Star Gazer Posted January 20, 2007 Share Posted January 20, 2007 I have an excruciating pain that is going from the bottom of my right jaw in the very back towards my ear/far cheek area. It hurts more when I bite down, that's what makes me think it's a toothache/cavity/who-knows-what, but it hurts just as bad when I open my mouth making me think it's jaw-related. Anyone have any idea? Link to post Share on other sites
westernxer Posted January 20, 2007 Share Posted January 20, 2007 Do you feel a painful click? If so, it's probably TMJ. Rest your jaw and take some sort of anti-inflammatory. Then see a dentist if it persists. Link to post Share on other sites
Author Star Gazer Posted January 20, 2007 Author Share Posted January 20, 2007 The click isn't painful, but there's a iiiiiiity bitty little click/pop sound. What's an example of an anti-inflammatory? Advil? Link to post Share on other sites
Storyrider Posted January 20, 2007 Share Posted January 20, 2007 You very likely have a sinus infection. That would be my first guess. Have you had a cold recently? Link to post Share on other sites
Author Star Gazer Posted January 20, 2007 Author Share Posted January 20, 2007 Yes! I'm actually just got over one - was sick for over a week, today's the first day I'm at 99%! Actually, it's interesting you say that... I've noticed that if I cry really hard (it's not often, don't worry - haha!) and therefore get all stuffed up and whatnot that my jaw hurts like he!! the next day. I always thought it was stress-related, but is jaw pain often related to congested sinuses?? Link to post Share on other sites
ShoeGirl Posted January 20, 2007 Share Posted January 20, 2007 The click isn't painful, but there's a iiiiiiity bitty little click/pop sound. What's an example of an anti-inflammatory? Advil? Advil is an anti-inflammatory but Aleve (Naproxen Sodium) is a better one Hope you feel better soon:) Most likely if is is a sinus infection you would feel pressure more that normal on the bones under your eyes... Link to post Share on other sites
Storyrider Posted January 20, 2007 Share Posted January 20, 2007 Yes! I'm actually just got over one - was sick for over a week, today's the first day I'm at 99%! Actually, it's interesting you say that... I've noticed that if I cry really hard (it's not often, don't worry - haha!) and therefore get all stuffed up and whatnot that my jaw hurts like he!! the next day. I always thought it was stress-related, but is jaw pain often related to congested sinuses?? Yes. A sinus infection is easily mistaken for a tooth ache. If you've had it for a while it could be bacterial, in which case you should see your doctor for a round of antibiotics. If viral, they will just give you a prescription for something to thin your mucous. If this is the problem, an anti-inflamatory will only treat the symptoms. Hope you feel better Stargazer! Link to post Share on other sites
sb129 Posted January 20, 2007 Share Posted January 20, 2007 A sinus infection usually only mimics toothache in the upper jaw. How old are you? It could be pericoronitis, which is inflammation of the gum tissue surrounding the lower third molar (wisdom tooth). Reason I ask about your age is this only really happens in people in their late teens early twenties as thats when the third molars erupt. If it IS pericoronitis, keeping the area as clean as possible with either a hot salt water or antibacterial mouthwash is important. You may need a short course of antibiotics and possibly the tooth extracting in future if it recurs. If it is hurting when you bite down, that may be because your TOP tooth is traumatising the inflamed gum around the lower tooth. Sometimes the easiest way to fix that is to extract the top tooth (as it is easier to extract than the bottom one) and allow the gum to heal that way. TMJ pain is usually worse in the morning, and not always accompanied by clicks and pops. Or it could be good old fashioned toothache, which can lead to an abscess under a tooth, which can be painful when you bite on it. Either way, anti-inflammatories such as ibuprofen or naproxen are good for this kind of pain, and you need to see a dentist ASAP. (even tho you have just had free advice from one on this post - the others all talked some sense too.) Hope its OK stargazer.. Link to post Share on other sites
2sunny Posted January 20, 2007 Share Posted January 20, 2007 i do somewhat agree with sb... you would only have pain in the UPPER jaw with a sinus infection... to me it sounds like you may need a root canal... and antibiotics to kill the infection. i think if the pain persists - you should see your dentist. if they take an xray of the area - they will be able to see if there is an infection going on.... Link to post Share on other sites
sb129 Posted January 21, 2007 Share Posted January 21, 2007 Somewhat agree?? i don't want to offend, but I really do know what I am talking about. I have been a dentist for over 6 years... And I can't SEE Stargazer... but from experience it sounds like it could be one of the things I mentioned. stargazer may need a root canal, but if he/she has problems opening his/her mouth, the chance of a root canal succeeding are lessened. And antibiotics don't deal with the source of the infection. Link to post Share on other sites
2sunny Posted January 21, 2007 Share Posted January 21, 2007 Somewhat agree?? i don't want to offend, but I really do know what I am talking about. I have been a dentist for over 6 years... And I can't SEE Stargazer... but from experience it sounds like it could be one of the things I mentioned. stargazer may need a root canal, but if he/she has problems opening his/her mouth, the chance of a root canal succeeding are lessened. And antibiotics don't deal with the source of the infection. did you read my post? i never said it was definitely one or the other... but i did say an xray would be helpful... and i never ruled other things out. and yes, i do know what i'm talking about as well... Link to post Share on other sites
sb129 Posted January 21, 2007 Share Posted January 21, 2007 Bottom line is Stargazer- you need to see a dentist. Even if this pain just goes away of its own accord, the source of the pain needs to be dealt with otherwise it may cause you problems in the future. And here on LS, we can all only speculate without being able to see you or do the appropriate examination/ radiographs. Which is impossible cos we live in different countries. Good luck. Link to post Share on other sites
sb129 Posted January 21, 2007 Share Posted January 21, 2007 did you read my post? i never said it was definitely one or the other... but i did say an xray would be helpful... and i never ruled other things out. and yes, i do know what i'm talking about as well... Yes I read your post. Have you read my next one? I backed mine up with admitting my profession, which is more than you have done!!! So much for anonymity... Great that you know what you are talking about. Is this one professional to another then? If so, Stargazer is getting alot of good advice for free.. Link to post Share on other sites
2sunny Posted January 21, 2007 Share Posted January 21, 2007 let's just say i've been involved in your field for many a years... Link to post Share on other sites
sb129 Posted January 21, 2007 Share Posted January 21, 2007 My field? I don't hold the monopoly on dentistry. Is it not your field too then? Its not really a spectator sport... Link to post Share on other sites
sb129 Posted January 21, 2007 Share Posted January 21, 2007 Stargazer, ignore that. Just a little bickering between colleagues... Link to post Share on other sites
magichands Posted January 21, 2007 Share Posted January 21, 2007 Just a little bickering between colleagues... That was hot. Link to post Share on other sites
sb129 Posted January 21, 2007 Share Posted January 21, 2007 That was hot. ??? What you on about now MH? Link to post Share on other sites
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