Do you suffer from reoccurring jaw pain? This is known as orofacial pain, which is a term used to describe pain that occurs in the jaws, face, or mouth. The symptoms and the causes of the discomfort can be quite diverse; however, it is believed that 95% of cases originate from a dental issue, such as an abscess. With the National Institutes of Health estimating that 1 out of 10 Americans suffer from chronic craniofacial pain and inflammation, it is quite a large epidemic. Now, groundbreaking research may have found the cause behind chronic jaw pain.
Is Your Orofacial Pain Due to an Abundant Protein?
Scientists at Oregon Health and Science University School of Dentistry have recently made a discovery that could point to the cause of some orofacial pain. During their research, it was found that an abundance of a certain protein can influence pain signaling. With this new information, it could lead to new therapies and treatments to help reduce the occurrence of craniofacial pain and inflammation.
The results of the research found that an underlying molecular mechanism causes an increased production of a pain-signaling protein that is released during times of inflammation. When tissues become inflamed, it causes the never cells that carry the pain information from the head to the brain to increase the production of the protein, known as brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF).
The increase in the protein influences the pro-inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor (TNF). This causes a significant increase in inflammation of the tooth pulps. In addition, this nerve stimulation promotes the BDNF production in response to TNF.
How Can This Information Improve Your Pain?
The new findings offer promising results for new treatments of orofacial conditions, like temporomandibular joint disorders, toothaches, and even gum disease. With the pain ranging from mild to severe, finding the underlying cause of the issue is vital for providing relief. The American Dental Association encourages anyone who is experiencing orofacial pain to schedule an appointment with their dentist right away.
Your dentist will work to find the cause of the discomfort to provide an appropriate course of treatment. With the right treatment plan in place, the underlying cause will be treated to restore your quality of life.
Do not let jaw pain ruin your day any longer. Get the relief you need by calling your dentist.
About The Author
At Water’s Edge Dental, Dr. Mike Rolfes treats patients in the Port Orange community with experience and expertise, providing comprehensive care all under one roof. He places and restores dental implants in-house, so you don’t need to work with an outside provider. To learn more about dental implants or to schedule a consultation, visit his website or call (386) 516-4351.