RA commonly affects joints throughout the body, including the jaw.
This article discusses RA in the jaw, including symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment.
But, when it’s inflamedas occurs with rheumatoid arthritisit’s almost impossible to ignore.
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Your jaw moves frequently throughout the day as you talk, eat, and swallow.
This joint is formed by your lower jaw (mandible) and your skull.
An articular disk provides padding between these bones, and ligaments that attach bone to bone provide additional support.
Many muscles surround the area to move your TMJ.
Other conditions that cause jaw issues usually only affect one side of your jaw.
How Is RA in the Jaw Diagnosed?
Diagnosing RA begins with your healthcare provider collecting information about your symptoms.
Rheumatoid arthritis affects your whole bodynot just the jaw.
Early on, symptoms of RA usually appear in the hands, fingers, and wrists.
General blood tests offer information about levels of inflammation in the body.
Treating Jaw Pain from RA
Jaw pain from RA can be treated with medications and home remedies.
These medicationscalled disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs, orDMARDscan help decrease pain in your jaw and other joints in your body.
However, they can take months to start working.
Anti-inflammatory medications are commonly used to treatjaw painfrom RA.
If these aren’t effective, your healthcare provider might prescribe a steroid medication, such as prednisone.
RA often targets joints throughout the body, including the jaw.
Symptoms of RA in the jaw include pain, stiffness, clicking, and limited movement.
Treatment includes anti-inflammatory medications and home remedies.
A Word From Verywell
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Temporomandibular disorder (TMD).
Rheumatoid Arthritis Support data pipe.RA and joint pain: Can rheumatoid arthritis cause jaw pain?
Oral Health Foundation.Jaw problems and headaches.
Rheumatoid Arthritis Support internet.RA diagnosis: What criteria are used to diagnose rheumatoid arthritis?
Savtekin G, Sehirli AO.Rheumatoid arthritis in temporo-mandibular joint: A review.
Nigerian Journal of Clinical Practice.
