Jaw pain and soreness can be caused by a number of different things, one of those being a traumatic injury to the face. When trauma occurs, it can result in a range of dental problems, including the complex jaw, muscle and nerve condition called temporomandibular joint disorder, also known as TMJD or TMD. Many types of blunt trauma to the jaw can cause damage to the upper and lower jaws and the temporomandibular joint (TMJs) that connect them. These joints, located just in front of the ears, are what allow you to open and close your jaw and move it left to right and back and forth.

The Damage

When you sustain a blow to the face from a sports accident, motor vehicle collision or a fall, the pain of your injury may range from mild to extreme.

These events can cause the jaw to become damaged, such as a fracture, or become dislocated. A dislocation means that the jaw has shifted out of its natural position, which can result in a broken condyle (the head of the TMJ), cuts and swelling and even cause broken, loosened and displaced teeth.

Regardless of the cause of the injury, pain is often joined by muscle spasms and inflammation, which can cause the jaw to lock up, freezing it into an open or closed position. This is your body’s attempt to force the jaw to rest and heal.

Signs of Damage

Do you think your jaw may be broken? The symptoms of a broken jaw include:

• pain in the face or jaw at rest or when moving the mouth or chewing
• swelling and bruising in the face
• jaw stiffness
• difficulty moving the jaw
• teeth feeling dislodged
• numbness and tingling of the face
• jaw moving to the side when opening the mouth

The symptoms of a dislocated jaw include:

• pain in the face or jaw
• lower jaw is out of alignment with the upper jaw
• stiffness and difficulty moving the jaw when talking or chewing
• inability to open or close your mouth
• a sudden over- or underbite

If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, you should seek treatment as soon as possible to prevent further damage to your teeth and jaw joints. Call Dr. Buck at 425-361-0826 today to discuss your symptoms.