Jaw Pain Symptoms
Symptom Checker: Symptoms & Signs Index
Medical Author: Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD
The jaw joint, medically referred to as the temporomandibular joint or TMJ, is made up of the bone below the mouth (the mandible, commonly referred to as the jawbone) and the bone just above the mouth (the maxilla). The TMJ allows the upper jaw to close on the lower jaw and is one of the most frequently used joints of the body.
The temporomandibular joints are complex structures containing muscles, tendons, and bones. Injury to or disorders of these structures can all result in pain in the jaw area. Additionally, other medical conditions not related to the TMJ may cause perceived pain in the jaw area. One of the most characteristic of these is the pain associated with coronary artery disease or heart attack, which typically occurs in the chest but can radiate (spread) to the jaw area.
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REFERENCE:
Fauci, Anthony S., et al. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. 17th ed. United States: McGraw-Hill Professional, 2008.
Causes of Jaw Pain
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Abscessed Tooth Absecessed tooth is a painful infection at the root of a tooth or between the gum and a tooth, most commonly caused by severe...learn more »In This ArticleAbscessed Tooth Article- What is an abscessed tooth?
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Angina Angina is chest pain that is due to an inadequate supply of oxygen to the heart muscle. Angina can be caused by coronary artery...learn more »In This ArticleAngina Article- Angina facts
- Introduction to angina
- What is angina and what are the symptoms of angina?
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- What are other causes of chest pain?
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Arthritis Arthritis is inflammation of one or more joints. When joints are inflamed they can develop stiffness, warmth, swelling, redness...learn more »In This ArticleArthritis Article- Arthritis facts
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- What are the prognosis (outlook) for arthritis, and what are arthritis complications?
- Can arthritis be prevented?
- What is the national financial impact of arthritis?
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Bone Fracture (Broken Bone) Fractures occur when bone cannot withstand the outside forces applied to the bone. Fractures can be open or closed. Types of...learn more »In This ArticleBone Fracture (Broken Bone) Article- Bone fracture facts
- Introduction and definition of bone fracture
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Cluster Headaches The term cluster headache is a type of headache that recurs over a period of time. There are episodes that last one to three...learn more »In This ArticleCluster Headaches Article- Cluster headache introduction
- Who gets cluster headaches?
- What causes cluster headaches?
- What triggers cluster headaches?
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- Can the onset of a cluster headache be predicted?
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Cysts Cysts are saclike structures that can occur throughout the body and usually contain a semisolid, liquid, or gaseous substance....learn more »In This ArticleCysts Article- What is a cyst?
- What are the causes of a cyst?
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- Cysts At A Glance
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Ear Infection (Otitis Media) Middle ear infection or inflammation (otitis media) is inflammation fo the middle ear. There are two types of otitis media, acute...learn more »In This ArticleEar Infection (Otitis Media) Article- Otitis media (ear infection or inflammation) facts
- What is otitis media?
- What are the symptoms of acute middle ear infection?
- "Are ear infections contagious?
- How common is acute otitis media?
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- What microorganisms cause otitis media?
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- What are the risk factors for acute middle ear infection or inflammation?
- How is otitis media diagnosed?
- How is acute middle ear infection or inflammation treated?
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- What causes chronic middle ear infection or inflammation?
- What happens to the eardrum in chronic middle ear infection or inflammation?
- What happens to the eardrum if a hole develops in the eardrum?
- How is chronic middle ear infection or inflammation treated?
- What are the goals of otitis media surgery?
- What is serious middle ear infection or inflammation?
- What limitations are there on a child with middle ear infection or inflammation?
- Can otitis media (middle ear infection or inflammation) be prevented?
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Heart Attack Heart attack happens when a blood clot completely obstructs a coronary artery supplying blood to the heart muscle. A heart...learn more »In This ArticleHeart Attack Article- Heart attack facts
- What is a heart attack?
- What causes a heart attack?
- What are the symptoms of a heart attack?
- What are the complications of a heart attack?
- What are the risk factors for atherosclerosis and heart attack?
- How is a heart attack diagnosed?
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- What about heart attacks in women?
- What are the risk factors for heart attack in women?
- What are the symptoms of heart attack in women and how is heart attack diagnosed?
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- What about hormone therapy and heart attack in women?
- What is new in heart attack?
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Migraine Migraine is usually periodic attacks of headaches on one or both sides of the head. These may be accompanied by nausea, vomiting,...learn more »In This ArticleMigraine Article- What is a migraine headache?
- What are the symptoms of migraine headaches?
- What are some of the variants of migraine headaches?
- How is a migraine headache diagnosed?
- How are migraine headaches treated?
- What is the treatment for moderate to severe migraine headaches?
- What other medications are used for treating migraine headaches?
- How are migraine headaches prevented?
- What are migraine triggers?
- What should migraine sufferers do?
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- Conclusions
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Sinus Infection Sinus infection (sinusitis) signs and symptoms include headache, fever, and facial tenderness, pressure, or pain. Treatments of...learn more »In This ArticleSinus Infection Article- Sinus infection facts
- What is a sinus?
- What is a sinus infection?
- What causes sinus infections?
- What are the types of sinusitis?
- What are the signs and symptoms of sinus infection?
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- Can sinus infection be prevented?
- Related sinus infection article:
Sinus infection - on eMedicineHealth
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Stress Stress occurs when forces from the outside world impinge on the individual. Stress is a normal part of life. However,...learn more »In This ArticleStress Article- What is stress?
- A brief history of stress
- What are the signs and symptoms of poorly managed stress?
- Who is most vulnerable to stress?
- Teen stress
- What is the healthy response to stress?
- How does the response to stress work?
- What is the role of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis (grouping) in stress?
- What is the role of the locus coeruleus in stress?
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- What do we know about using (activating) and overusing our internal systems that respond to stress?
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- What's in the future for stress?
- Stress At A Glance
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Swimmer's Ear Swimmer's ear (external otitis) is an infection of the skin that covers the outer ear canal. Causes of swimmer's ear include...learn more »In This ArticleSwimmer's Ear Article- Swimmer's ear facts
- What is "swimmer's ear" infection or acute external otitis?
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Teeth Grinding (Bruxism) Bruxism is the medical term for teeth grinding. Bruxism may be caused by stress or anxiety and often happens during sleep....learn more »In This ArticleTeeth Grinding (Bruxism) Article- What causes people to grind their teeth?
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Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ) Temporomandibular joint disorder, or TMJ, is a disorder of the temporomandibular joint(s) that causes signs and symptoms...learn more »In This ArticleTemporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ) Article- Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders facts
- What is the temporomandibular joint?
- What are TMJ disorders, and what are causes of TMJ disorders?
- What are common TMJ symptoms?
- How are patients evaluated and diagnosed when TMJ problems are suspected?
- What is the treatment for TMJ disorders?
- What is the prognosis (outlook) of TMJ disorder?
- Can TMJ problems be prevented?
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Toothache Toothache usually refers to pain around the teeth or jaws. In most instances, toothaches are caused by tooth or jaw problems,...learn more »In This ArticleToothache Article- Toothache facts
- What is a toothache?
- What are dental causes of toothaches and how are they treated?
- Dental cavities and dental abscesses
- Gum disease
- Tooth root sensitivities
- Cracked tooth syndrome
- Temporalmandibular joint (TMJ) disorders
- Impaction and eruption
- What are non-dental causes of toothaches?
- How is toothache during pregnancy managed?
- Are home remedies effective for toothaches?
- Can toothaches be prevented?
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Trigeminal Neuralgia Pain that originates in the face is referred to as trigeminal neuralgia. This pain may be caused by an injury, and infection in...learn more »In This ArticleTrigeminal Neuralgia Article- Introduction to trigeminal neuralgia
- What is trigeminal neuralgia?
- What causes trigeminal neuralgia?
- What are the symptoms of trigeminal neuralgia?
- How is trigeminal neuralgia diagnosed?
- How is trigeminal neuralgia treated?
Other Causes of Jaw Pain
- Dislocation
- Infection/Abscess
- Misalignment of Teeth
- Myofascial Pain Syndrome
- Postural Factors (Such as Holding a Telephone Between the Ear and Shoulder)
- Trauma/Bruising
- Tumor
Examples of Medications for Jaw Pain
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