Jaw muscle pain - dentist or family doc?

[seemfrog]

I have been experiencing jaw muscle pain for the past month or so, its not really clicking or sticking, but feels like its tight and sometimes I can't close my mouth all the way.  It has been giving me a headache on that side, temple area.

I hadn't really heard of TMJ/TMD before, and I don't grind or clench my teeth...

I had been thinking if I just injured it, that it should be going away  by now?

Anyway, wondered it would make more sense to go to a general doctor or a dentist to check it out?

thanks!

[es1967]

For 8 months I was experiencing jaw pain and I thought it was TMJ.  I went and had massages, accupuncture,cranial sacral therapy etc which all helped.  But then I find out it was related to a tooth that had a crack in it!!  The xrays did not show it either.  It was really frustrating b/c I went to the dentist 3 x but until the crack surfaced on the outside of the tooth I had no idea-then it was too late.  The pain became very bad and still I thought it was TMJ but by the time they noticed the crack the tooth was dead so I needed a root canal and crown. Good luck.

[es1967]

Your doctor would probably send you to an Ear nose throat specialist who would then send you to an oral surgeon.  I would see the dentist first.  But I would recommend you see a endodontist if you think it may be tooth related.  Had I gone I would have saved alot of grief and money.