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How Could Whiplash Lead to Jaw Pain?


Posted on 7/13/2019 by Dr. Chad Rebhun
How Could Whiplash Lead to Jaw Pain?One of the most common injuries a person can suffer after they have been in a car accident is whiplash. Whiplash occurs when the head moves violently forward, backward or sideways.

This is something that can occur during an accident easily, but there are other ways that people can suffer from whiplash without realizing it. That is why it is important to recognize jaw pain as one of the symptoms of whiplash. The problem is that many people cannot see the connection between a neck injury and jaw pain.

How Whiplash Happens


When the neck muscles suffer a strain from a rapid movement backward and forward the result is often whiplash. Whiplash can range from minor discomfort to extreme pain. Treatment for whiplash often involves stabilizing the next area to allow the strain of the muscles to heal. That takes time. In some cases, surgery is necessary to help deal with the whiplash. Some people may feel pain in different areas around their neck long after the whiplash occurs. That is where the jaw pain may come into play.

Whiplash and TMJ


When the head moves back and forth in a violent motion, the neck muscles are not the only ones that can suffer damage. It is also possible that the muscles of the jaw can become strained. For some people the muscles that connect the jaw to the skull can suffer some form of strain or injury. The result of this strain of the jaw is TMJ disorder. One of the symptoms of TMJ is jaw pain. Until the jaw muscles heal or until they are aligned properly, the jaw pain can continue.

One of the biggest problems with whiplash is that it does not always fully heal. If there is a problem with TMJ resulting from the whiplash, it is also possible that that will reoccur. The key to treating TMJ is recognizing the problem and learning ways to help limit the impact it can have.

Contact our office to schedule an appointment to learn about this or any other oral health issue.

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Dental Blog | Optimum Oral Surgery Group
At Optimum Oral Surgery Group, Dr. Donald G. Rebhun has created this informative blog to help educate the community. Read the dental blog posts here.
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