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What Causes Tingling Sensation And Swelling In Lower Jaw?

Posted on Wed, 13 Apr 2016

Question: I've been having a tingly feeling on and off for the last four months in my lower left jaw. I also have slight swelling. I'm now 7 months pregnant, but I was able to get a few dental x-rays when it started. It lasted for about two weeks before I was able to get in to the dentist, and she sent me to the oral surgeon who removed my wisdom teeth the previous year. I also still have pain where my left bottom wisdom tooth was taken out. All of this went away for awhile, or at least was less noticeable after I had taken a course of antibiotics. I have recently been sick, and that's when I started to notice all of these symptoms again. I'm just really worried. I have my panoramic x-ray from XXXXXXX 2014, and recent x-rays from September 2015.

Answered by Dr. Honey Arora (6 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Seems like TMD, needs more details .

Detailed Answer:
Hi..
Welcome to HEALTHCARE MAGIC..

I have gone through your query and can understand your concerns..

As per your complain it seems like the symptoms that you are facing of tingling and slight swelling of lower jaw might be related to TEMPOROMANDIBULAR JOINT DISORDER also known as TMJ or TMD..

I would rather like to know a few more details before I can reach an appropriate conclusion and guide you further .
1. Is the pain, tingling and swelling always present or it comes and goes?
2.Do you experience pain and discomfort in the area around the ear too?
3.Is there pain in opening and closing the mouth or chewing also?
4.Did the mouth guard help in relieving the symptoms?
5.Other than antibiotics, did you also took painkillers?
6.It is happening since 4 months only or did it happen anytime before also?

Kindly revert back with the answers..

Hope this information helps..

Thanks and regards.
Dr.Honey Nandwani Arora.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Honey Arora (4 hours later)

1. Everything comes and goes. Some days are just worse than others and I notice it more. The tingling is pretty constant though.

2. I'm not really sure. I'll get ear pain every once in awhile, and the back of my jaw bone, right under the ear usually hurts to press on.

3. No, just some mild discomfort when chewing sometimes. But, it will click every now and then.

4. I haven't worn the night guard enough to have seen much of a difference.

5. No painkillers, just an antibiotic.

6. I've noticed it for the past 4-5 months, I'm not sure if it's happened before.

I'll also get the tingly feeling in my chin, and pain that radiates down my neck.

Answered by Dr. Honey Arora (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Take Acetaminophen and wait till your delivery.

Detailed Answer:
Hi..
Welcome Again..

As per your answer it seems that there can be multiple factors that seems to be causing the problems..
1. As you have clicking at the jaw joint and ear ache it is indication towards disorders related to Jaw joint and points towards TMD.
2. Pain under the ear on pressing can be related to wisdom tooth area..
3. Tingling in the jaw, chin and pain radiating down the neck can be due to nerve related injury..

These seems to me to be the most probable causes in your case..
As you are 7 months pregnant I would not suggest you to undergo any radiation exposure for x rays and MRI Scanning..
So my suggestion would be to start wearing your mouth guard..
Take Acetaminophen for pain relief as it is safe during pregnancy..
You can massage the sides of your face with round gentle movements of finger tips..
You should take a soft diet..
You can do alternate warm [not hot] and cool compresses over the jaw and chin..

Once you complete your pregnancy duration and deliver your baby, after that you can get a latest x ray done along with MRI Scan to get checked for the exact problem related to jaw joint, wisdom tooth area as well as the nerve..
Treatment can be then accomplished accordingly..

Note: Find out which dental treatment will work best for your teeth. Ask here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Deepak