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Find the source
The dentist checks how the jaw moves, feels the joint and takes X-rays. A panoramic image shows fractures, the joint and any infected tooth in one view.
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Jaw Pain or Jaw Injury: When It Is an Emergency and What To Do Right Now
Jaw pain can come from a blow, a clenching habit, an infected tooth or a strained joint. Some causes can wait a day. A jaw that will not close, or one hurt in an accident, cannot.
1-855-219-4656 Is jaw pain an emergency?
Sometimes. If your jaw was struck and now looks crooked, will not close, or the teeth no longer meet the way they used to, treat it as a fracture and go to the nearest emergency room. Go to the ER immediately if you have any trouble breathing or swallowing, or bleeding that will not stop. For jaw pain without a major injury, such as aching near the ear, clicking, or pain that started with a bad tooth, call 1-855-219-4656 and a same-day dentist will find the cause.
Most jaw pain that walks through the door turns out to be a tooth or a tired joint rather than a break. The exam and X-ray settle it in about twenty minutes, and if the cause is dental, treatment starts in the same chair. If the jaw is fractured, the dentist will stabilize it and send you to a surgeon who can set it.
Signs that need urgent attention
- The bite feels wrong, the teeth do not line up or the jaw sits off to one side
- The mouth will not open or close fully, or locks in one position
- Numbness in the lower lip or chin after a blow to the face
- Swelling or bruising along the jawline, under the ear or under the chin
- Clicking or grinding in front of the ear with pain when chewing
- Pain that spreads from a sore tooth into the jaw and ear
Numbness in the lip or chin after an impact is a strong sign of a lower jaw fracture, because the nerve runs through the bone. Do not test the jaw by trying to chew. Keep it still and get it X-rayed.
What to do tonight, before you are seen
| Do | Don't |
|---|---|
| Support the jaw gently with your hand or a soft scarf wrapped under the chin | Do not try to push a displaced jaw back into place yourself |
| Stick to liquids and soft food until you have been examined | Do not chew gum or test the jaw by biting on something hard |
| Apply a cold pack to the sore area for 15 minutes at a time | Do not open wide, yawn forcefully or lie flat if the jaw feels unstable |
| Take acetaminophen or ibuprofen as directed on the label | Do not ignore lip numbness or a changed bite because the pain seems mild |
What happens at the appointment
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Treat what they find
A dental cause gets treated on the spot, for example a root canal or extraction. Joint strain is managed with rest, medication and a night guard. Confirmed fractures are referred to oral surgery.
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Protect it while it heals
You get a soft-food plan, instructions for jaw rest, and a follow-up visit to check the joint or the healing bone.
What a jaw pain visit costs
| Treatment | Without insurance |
|---|---|
| Emergency exam + X-ray | $100–$250 |
| Root canal, if a tooth is the cause | $700–$1,500 |
| Extraction, if the tooth cannot be saved | $150–$400 |
| Surgical extraction of a fractured tooth | $250–$700 |
| Sedation for anxious patients | $50–$300 |
Estimates from partner clinic fee schedules. Your dentist quotes the exact fee before treatment. See the emergency dental cost guide and the no-insurance guide.
Treatments and related guides
Treatments a dentist may use: Emergency oral surgery, Emergency tooth extraction, Sedation for anxious patients.
Jaw Pain or Injury FAQ
Need help right now? Call 1-855-219-4656, free, 24 hours a day.
Is jaw pain an emergency?
It is if the jaw was injured and now looks crooked, will not close, or the lip is numb. Those signs point to a fracture or dislocation and belong in the ER. Jaw pain from a tooth or a strained joint is urgent but can be handled by an emergency dentist the same day.
How can I tell if my jaw is broken?
Common signs are a bite that no longer fits together, a step or gap you can feel along the jawline, bruising under the tongue, numbness in the lower lip, and pain when you try to open. Any of these after a blow means you need an X-ray today.
Can a bad tooth cause jaw pain?
Yes, and it is one of the most common causes. Infection at the root of a molar sends pain along the jaw and up to the ear. Wisdom teeth pushing through do the same. Treating the tooth usually ends the jaw pain.
What is TMJ pain and can a dentist treat it?
The temporomandibular joint sits just in front of each ear. Clenching, grinding, arthritis or an injury can inflame it, causing clicking, aching and a stiff jaw. A dentist can relieve it with a bite guard, medication and advice on resting the joint.
Should I go to the ER or a dentist?
Go to the ER for a suspected fracture, a jaw stuck open, trouble breathing or swallowing, or bleeding you cannot stop. For everything else, an emergency dentist is faster and has the right equipment.
Medically reviewed by Dr. FULL NAME, DDS. Last reviewed . Sources: ADA MouthHealthy, Dental Emergencies, Mayo Clinic, Broken or knocked-out tooth. Editorial policy.
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