During a car accident, your body can experience a significant force at once. This is possible even in minor accidents that happen at low speeds. The force can lead to immediate pain, hidden symptoms, or delayed injuries.
Head and neck injuries, including ear and jaw pain, may not be obvious right away after a car accident. Jaw pain and tenderness as well as ringing in the ears can indicate a more serious injury or underlying issue. If you seek Legal advice, your lawyer can discuss your legal options after sustaining ear and jaw pain in a car accident as well as why you should seek prompt medical attention.
How Jaw Pain Can Develop Following a Car Accident
The jaw is the only part of your skull that moves. Its coverage is wide, starting from the front of your ear. It allows a range of motion and makes it possible for you to bite or chew something. The versatility of your jaw muscles makes them quite fragile. And stress on your jaw can disrupt your ability to eat, talk, and sleep. Problems with the ligaments and muscles that surround can result from an injury to your temporomandibular joint (TMJ), which is called a TMJ disorder. This injury often presents symptoms such as pain, jaw tenderness, locked jaw, ear and facial pain, chewing difficulty, and ringing in the ears.
An injury to the TMJ can happen because of a serious impact on your skull and neck such as when your head hits your car’s dashboard or steering wheel. And because you constantly use your jaw, a jaw injury may not resolve on its own. Thus, you must seek medical attention as soon as possible if you experience jaw pain after an accident.
How Jaw Pain Impacts Your Quality of Life
If you have chronic jaw pain, you may not be able to sleep properly at night. And while a doctor can prescribe medications for TMJ disorders, these medications make it difficult for you to focus on work tasks and think.
In addition, jaw pain can affect your ability to perform daily activities. With a jaw disorder, you may not be able to eat and drink comfortably and properly. Also, it can cause tooth or gum sensitivity and pain. Depending on how serious the condition is, you may have to visit a physical therapist to strengthen your jaw again and make it possible for you to properly move it.
