Diabetes FAQ » Diabetes Q&A » Is there an association between jaw pain and diabetes, lately my jaw has been giving me pain?

Is there an association between jaw pain and diabetes, lately my jaw has been giving me pain?

Actually jaw pain can be a result of many disease or conditions. The most common reason for jaw pain is dental in nature. However, if a diabetic has jaw pain it can be something else entirely and something you would want to seek medical attention for.

Diabetes and Dental Problems

As already stated, jaw pain is most associated with dental problems. The American Dental Association confirms that diabetes can have concerns with oral cavity issues such as tooth decay (from high blood sugar levels) periodontal (gum) disease, fungal and bacterial infection and skin disease. Like all other issues the healing process in type 2 diabetic patients is very slow. The mouth can become a breeding ground for all kinds of bacteria. Bacteria can be present in the saliva of the mouth and it can be in the oral cavity and the inner muscles and tissue. These conditions can also lead into jaw pain.

Focal neuropathies associated with jaw pain and diabetes

Nerve damage is a complication for people who have diabetes and this condition can happen to nerves that are present anywhere in the body. Sometimes there are no symptoms to warn of possible nerve damage, but when there are symptoms often time the first symptom will be pain. There can also be numbness, loss of feeling or tingling in the arms and legs. Focal neuropathy though less often noticed by the diabetic individual can affect the organs, and digestive tract. Particular to your question, it can also affect the face and jaw.

There are four different kinds of neuropathies, which are called peripheral, autonomic, proximal and focal. Focal neuropathy is the concern diabetic individuals with jaw pain.

Most often the focal neuropathy of the oral cavity will only occur after people have lived with diabetes for around 25 years. It is not a fast developing nerve disease. It occurs when the nerve because weakened. However, it can occur much sooner if diabetics have problems controlling their blood sugar levels, high blood pressure, and their weight. People with diabetes mellitus are usually obese.

Neuroma

Sometimes if the pain occurs years after some kind of trauma to the jaw, what could happen is that the person developed a no cancerous tumor, or benign growth of some sort, which attached itself to the nerve in the jawbone and twisted the nerve causing extreme pain.

Osteonecrosis of the jaw

This is a rare condition that will also produce pain. Osteonecrosis occurs when the blood supply to the bones is cut off, it could be a temporary condition or it could be a permanent one. The bone tissue will die without an adequate supply of blood. According to studies, patients with diabetes may be at a greater risk for developing osteonecrosis jawbone disease.

Jaw Disease and Heart Disease Localized pain in the jaw is one thing, but to have this pain in the jaw accompanied with chest pain could be a telltale sign of heart problems and heart problems are associated with diabetes. However, it could also be a sign of a heart attack and you will need to get yourself to the emergency immediately for treatment.

Focal neuropathies are pain from compressed nerves and often they do go away in a few weeks; however, on a cautionary note you should go to see your diabetes specialist and your dentist and both of these specialists should be told about your jaw pain and your diabetes so that a proper diagnosis will be made.

Pain relief

Doctors will normally prescribe a painkiller for diabetic nerve pain; however, over the counter drugs may not be affective for this pain. Antidepressants are also prescribed to relieve the nerve pain as well as some other medications. Some of these medications will not be recommended for certain diabetics, such as seniors and people suffering from serious illnesses as there may be some serious side affects. Furthermore, some patients will look for alternative medicine to relieve the pain and that would include yoga, or acupuncture, and biofeedback.

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