Seeking relief from pain can become the main priority for those experiencing it. While this focus is understandable, it’s essential to consider the underlying cause of your pain. Understanding the foundation of the pain can make it easier to seek meaningful, lasting relief. Elite Dental Group helps patients experiencing orofacial pain discover the underlying cause. Once identified, an effective treatment plan will be created in cooperation with the patient.
What Is Orofacial Pain?
Pain that occurs in the mouth, jaw and other areas of the face is known as orofacial pain. Toothaches, infection, and other oral health concerns were revealed to be responsible for 95% of cases of orofacial pain in a study by the University of Florida Health. It’s essential to identify the underlying cause of the pain so that proper treatments can be determined. It can also help to prevent the condition from getting worse and avoid associated concerns.
Common Sources of Orofacial Pain Include:
- Odontogenic Pain – Pain resulting from dental issues, especially teeth
- Musculoskeletal Pain – Pain originating in tendons, nerves, bones, muscles, or ligaments.
- Vascular Pain – Pain caused by circulatory issues or blood vessels.
- Neuropathic Pain – Pain caused by disease, dysfunction, or damage to the nervous system.
- Referred Pain – Pain originating in other areas, such as headaches, nose, ears, or throat pain.
- Pain from surgical procedures
- Pain caused by comorbid medical conditions
Of these sources, oral health concerns rank top of the list. Pain from these sources includes pain from the teeth or gums and the temporomandibular joint.
The duration and severity of orofacial pain vary significantly based on the underlying condition. The complexity of the sensory functions, nervous system, and the brain creates numerous possible manifestations of pain. Pain may be short-lived, recurring, or ongoing. It can resolve itself on its own or require significant care to address the underlying cause.
The following are types of oral pain:
- Temperature Sensitivity – Caused by gum disease, tooth decay, infection, or even certain dental treatments like teeth whitening.
- Sharp Chewing Pain – This signifies infection, decay, or dental trauma.
- Persistent Pain – Resulting from injury, infection, or decay.
- Dull Aches – Common with sinus headaches, bruxism, and other conditions.
Speaking to the team at Elite Dental Group can get you started on the road to finding the source of your pain. We’ll work with you to find effective means of getting relief from your pain by treating the underlying cause.
Temporomandibular Joint Pain
As one of the more prominent sources of orofacial pain, it’s important to address Temporomandibular Disorder or TMD. This complex joint is prone to developing pain as the result of numerous conditions. Some symptoms that may show that you’re experiencing TMD include:
- Orofacial pain
- Limited jaw movement when speaking or eating
- Jaw sticking when opening or closing
- Face fatigue
- Popping or clicking sounds
If you’re experiencing symptoms like these, it’s time to reach out to our team here at Elite Dental Group.
We’re Ready To Receive You
Orofacial pain can seriously impact our ability to enjoy our day-to-day life and perform effectively in it. If you find that you’re life is being impacted by this condition, reach out to our Poughkeepsie, NY office to schedule an appointment.
