The broken jaw can be the result of dysfunction of the temporomandibular joints, which make the link between the jaw and skeleton and allow the person to speak, chew and yawn, for example.
This can happen in people who are used to chewing gum, biting their nails, squeezing their jaws or biting their lip and cheek, for example, because they are habits that cause joint wear.
- However.
- Jaw cracking can be caused by more serious problems.
- Such as bruxism.
- Osteoarthritis.
- Or oral infection.
- For example.
- If jaw cracking is accompanied by pain.
- You should consult your doctor as soon as possible.
- As this may be due to a more serious health problem.
Bruxism is the unconscious act of squeezing or grinding teeth during sleep or even on a day-to-day life.This disorder can be caused by stress, anxiety, the use of certain antidepressant medications and breathing problems, such as snoring or sleep apnea.
What to do: Bruxism has no cure, but it can be treated, to relieve pain and keep teeth in good condition, for this you can use a dental plaque at night and, in more severe cases, your doctor may recommend the use of muscle and anxiolytic relaxing medications for a short period of time.
Learn more about symptoms and treatment
Arthritis is a disease that can damage the cartilage of the temporomandibular joint and, this loss of cartilage, can prevent the movements of the jaw from developing correctly.
What to do: Arthritis is incurable, but it can be treated with medicine, physical therapy, and in some cases, surgery. Learn more about the most common symptoms and treatment of arthritis.
In the event of a jaw injury, such as a severe blow, car accident, or fall, for example, bone rupture or jaw dislocation may occur, which can cause other symptoms such as swelling, bleeding, numbness in the area, or bruising..
What to do: Treatment of jaw injuries can vary considerably, as it depends on the type of injury that has occurred.Know what it is and how to treat the disused jaw.
Dental malocclusion is characterized by a change in the binding mechanism of the upper and lower teeth, when the mouth is closed, which can damage teeth, gums, bones, muscles and joints; when dental malocclusion is very severe, it is necessary to perform treatment at the dentist.
What to do: Treatment often involves using braces to align your teeth and, in more severe cases, surgery may be needed.Learn more about dental malocclusion and how treatment is done.
Salivary gland infections can also cause temporomandibular joint dysfunction, jaw pain and creaking, and other symptoms such as difficulty opening the mouth, pus in the mouth, pain in the area, poor taste of the mouth and swelling of the face and neck.
What to do: In case of infection, antibiotics and painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs are often prescribed.
Although this is very rare, jaw cracking can be the result of cancer in areas of the mouth, such as the lips, tongue, cheeks, gums, or surrounding areas, which can interfere with jaw movement.
Generally, when the cause of jaw cracking is cancer, other symptoms may occur, such as swelling of the area, loss of teeth or difficulty using dentures, presence of growing mass in the mouth, swelling of the neck and marked weight loss..
What to do: Treatment of oral cancer depends a lot on the area where it is present and the extent of the tumor, so it is very important to see your doctor as soon as the first symptoms appear.
Treatment usually involves solving the cause of the problem, however, there are general measures that can help relieve pain and stop cracks in the jaw.
For example, to improve symptoms, you can apply ice on site, take painkillers, anti-inflammatory and muscle relaxants, use a dental plaque, and prefer milder foods, during the period when you feel your jaw break.
In some cases, your doctor may even recommend the use of dental equipment and physical therapy.