Trouble Eating or Difficulty Chewing
If you have recently noticed you have trouble eating or difficulty chewing, there are many possible explanations for your discomfort. Trouble with eating or chewing is often accompanied by other symptoms that can help a dentist determine the possible cause. If you have trouble eating or chewing you should contact your dentist or medical professional to help you identify the cause and determine the right course for treatment. Below is more information to get you started on treating your discomfort.
Possible Causes of Pain with Eating and Chewing
If you have recently experienced pain with eating or chewing, there are many possible causes to consider, including:
- Osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis in the jaw muscle
- The unconscious effect of tooth grinding or clenching
- Dry mouth
- Gum disease and tooth decay
- Infections in the mouth
- Hidden damage in one or more teeth or the gums
Related Symptoms Can Help Identify the Problem
Because there are so many possible causes of discomfort with eating and chewing, it can be difficult to determine the cause of your pain. Fortunately, other symptoms often accompany chewing difficulties, and these can be used to help your doctor or dentist determine the cause of your discomfort. For example, a strange or bad taste in the mouth is a common sign of a developing dental condition that you may notice with your issues chewing. Earaches, tenderness in the jaw, or headaches are all additional symptoms that often occur with pain or discomfort while chewing that may require other treatment. A more serious symptom that is common with chewing is rapid or unexpected weight loss. In the most severe cases, individuals with chewing difficulty may also have trouble with swallowing, which calls for immediate medical attention.
What to Do If You Have Pain When You Chew
If you have difficulty or pain when chewing, especially if you notice you also have trouble swallowing, you should contact a medical professional immediately. Although there are many non-serious potential causes for difficulty chewing, a visit with a medical professional is important to rule out the more serious underlying causes. Your doctor or dentist will perform a gastrointestinal system exam and look for any potential neuromuscular disorders. X-rays may also be required or use of other radioactive dyes to help identify the source of the problem. If you visit your dentist, they will conduct a comprehensive dental exam and look for oral infections, alignment issues, or latent damage in the teeth. Depending on what they identify to be the underlying cause, your medical professional may choose to refer you to a speech pathologist or occupational therapist as a part of your treatment plan. Until you have an answer and your issues with chewing and eating are resolved, you can focus on minimizing your day to day discomfort at home by sticking to soft foods and drinking plenty of fluids. You should also do your best to maintain a nutritional well-balanced diet and supplement your diet with protein shakes or medication as prescribed by your dentist or primary care doctor.