If you’re new to braces, you may wonder why your jaw hurts. This is a common side effect of wearing braces and the pressure it puts on your teeth. Don’t worry – the pain will disappear once your teeth have adjusted to the braces. In the meantime, there are a few things that you can do to help alleviate discomfort.
How to Alleviate Initial Discomfort
- Eat a soft diet – eat things like mashed potatoes, yogurt, soup, and applesauce
- Cold compress – Apply ice to the area for fifteen minutes at a time, three times a day
- Pain medication – Use over-the-counter pain medication to help with the discomfort
- Gently massage your jaw muscles
- See your orthodontist if the pain persists for more than two weeks
Other Causes of Jaw Pain
While jaw pain is often due to braces, other possible causes exist. If you have jaw pain and do not have braces, you must see your doctor or dentist to rule out any other potential causes.
TMJ disorder is a condition that affects the jaw joint and muscles. Symptoms include pain in the jaw, face, neck, and shoulders, clicking or popping sounds when moving the jaw, and difficulty chewing. Untreated TMJ disorder can lead to severe problems, such as TMJ arthritis.
TMJ Treatment
If you have jaw pain and think you may have TMJ disorder, we can help. Neuromuscular Dentistry is a branch of dentistry specializing in diagnosing and treating TMJ disorders. Our goal is to relieve your pain and help you regain normal jaw function.
We use the latest technology, including jaw tracking and diagnostic imaging, to create a customized treatment plan for each patient.
Contact Us
If you suffer from jaw pain, please contact us today at (425) 329-3142 to schedule an appointment. We can help you get your life back on track.
