Jaw pain: when to see a dentist and when to go to the emergency room
Much jaw pain can be managed by adjusting daily habits and reversible treatment, but some is a sign of a condition that needs care without delay. In Korea, the National Health Information Portal advises that angina discomfort can appear in the jaw, and that infection should be suspected if trouble opening the mouth continues 3 days after wisdom tooth removal. Knowing the criteria for when to go to the emergency room and when to go to the dentist helps you avoid missing the time to get care.
Key facts
| Angina signal | Discomfort may come in the shoulder, arm, neck, back, upper abdomen or jaw; call 119 right away if suspected (source: KDCA National Health Information Portal) |
|---|---|
| First symptom of tetanus | Starts with trouble opening the mouth, incubation period 3 to 21 days (source: KDCA Immunization Helper) |
| Suspected infection after wisdom tooth removal | When pain and swelling increase or trouble opening the mouth continues after 3 days (source: KDCA National Health Information Portal) |
| Long-lasting jaw pain | Significant pain of 6 months or more is checked for psychological and behavioral factors as well (source: KDCA National Health Information Portal) |
| Discussing irreversible treatment | Consult an oral and maxillofacial surgeon who specializes in the jaw joint (source: National Health Insurance Service (NHIS, 국민건강보험공단)) |
Which jaw pain needs emergency care right away?
In the cases below, do not wait for a dental appointment; go to the emergency room or call 119. The symptoms that come with the jaw pain point to a more dangerous condition than the jaw pain itself.
The National Health Information Portal explains that angina discomfort is mainly felt in the chest near the pit of the stomach but can also be felt in the shoulder, arm, neck, back, upper abdomen and jaw, and that if angina symptoms are suspected you must call 119 for help right away. The KDCA Immunization Helper explains that tetanus starts with the inability to open the mouth from contraction of the chewing muscles.
- The jaw or neck feels tight along with chest tightness, cold sweats or shortness of breath
- The jaw stiffens after a wound, the neck is stiff and swallowing is difficult
- The area under the jaw and the neck are greatly swollen, making breathing or swallowing saliva hard
- After a hard blow to the jaw, the mouth will not close or the bite suddenly changes
When should I see a dentist soon?
These are cases that are not emergencies but where it is best not to put off care. If the cause is an infection or a tooth problem, the later treatment is, the wider the scope of treatment can become, so if you have the symptoms below, see a dentist at the nearest available day. If infection is suspected, also tell them how fast the swelling is spreading and whether you have a fever.
- Swelling and pain increase 3 days after wisdom tooth removal, or opening the mouth stays difficult
- The gum around a wisdom tooth is swollen, you have a fever and the mouth opens less
- A particular tooth throbs or twinges when chewing along with jaw pain
- The mouth suddenly catches and does not open as wide as usual
- Jaw pain makes eating or sleeping difficult
Which jaw pain can I plan to get checked at a slower pace?
An occasional jaw sound, or mild jaw stiffness that occurs only on tired days, can be watched while you adjust daily habits. The National Health Information Portal explains that TMD is often self-limiting and symptoms come and go.
However, if the same symptoms keep recurring for more than a few weeks or become more frequent, have the cause checked at the dentist. The National Health Information Portal takes significant pain of 6 months or more and repeated treatment failure as the criteria for looking into psychological and behavioral factors, so the longer the jaw pain has lasted, the more comprehensive assessment is needed.
Even while symptoms are mild, it is good to briefly record when it hurt, what you ate that day and how you slept. When care becomes necessary later, you can describe the course of the jaw pain accurately.
Which department should I go to for jaw pain?
TMD is treated at the dentist, and among dental specialties, oral medicine and oral and maxillofacial surgery mainly handle jaw joint disease. NHIS material advises that at the stage of considering irreversible treatments such as occlusal adjustment, joint lavage, arthroscopy and surgery, you must hear the opinion of an oral and maxillofacial surgeon who specializes in the jaw joint.
If ear pain or tinnitus also comes with it, an ENT visit, if headache is the main symptom, neurology, and if neck and shoulder pain is severe, rehabilitation medicine may be needed together. Bringing test results received in other departments to the dental visit is used to narrow down the cause of the jaw pain.
What should I prepare before getting care for jaw pain?
The National Health Information Portal explains that the history for TMD asks when the pain began, its location and intensity, how long it lasts, what worsens or relieves it, and the results of previous treatment. The same material advises that general medical history such as arthritis, trauma, medicines taken and allergies, and past dental treatment, are also checked. Making notes of the items below lets you convey the necessary information without omission even in a short visit.
- The date and trigger when the jaw pain began
- The location and severity of the pain, and the time of day it is worst
- Movements that make the pain worse and what makes it better
- Medicines you take and conditions you have
- What family members said about hearing you grind your teeth, and recent stress
Common myths and facts
Myth: Jaw pain will all go away on its own if you just put up with it.
The National Health Information Portal explains that a self-limiting course is common but long-term follow-up data are limited. According to Seoul National University Hospital's medical information, untreated TMD can lead to long-lasting limited mouth opening, or to degenerative changes in the joint bone along with malocclusion or facial asymmetry.
Myth: You can just get by on painkillers without an exam.
The National Health Information Portal explains that medication for TMD is prescribed after an accurate diagnosis. Getting by on painkillers can cause you to miss other causes such as infection or angina.
Frequently asked questions
Is it okay to go to the emergency room for jaw pain?
Go to the emergency room if chest tightness or shortness of breath comes with it, the jaw stiffens after a wound, or the face and neck are so swollen that breathing is hard. If only the jaw hurts without such accompanying symptoms, getting dental care during clinic hours is the usual course. When it is hard to judge whether it is an emergency signal, it is safer to choose emergency care than to hesitate.
What should I do if my jaw suddenly hurts on a weekend or at night?
If there are no emergency signals, avoid hard foods, do not open your mouth wide, rest the jaw, and then see a dentist at the nearest available day. If swelling and fever quickly worsen or the mouth barely opens, consider emergency care. If the pain was so severe overnight that sleep was hard, be sure to mention that at the next visit.
What tests are done when I see a dentist for jaw pain?
The dentist measures the range of mouth opening and side-to-side movement, presses the jaw joint and chewing muscles to find the sore spot, and listens to the joint sounds. If the state of the bone and articular disc needs to be seen, imaging may be added, and for long-lasting pain, stress and sleep are also asked about.
How much does jaw care cost?
The cost varies with the exam, the tests and the type of treatment, so it is hard to state a fixed amount. For items such as the occlusal splint that are listed in the NHIS non-covered services information, prices may differ by clinic, so ask for the cost of each item before treatment starts. Also check whether adjustments after the device is made cost extra.
What if I don't get better even with jaw treatment?
The National Health Information Portal treats repeated treatment failure as a signal to check psychological and behavioral factors. If there is no response to treatment, recheck the diagnosis, look at lifestyle factors and other causes together, and if needed ask for a referral to a medical institution that specializes in the jaw joint. Bringing a summary of the treatment you have had and its effect helps avoid repeating the same treatment at the next visit.