Jaw Pain After Tooth Extraction: 4 Major Causes & Their Treatments

It is a common belief that tooth extraction can ease dental pain, no matter how scary the procedure may seem. But that isn’t always the case, especially if the tooth hurts too much or is constantly causing problems. However, the only way to escape the pain for good is to follow a proper aftercare plan. The slightest neglect can lead to severe jaw pain after tooth extraction, making it ten times worse for you to handle.

If you’re in the same boat of pain and misery, let us help you out. In this blog, you will find everything you need to know about the deep ache in your jaw and what might be the cause behind it.

Why Do I Have Persistent Pain in My Jaw After Tooth Extraction?

One of the biggest reasons people face troubles after oral surgery is because of neglect and poor oral hygiene. After every tooth extraction procedure, the dentist gives out a set of instructions that you must follow. Otherwise, it could negatively affect your dental health and cause the following issues, leading to intense jaw pain.

1. Dry Socket
   The most important instruction of all, after a tooth extraction, is to ensure the extraction site does not go dry. Once a blood clot forms on top of it, you are supposed to let it stay as it is until tissues grow on top of it. That is why drinking from straws or using utensils is typically prohibited. If a blood clot slips away, the only way to get it fixed is by heading to your dentist immediately.
2. Oral Infection
   If you fail to take care of your oral hygiene, it can give birth to an oral infection in the form of an abscess. This is typically identified as a tiny swollen pocket of pus that grows on your gums. Food particles that aren’t brushed away can get stuck inside the wisdom tooth hole, giving way to an infection.
3. Sore Muscles
   Tooth extraction can be a lengthy, intrusive procedure. Your jaw is propped open the entire time the dentist works on pulling out the tooth. Because of this, most patients report having sore muscles in their jaw. However, this is not a cause for concern as the ache tends to go away on its own.
4. TMJ Pain
   Sometimes the pain is not due to tooth extraction but a case of underlying TMJ — temporomandibular joint disorder.

How to Get Rid of Jaw Pain After Tooth Extraction?

If you’re dealing with jaw pain, it might already be too late to prevent it from happening. Instead, based on the cause, you can get professional dental treatment to soothe the ache. For instance, in the case of a dry socket, the dentist will thoroughly clean the empty extraction site and then fill it with a special medicated dressing.

On the other, for a dental abscess or infection, you must get the pus pocket drained or risk contaminating the rest of your teeth and gums. Similarly, for jaw pain, your dentist will identify the root cause before prescribing a treatment plan that can help reduce the pain.

Overall, as long as you follow all the instructions given by the dentist and maintain a proper oral hygiene routine, you won’t have to worry about any kind of pain.

Closing Words

In summary, jaw pain after tooth extraction is usually caused by a dry socket, an infection, sore jaw muscles, or TMJ pain. In either case, it is important to consult a dentist immediately to avoid further contamination. For more information, reach out to Smiles on Greatwood at 281-937-7530 or visit 19875 Southwest Fwy #120, Sugar Land, TX 77479, United States, for an in-person evaluation.