What causes jaw pain in children and how to treat it

Does your child grind his teeth? Or does he have an ear infection? These problems can cause jaw pain in children. When a child has jaw pain, he may have difficulty chewing, or even pain in the face and neck, difficulty opening and closing the mouth, etc. Take your child to the dentist as soon as possible to receive treatment and relieve pain.

Causes of jaw pain in children

The jaw joint is lower than the mandible and higher than the maxilla, causing the two to be too close together. Any damage to the joint or the chewing muscles can cause jaw pain, which can occur on one or both sides.

Significant causes of jaw pain in children include teeth grinding or clenching, sinus or ear infections, headaches, facial neuralgia, stress, osteoarthritis, etc.

Jaw pain symptoms in children

Although jaw pain is the most obvious symptom, other symptoms include difficulty chewing, a popping sensation, pain in the neck or face, difficulty opening and closing the mouth, and difficulty keeping the jaw straight.

How to treat jaw pain in children

Diagnosing jaw pain: If your child has any of the above symptoms, you should take him to the dentist immediately. The dentist will diagnose the cause of your child's pain and use X-rays, C-scans, and MRIs to diagnose and treat jaw pain.

Take medication: Your child's doctor may recommend anti-inflammatory medications to help your child relax his jaw and reduce muscle pain and swelling. Your doctor may also prescribe muscle relaxants or low-dose antidepressants to reduce pain.

Splinting: The dentist may recommend that your child use a stable splint or an articulator. An articulator is an oral device that acts like a cap on the teeth to prevent grinding or clenching of the teeth during sleep.

Apply heat and ice: Apply ice to the painful area for 10 minutes, then have your child do some jaw stretching exercises. Then apply a warm washcloth to the jaw area for 5 minutes. Alternating this several times a day can reduce jaw pain and pressure.

Jaw relaxation exercises: Your child's doctor may recommend that he or she try relaxation exercises to loosen up tense jaw muscles and make them more relaxed and flexible. Stress relief therapy may also help relieve jaw pain in children.

Avoid extreme exercises: When your child has jaw pain, instruct him to avoid extreme jaw exercises, such as yawning too loudly or chewing gum. Extreme jaw exercises can make jaw pain worse. Also, provide soft foods for your baby to eat.