma, Barkitt's lymphoma. With a giant cell granuloma, erosive surfaces appear, bones are destroyed, and purple-cyanotic formations appear on the gums. The initial appearance of the osteogenic sarcoma remains unnoticed in the absence of pain. Her growth causes shakiness of teeth. Barkitt's lymphoma is a disease with a progressive increase in the tumor, displacing the auricle and restricting the oral opening. Tumor formation develops painful metastases in the bones.

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Why does pain appear under the lower jaw?

Under the lower jaw is a huge number of anatomical formations. Their diseases are often manifested by painful echoes in the lower part of the jaw. Pain under the lower jaw arises: 

• because of pathologies of lymph nodes. For example, with lymphadenitis - an infectious inflammatory process. The acute process proceeds with a cutting pain, a temperature, a strong weakness; 
• with the formation of metastases - tumors of the submandibular lymph nodes. The pain takes a chronic character, the body temperature slightly increases and lasts a long period. In patients, general weakness, weight loss, nedomaganiya; 
• at attacks of glossalgia (strong sensitivity of the tongue), provoked by prolonged conversation, eating acute, acidic, hot or cold dishes, chewing on rough food, etc .; 
• glossitis is an inflammatory disease of the tongue. During the study, there is a bright red, thickened tongue; 
• sialoadenitis is an inflammatory process of the salivary glands. Provokes pain under the lower jaw, increased temperature, malaise; 
• Sialolite - salivary stone disease. Characteristic symptoms are: swelling of the mandibular zone (only to the right or only to the left), iron in the oral cavity secretes pus (the appearance of an unpleasant odor), temperature, mild tenderness of the mandible, weakness; 
• with pharyngitis, tonsillitis, tonsillitis; 
• tumors of the larynx - the pain grows gradually, moves to the chest, ear zone, bottom of the jaw. There is a feeling of "coma", a sore throat, feelings of a foreign body, coughing, voice changes. Large tumors make breathing difficult; 
• neuralgia of the glossopharyngeal nerve - a rare problem starting from the root of the tongue or tonsils, passes into the ear, under the jaw, sometimes with pain in the eye, the cervical region. Attacks of pain are manifested by dry mouth, with cough; 
• severe jaw pain, severe hemorrhage, edema, difficult chewing; 
• defeat of the facial artery begins with burning pain in the lower jaw; 
• Diseases of the teeth and gums.

Aching in lower jaw

Aching in the lower jaw can occur with neuritis of the trigeminal nerve, the temporomandibular joint syndrome.

The triple nerve is divided into three processes, supplying the face with nerve endings, thereby providing a link to the central nervous system. Inflammation of the mandibular branch provokes a painful syndrome in the lower parts: jaws, teeth and lips. Painful attacks exhaust the patients with their strength and frequency of manifestation. The slightest movement renews or intensifies soreness. Neuritis is the result of injuries, surgical intervention, complication after dental manipulation.

Factors affecting the development of neuritis: 

• fracture of the base of the skull; 
• surgical treatment of jaw bones; 
• fracture of the jaw; 
• difficult tooth extraction; 
• incorrect prosthetics; 
• incorrect anesthesia; 
• infectious diseases; 
• intoxication; 
• trauma of nerve endings with foreign bodies.

Aching pain in the lower jaw with neuritis manifests itself with varying intensity, accompanied with impaired mobility and sensitivity. When diagnosing the puffiness of the affected area, the skin changes color (becomes cyanotic or marbled) and becomes thinner.

The temporomandibular joint performs a variety of functions - chewing, opening the mouth, etc. He is subject to huge loads, which can lead to the disease. Symptoms of the temporomandibular joint syndrome include: 

• aching pain in the lower jaw, ear region; 
• tension in the lower jaw; 
• uncomfortable, difficult chewing; 
• aching pain of the facial area;
• screeching, clicking during chewing, communication; 
• impaired mobility in the joint; 
• bite deformity; 
• headache.

Different in strength and character, the pain in the lower jaw can appear for various reasons. The body with pain signals a problem in one of the organs, often leading to a violation of the functions of the other. For example, a jaw injury is accompanied by severe pain and disrupts the work of the muscular, nervous systems of the adjacent area.

The identification of the cause of pain is a task for a specialist. The source of pain is determined by manual muscle testing, by conducting a series of auxiliary studies. With the diagnosis, the doctor prescribes treatment. Most often an integrated approach is used, individual for each case. After the therapy, the result is kept by rehabilitation, preventive methods.

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