What causes pain in the upper jaw?

Mar 18, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Liu Chao
Introduction
In general, upper jaw pain may be caused by factors such as muscle tension, improper diet, oral ulcers, apical periodontitis, or sinusitis, and symptomatic management is required through general treatments, medication, and other methods. During treatment, it is recommended to maintain oral hygiene, avoid irritating foods and beverages, and ensure adequate rest to promote recovery.

Generally, pain in the palate may be caused by muscle tension, improper diet, oral ulcers, apical periodontitis, sinusitis, or other reasons. Symptomatic treatment such as general care and medication is needed. If symptoms are severe, it is recommended to seek timely medical consultation for targeted treatment. A detailed explanation is as follows:

  

1. Muscle Tension

Prolonged muscle tension keeps muscles in a state of continuous contraction, leading to poor local blood circulation and accumulation of metabolic products, which can cause pain. When the muscles around the palate are affected, pain in the palate may occur. It is recommended to perform regular neck and shoulder relaxation exercises, improve posture, and apply heat compresses to relieve muscle tension.

2. Improper Diet

Consuming excessively hot or hard foods may cause injury to the mucous membrane of the palate, resulting in pain. Spicy foods or objects may cause physical damage to the mucous membrane of the palate, leading to redness, swelling, pain, and even blisters. Accompanying symptoms may include difficulty eating and oral discomfort. It is recommended to adjust the diet daily, avoid irritating foods, consume warm and soft foods, and rinse the mouth with warm salt water to promote healing.

3. Oral Ulcer

Oral ulcers are a common cause of pain in the palate, usually caused by local trauma, vitamin deficiency, decreased immunity, and other factors. These factors lead to defects or sores in the oral mucosa, causing pain, which may be accompanied by redness, swelling, and increased pain around the ulcer. It is recommended to use medications such as compound chlorhexidine mouthwash, Xinuos Kangfu (recombinant human epidermal growth factor), and oral ulcer powder under the guidance of a doctor.

4. Apical Periodontitis

Apical periodontitis mainly occurs when bacterial infection spreads from the dental pulp to the surrounding tissues at the root tip, causing inflammation that may extend to the mucous membrane of the palate, resulting in local congestion, swelling, and pain. Accompanying symptoms may include tooth pain and discomfort during occlusion. It is recommended to use medications such as amoxicillin capsules, levofloxacin hydrochloride capsules, and cefixime capsules as directed by a physician to alleviate symptoms.

5. Sinusitis

Sinusitis refers to inflammation of the sinus areas, primarily caused by bacterial, viral, or fungal infections. The inflammation can spread to the adjacent palate region, causing pain in the palate. Inflammatory secretions within the sinuses can also exert pressure on the maxillary bone, intensifying the pain. Symptoms may include nasal congestion, runny nose, and facial tenderness. It is recommended to use medications such as roxithromycin tablets, cephalexin dry suspension, and clindamycin hydrochloride tablets under medical guidance for treatment.

During treatment, maintaining oral hygiene, avoiding irritating foods and beverages, and ensuring adequate rest are recommended to promote recovery.