{"id":159,"date":"2018-01-15T02:01:48","date_gmt":"2018-01-15T02:01:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.prestonbenddental.com\/blog\/?p=159"},"modified":"2018-01-31T02:05:38","modified_gmt":"2018-01-31T02:05:38","slug":"jaw-pain","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.prestonbenddental.com\/blog\/2018\/01\/15\/jaw-pain\/","title":{"rendered":"Jaw Pain and Orofacial Discomfort \u2014 How They Relate to Oral Health"},"content":{"rendered":"\"manYou know that persistent ache in your jaw that bugs you all day long? It might be because of TMJ disorder, or maybe you just took a hard hit during your company soccer game. Either way, that jaw pain falls under the definition of \u201corofacial pain.\u201d What exactly does this term mean, what causes it, and how can you find relief? Let\u2019s talk about this important and fascinating subject.\r\n\r\n\r\n

Understanding Orofacial Pain<\/h2>\r\nThe term \u201corofacial pain\u201d is a general phrase for any pain that you feel in your mouth, jaw, or face. It\u2019s easy to remember what it means when you break it down: \u201coro\u201d for your mouth, and \u201cfacial\u201d for your face.\r\n\r\nOkay, now that we\u2019ve had a quick vocab lesson, let\u2019s get into the science behind orofacial pain. Researchers at a dental school in Oregon recently dove into this type of discomfort and made an amazing discovery. When you suffer harm to your face or mouth, there is a dramatic increase in the production of a specific protein. The protein<\/a> sends signals to your pain, and your brain responds to that signal by causing you pain. That\u2019s how you know that something is amiss.\r\n\r\nThis groundbreaking research could potentially lead to new ways for dentists and doctors to treat their patients\u2019 orofacial pain.\r\n

Common Causes of Orofacial Pain<\/h2>\r\nWe mentioned at the outset of this post that TMJ disorder is a potential culprit behind orofacial pain. However, that is just the tip of the iceberg. There are countless potential causes behind pain in your face and jaw, and in an estimated 95 percent of cases, oral health issues play a role in the agony. Some dental problems that might cause you pain include:\r\n