Could lower jaw ache, constantly swollen glands & headaches be connected?

[nowski12]

For the last 3-4 weeks I have had an ache in the lower jaw area. Mostly on the left side but sometimes on the right also. It's worse when I open my mouth and it's more of a dull ache then a sudden, sharp ache. Swelling sometimes accompanies the ache also.
Nothing that I can note was done to set it off. Never had it before. Don't grind teeth or chew gum or anything like that.
Added to this is the glands in my neck ( the ones kind of along the jaw line) have been swollen for the last couple of weeks. Again, sometimes feel more swollen than other times. I haven't been ill or felt ill at all recently. I eat healthy and train everyday. My health as far as I know is good.
And thirdly, for the last couple of months or so I have had headaches on the right side of my head. Usually towards the front of the head and sometimes behind the eye. Sometimes not there but mostly sort of a dull ache. Again, they are not sharp or sudden. I have not suffered from headaches in the past.
I am 24 years old.
Could these all be connected?

[SassyLassie]

Hello~Yes, they definitely could all be connected. It sounds to me like you have TMJ syndrome.

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) acts like a sliding hinge, connecting your jawbone to your skull. You have one joint on each side of your jaw. TMJ disorders — a type of temporomandibular disorder or TMD — can cause pain in your jaw joint and in the muscles that control jaw movement.

The exact cause of a person's TMJ disorder is often difficult to determine. Your pain may be due to a combination of factors, such as genetics, arthritis or jaw injury. Some people who have jaw pain also tend to clench or grind their teeth, although many people habitually clench or grind their teeth and never develop TMJ disorders.

In most cases, the pain and discomfort associated with TMJ disorders is temporary and can be relieved with self-managed care or nonsurgical treatments. Surgery is typically a last resort after conservative measures have failed, but some people with TMJ disorders may benefit from surgical treatments.

Signs and symptoms of TMJ disorders may include:
•Pain or tenderness of your jaw
•Pain in one or both of the temporomandibular joints
•Aching pain in and around your ear
•Difficulty chewing or pain while chewing
•Aching facial pain
•Locking of the joint, making it difficult to open or close your mouth

TMJ disorders can also cause a clicking sound or grating sensation when you open your mouth or chew. But if there's no pain or limitation of movement associated with your jaw clicking, you probably don't need treatment for a TMJ disorder.

When to see a doctor

Seek medical attention if you have persistent pain or tenderness in your jaw, or if you can't open or close your jaw completely. Your doctor, your dentist or a TMJ specialist can discuss possible causes and treatments of your problem.

Causes

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) combines a hinge action with sliding motions. The parts of the bones that interact in the joint are covered with cartilage and are separated by a small shock-absorbing disk, which normally keeps the movement smooth.

Painful TMJ disorders can occur if:
•The disk erodes or moves out of its proper alignment
•The joint's cartilage is damaged by arthritis
•The joint is damaged by a blow or other impact

In many cases, however, the cause of TMJ disorders isn't clear.

Risk factors

Factors that increase the risk of developing TMJ disorders include:
•Various types of arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis
•Jaw injury
•Long-term (chronic) grinding or clenching of teeth
•Certain connective tissue diseases that cause problems which may affect the temporomandibular joint