110 What is a Jaw Infection and What Does It Feel Like
What is a Jaw Infection and What Does It Feel Like?
If you start experiencing jaw pain, you are going to want to look into what is causing it. For some, it may be grinding and clenching of the teeth at night due to stress. For others, it can be something as serious as a jaw infection.
What is a Jaw Infection?
A jaw infection is an ailment caused by the infection of a tooth that spreads downward into the jawbone. While this is a severe infection, it doesn’t start that way. Instead, it starts with a cavity. From there, the decay and infection will grow if it isn’t treated. Eventually, the infection will reach your jawbone.
What Are the Symptoms of Jaw Infection?
Some of the symptoms to look out for to see if your jawbone is infected include:
* Swelling
* Pain in the mouth or jaw
* Redness
* Drainage of pus
If you are experiencing some or all of these symptoms, you need to set an appointment with your dentist for as soon as possible. Don’t wait for your next cleaning and checkup. A jaw infection is extremely serious and needs to be addressed immediately to stop the progression of the infection.
Other Issues That Cause Jaw Pain
If you are experiencing jaw pain, you shouldn’t immediately jump to the conclusion that you have a jaw infection. Some other reasons for jaw pain include:
* Injury
* Stress
* Poor jaw alignment
* And more
Some of the reasons for jaw pain can be addressed at home. If you have jaw pain due to bruxism, you can decrease your stress levels and get a mouthguard. For other treatments, you’ll need to see the dentist.
How to Avoid Jaw Pain
There are a few ways that you can avoid jaw pain, to begin with. Some things you can do to avoid jaw pain include:
* Visiting your dentist often. One of the best things you can do to ensure your ongoing oral health is to visit your dentist every six months for a checkup and cleaning. It is during your checkup that your dentist will be able to recognize the signs of decay and infection. They can then address the issue early on and stop the infection from spreading. Don’t wait until you develop an infection to see the dentist. Schedule an appointment today if you don’t have one in the books.
* Wearing a mouthguard at night. If your jaw pain is due to bruxism, wearing a mouthguard at night can help a lot with addressing your jaw pain. Purchase a mouthguard and be sure to wear it every night.
* Lowering your stress levels. Another thing you can do to treat jaw pain related to bruxism is lower your levels of stress. Consider meditation, mindfulness practices, self-care, and even therapy.
Contact Your Dentist
If you are experiencing jaw pain, contact your dentist today and schedule an appointment so they can take a look. They will be able to determine the root cause of the jaw pain and address it.