“Why does my jaw hurt after my root canal?”

You can call the endodontist to ask directly. Is your jaw joint or the area around the treated tooth hurting? If you can take ibuprofen, ibuprofen plus acetaminophen (Tylenol) provides
the best pain relief. If your jaw joint is bothering, stick with soft foods. Avoid opening your mouth wide. See if applying cold or warm makes your jaw feel better. If the area of the tooth is sore, limiting chewing on that side is helpful. Continue to keep your mouth clean!

Your mouth may have been open wide long enough to strain the muscles and perhaps the joint. Call the doctor who treated your tooth and ask what to do. You need a diagnosis before any treatment is recommended. You may need referral to an Orofacial pain specialist. Until you see the dentist, rest your jaw and avoid hard foods and wide opening. You can use hot or cold compresses, depending on which one helps the most. You can use ibuprofen or naproxen if you tolerate these drugs well

Joseph R. Cohen, DDS, FACD, FAAOP, FAHS