Jaw Conditions: Causes

What causes jaw conditions?

Numerous conditions, diseases and disorders, including infection, malignancy, trauma, inflammation, genetic diseases and disorders, birth defects, and other abnormal processes, can cause jaw conditions. Common disorders include myofascial pain syndrome, temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ), and bruxism (teeth grinding). Myofascial pain is often caused by tension, spasm, or fatigue of the muscles that allow a person to chew, called the masticatory muscles. TMJ disorders can be the result of misaligned teeth or injury. If you grind your teeth and clench your jaw, you have bruxism.

Common causes of jaw conditions

A number of conditions can cause jaw conditions including:

• Arthritis
• Benign or malignant tumors
• Bruxism (teeth grinding)
• Dental abscess
• Dislocations or fractures
• Infections
• Jaw or head injury
• Neurological conditions
• Osteonecrosis
• Periodontal disease
• Poorly fitting dentures or dental appliances
• TMJ disorder

Serious or life-threatening causes of jaw conditions

Rarely, jaw conditions can arise as a consequence of serious or even life-threatening causes including:

• Head injury or trauma
• Malignant tumors

What are the risk factors for jaw conditions?

A number of factors increase the risk of developing jaw conditions. Not all people with risk factors will get jaw conditions. Risk factors for jaw conditions include:

• Diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, or sleep disorders
• Jaw deformity
• Stress and anxiety