A drop in temperature may not just chill you to the bone this winter - for some people, it can actually trigger pain. We recently got this question from a viewer: Dear Dr. Manny, I get pain in my jaw when it's really cold out. Why does this happen? Thanks, Meghan The first thing you should do is get your teeth checked to rule out cavities as a cause for your pain. But the weather can have an effect on your body in ways you may not expect. Studies have shown that changes in barometric pressure that often accompany a drop in temperature can trigger pain by causing air pockets throughout your body to expand and/or shrink, putting pressure on the nerves. Temporomandibular joint disorders, or TMJ, are also common in adult women. Symptoms can include: Earaches Headaches Chewing pain Difficulty opening your mouth Clicking or grating sounds in the joint Shivering in cold weather can cause the muscles in your jaw to constrict or spasm, which can also result in pain. Always talk to your doctor to determine the best treatment based on your condition.
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