Jaw Pain On One Side

Although it can be distressing to feel sudden pain in one side of your jaw, it is usually not serious. It’s possible to be concerned about dental problems such as tooth decay or an abscessed tooth. You may also wonder if your teeth have been clenched nightly.

Many things can cause one-sided jaw pain. We’ll discuss the most common causes and other symptoms and when you should see your dentist or doctor.

Jaw Pain on the One Side: Causes, Treatment Tips, When to See A DoctorThis video explains the main causes, symptoms, and how to get relief.

Should I be concerned?

Jaw pain on one side generally is not a cause for concern. In rare cases, jaw pain on one side can indicate a heart attack. Anyone can experience this symptom, but it occurs more frequently in women trusted Source

You may also experience jaw pain if you have a coronary.

  • Pressure or pain in your chest, which goes away when you relax but comes back when you get up
  • Tightness, pain, or pressure in your chest and arms can spread to your jaw, neck, back and stomach.
  • heartburn or indigestion
  • Breathing difficulty
  • Nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, and other symptoms
  • extreme tiredness
  • Dizziness and lightheadedness
  • sudden cold sweats

These symptoms may appear suddenly or slowly over several days or hours. These symptoms can be accompanied by jaw pain. Seek emergency treatment immediately or have someone drive to the hospital.

Common causes

Here are some possible causes of jaw pain.

TMJ disorders

Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) disorders affect the joint between your skull and jaw. The disc allows the joint to move correctly by separating its bones. You may feel pain on either side of your jaw if the disc is misaligned or the joint is damaged.

TMJ disorders can also manifest as:

  • Tenderness around your jaw
  • earache
  • Pain, clicking, or popping while chewing or opening your lips
  • If the joint locks are in place, you may have difficulty opening or closing your mouth.

Multiple factors can cause TMJ disorders, so it is not always possible to pinpoint the cause.

TMJ disorders can be caused by the following:

  • arthritis
  • Teeth grinding or clenching
  • tissue damage
  • Tooth damage or misalignment
  • Jaw infection or injury
  • Damage to the cartilage of the joint

Talk to your dentist if you are experiencing symptoms of TMJ disorder.

Sinusitis

Sinusitis can be caused by inflammation in the nasal cavities. Sinusitis is most common after a cold. However, allergies and other medical conditions may also cause it.

You might feel pain in one or both of your jaws if the sinus cavities behind your cheeks, also known as the maxillary sinuses (or the maxillary sinuses), are inflamed.

Sinusitis can also be characterized by:

  • Nasal congestion can make it difficult to breathe through your nose
  • Yellow or green mucus, which drains from your nose and into your throat
  • Facial pain, pressure, swelling
  • Pressure and pain in your ears and head
  • Fatigue
  • It is difficult to smell or taste

Sinusitis usually resolves on its own. However, it is worth consulting your healthcare provider if it persists for more than one week.

Dental problems

Sometimes, pain on one side can be traced back to oral or dental health issues.

Jaw pain can be caused by common dental issues, such as:

  • Cavities
  • An abscessed tooth
  • Growth of wisdom tooth
  • gum disease or tooth decay
  • Missing or misaligned teeth
  • Tooth grinding or clenching

Rare causes

Although these issues are not common, they can cause pain in one side of the jaw. Your healthcare provider might recommend that you rule out other causes if there’s no clear cause for your pain.

Trigeminal neuralgia

The most common cause of this chronic condition is abnormal pressure on the trigeminal nerve. The nerve can become severely damaged by this pressure, which can cause severe pain. The condition can also be caused by an injury or brain abnormality.

Trigeminal neuropathy is more common in women than in people over 50. It is characterized by severe pain, usually affecting one side of the face.

Osteomyelitis

Osteomyelitis occurs when bacteria in the bone become seriously infected.

If you have a serious condition such as a toothache or are injured, your jawbone may become infected. Your risk can be increased by conditions that impact your immune system.

Cysts and tumours

These types of growth are different. Cysts contain fluid, while tumours are mass of tissue. Both can cause pain in the jaw but are rare.

They aren’t usually cancerous but can affect your oral health. They can grow rapidly, causing your teeth and jaw to shift out of place.

The following are some of the most common cysts and tumours that can affect your mouth:

  • Ameloblastoma
  • dentigerous cysts
  • Odontoma