The best medicines for TMJ pain are over-the-counter painkillers and anti-inflammatories, such as Tylenol and ibuprofen. In some extreme circumstances, a dentist may prescribe something stronger, but even then it's likely to be a prescription ibuprofen, not opioid painkiller.
Severe jaw pain can be caused by a malfunction of the trigeminal nerve the nerve that provides sensation to the scalp and face. Often the jaw pain is triggered by everyday actions such as brushing your teeth, shaving, speaking, and even a gentle breeze.
There are several types of over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription medications that can ease TMJ symptoms, including: Pain relievers like acetaminophen. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen and naproxen. Muscle relaxers (particularly helpful for people who clench or grind their teeth).
“Anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen, Advil, Motrin or naproxen work well with dental pain because they reduce inflammation,” says Huang. Recent data has shown the combination of Advil (ibuprofen) and Tylenol (acetaminophen) is as effective as prescription opioids for tooth pain.
Your dentist may recommend over-the-counter pain medicine, a prescription muscle relaxant or refer you to our experienced oral surgeons for treatment.
The good news is that most TMJ symptoms will clear up in no more than three weeks typically. However, certain TMJ conditions, especially those brought about by arthritis or bruxism, can last months or years, depending on the severity of the underlying condition.
While allergies, colds, injuries, and sleeping can cause pain in the jaw, this usually goes away quickly. But when jaw pain persists for days on end, you might have developed TMJ. However, it can be hard to determine if you have this condition.
If you have a locked jaw or are in a lot of pain, you should go to the emergency room. Serious jaw injuries and dislocations may also necessitate emergency dental care in the ER. A TMJ specialist, on the other hand, can treat most TMJ conditions with physical and massage therapy.
Sleeping on the back is considered an ideal position for reducing pain because it avoids pressure on the jaw, keeps the head and neck in better alignment, provides increased support for the head, neck and shoulders and makes it less likely that teeth clenching or grinding will occur.
An injury, such as a broken jaw or a strain or sprain in the surrounding muscles, could cause jaw pain that radiates to the ear. If a person notices ear and jaw pain shortly after a fall, a car accident, or a blow to the head, they may have a jaw injury that needs medical treatment.
Seek medical attention if you have persistent pain or tenderness in your jaw, or if you can't open or close your jaw completely. Your doctor, your dentist or a TMJ specialist can discuss possible causes and treatments for your problem.
There's no way to know how long your toothache will last. It depends on the underlying cause. For instance, if you have temporary gum irritation, it should go away on its own in a day or two. But if you have a cavity or abscess, the pain may come and go somewhat, but it won't go away completely.
More often than not, pain on one side of your jaw is linked to a dental problem like cavities, an abscess, wisdom teeth, gum disease, missing or misaligned teeth, or clenching and grinding.
While watching yourself in a mirror, gently open and close your mouth, dropping your jaw straight up and down. Repeat for a few minutes each morning and night. Look for small improvements in the jaw's range of motion as you practice this exercise from day to day.
If one or more of your teeth is suddenly overly sensitive to heat, cold, or sugar, you probably have a cavity. Finally, try resting your face for a time and/or massaging the temporomandibular joint. If the pain seems to lessen or dissipate, it may be TMJ pain.
Painkillers such as ibuprofen, codeine or paracetamol can also help with the immediate pain. Your dentist may prescribe a stronger painkiller depending on your situation, this could be a muscle relaxant or an antidepressant.
Symptoms of an abscess in your tooth or gum may include: an intense, throbbing pain in the affected tooth or gum that may come on suddenly and gets gradually worse. pain that spreads to your ear, jaw and neck on the same side as the affected tooth or gum.
Telling Signs Your Jaw Pain Is an Emergency
The pain is intense and too much to handle. The pain spreads to other areas of the body, such as the neck or the face. You find it difficult to eat, talk, or otherwise move your mouth and jaw. You notice swelling.
TMJ syndrome refers to a disorder of the temporomandibular joint that connects the jaw to the rest of the skull. When this joint becomes irritated, inflamed, or otherwise compromised, the pain can become unbearable in a short period of time.
A person having a heart attack may feel short of breath. Therefore, if they are experiencing jaw pain in combination with shortness of breath, it is reasonable to suspect a heart attack.
Symptoms typically present as swelling, erythema, pain, tenderness, and limited range of motion of the TMJ. Many patients may misidentify it as ipsilateral earache or temporal headache due to anatomical proximity. Pain may be worse at night if bruxism is present, and may wake the patient from sleep.