ERRR! JAW PAIN! Should I see my dentist or family doctor?

Ok, I'm a nurse, but I specialize in pediatrics...and I'm not a know it all kinda person...and I'm a bad patient, I wait till it's just more than I can handle before I do anything about it...


So since I'm not God, or a doctor, here's my delima:


I have pain in my right lower jaw, aching, tenderness when swallowing, opening my mouth, havent tried chewing, it even hurts to move my tongue. Slight pain radiation to my right ear. My question is, do I see my family doc as my ears are popping alittle like they have sinus pressure, or do I see my dentist for something else, actually dental related?


I'm taking motrin w/out relief. This feels like I've been hit with one good clock to my jaw, but it's non-injury.


Any ideas?


Thanks!

ERRR! JAW PAIN! Should I see my dentist or family doctor?
Rule of thumb:


In or around mouth, it's a dentist's issue. A dentist is the one who is most qualified to treat TMJ dysfunction.


Please don't waste your time and money on a regular physician.


Anything sinus related can be diagnosed and treated by a dental practitioner also. an OPG will even show an accurate view of you maxillary sinuses to see if there is any pathology related to your condition. In the meantime try alternating with hot and cold packs on the area, try to relax the area, and take an anti-inflammatory medication. Even try rubbing something like deep heat or voltaren emulgel on the area, you may find it gives some relief.





In short: See a dentist. Please.
Reply:Doctor. If you see your dentist he will just refer you to you primary car physician. You might have TMJ.
Reply:Get your dentist to send you to a specialist for TMJ; it can cause serious problems, arthritis in the jaw -





it's really a bad thing!!!


use ice packs, and heat on your jaws to help with the pain.





My orthodonic specialist actually used a dry ice treatment to help break up the spasms.
Reply:Go to the doctor asap! I had pain on my tooth for a while and I just kept ignoring it. Now I have one less tooth! Go check it out before it gets to that point of needing it removed. Until then get oragel that's the best thing to put on your tooth when pain comes because it Will numb it for a while. Hope I helped!
Reply:It would be best to go to your dentist. This kind of pain might result to seriously damaging your jaw. Get it done as soon as possible. Things like this can't be fixed easily if it is not taken care earlier. (I got some experience from it too)