2023-08-05 09:30:00
Health
Published: 05/08/2023Last updated: 05/08/2023
Published: 05/08/2023Last updated: 05/08/2023
Orofacial pain is a condition involving discomfort or pain in the mouth, face and neck region.
Orofacial pain is a broad term that encompasses a variety of symptoms and causes.
It is characterized by all the pain and discomfort associated with the skin, blood vessels, bones, teeth, glands, muscles and joints present in the oral cavity, neck and face, and can be quite uncomfortable and disrupt quality of life.
To find out details such as its causes, symptoms and treatment, keep following the article!
Table of Contents — In this article, you’ll find:
What causes orofacial pain?Signs and symptomsHow is the diagnosis made?Treatment for orofacial paindaily care
What causes orofacial pain?
Orofacial pain can arise from various problems that affect the neck, jaw, oral cavity and tissues of the head. Among the most common causes are:
Signs and symptoms
Orofacial pain can present with a variety of symptoms that manifest according to its underlying cause. Among some of them we can mention:
Pain in the orofacial region
The pain may be localized to areas such as the jaw, mouth, cheeks, gums or the temporomandibular region (temporomandibular joint).
Pain when opening or closing the mouth
Pain can be triggered by talking, chewing, yawning or performing jaw movements.
Headache
Headaches may occur in association with orofacial pain.
joint noises
Clicks or noises in the temporomandibular joint can arise during jaw movements.
movement restriction
Difficulty opening the mouth fully or moving the jaw regularly.
Sensitivity in the teeth or gums
Pain or discomfort when touching the teeth or gums.
Muscle pain
Pain in the muscles of mastication, which may be tender to the touch.
Earache
Pain may arise in the ear region and is usually associated with symptoms such as tinnitus or a feeling of clogged ears.
Pain associated with stress
In some cases, orofacial pain can be triggered or aggravated by psychological factors such as stress and anxiety.
Toothache
Orofacial pain can also be felt in the teeth, which can be caused by cavities, tooth infections, bruxism (teeth grinding) or dental trauma.
If you experience any of the symptoms mentioned above, the ideal is to seek specialized help to try to identify the causes and treat them correctly. And remember: never self-medicate!
Read more: What is oral health? Know the importance and care tips
How is the diagnosis made?
The diagnosis of this condition usually involves a detailed clinical evaluation, which should be performed by specialized health professionals, such as dentists, dental surgeons or specialists in orofacial pain.
These professionals usually take the patients’ dental and medical history, perform clinical examinations and also request complementary tests, in order to conceive a correct diagnosis.
In addition, they can also recommend referral to other specialists, in cases where orofacial pain is associated with other diseases, such as psychologists, rheumatologists and physiotherapists, for example.
Treatment for orofacial pain
Treatment for orofacial pain can change according to each person, and should be based on the cause of the problem.
However, in most cases, interventions involve medication to relieve pain and/or relax muscles, bite splints, dental treatments, physical therapy, and even surgery in more severe cases.
In the case of physiotherapy, the professional applies techniques that, in addition to reducing pain and discomfort, also help to improve the functionality of the region. Massages, stretching, electrotherapy and relaxation techniques are some of the ways to contribute to the improvement of symptoms.
daily care
To prevent orofacial pain, it is important to adopt healthy measures and practices, such as:
Maintain good oral hygiene; Avoid eating very hard foods; Take care of your mental health, to avoid and know how to deal with situations of stress and anxiety; Avoid harmful habits, such as biting your nails, biting hard objects, clenching or grinding your teeth (bruxism) and biting the lips or cheeks; Practicing physical exercises regularly with mouth protection; Taking care of posture.
Orofacial pain is a condition that involves discomfort or pain in the mouth, face and neck region, and can be caused by several conditions and diseases. If symptoms persist, seek expert help.
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