Individuals experiencing pain throughout their jaw, face, and neck may be suffering from a temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder, or TMD. TMD can be brought on by joint arthritis or heightened levels of stress; however, there are several common activities that can lead to the disorder, such as grinding or clenching the teeth. It can be difficult to prevent this behavior, particularly for individuals who grind their teeth during sleep, so contacting a dental professional is best option for receiving proper treatment.
Pain throughout the TMJ can also be brought on by a facial injury or physical trauma to the joint and other parts of the head and neck. Receiving blunt force trauma to the jaw, for example, can affect the joint and create discomfort in the jaw. Furthermore, trauma does not need to be directed to the joint or jaw in order to result in TMD. Any situation that results in severe whiplash, such as a car accident, can also create stress and pain throughout the joint, leading to TMD.