An aching jaw is odd enough, but things get more concerning when the pain is only on one side. You may fear you have a major injury or ailment in the latter case. That said, perhaps you’re asking yourself a pressing question: Why does your jaw only hurt on one side? Your Greensboro dentist takes your worries seriously, so he’s here to put the matter to rest. Read on to discover what causes one-sided jaw pain and when it might require dental care.
Causes of One-Sided Jaw Pain
If you’re suffering from one-sided jaw pain, it likely stems from one (or more) of the following:
TMJ Disorder
A TMJ disorder is a condition that affects your jaw’s temporomandibular joint (TMJ), making it misaligned or damaged over time. One-sided jaw pain is one of its many symptoms, alongside other common signs like jaw tenderness, earaches, popping noises from the mouth, etc.
Notably, multiple factors can contribute to (or trigger) a TMJ disorder. These range from ordinary teeth grinding to general tissue damage.
Poor Oral Health
Sometimes, one-sided jaw pain is the result of poor oral health. It’s quite possible for this ache to trace its source back to an issue with your smile.
Common oral problems known to cause jaw pain include:
- Cavities
- Abscessed Teeth
- Wisdom Tooth Growth
- Gum Disease
- Missing or Misaligned Teeth
- Tooth Clenching
Sinus Infection
Though an inflammation of sinus tissues, a sinus infection (or “sinusitis”) can prompt some one-sided jaw pain. Such discomfort would occur as your sinuses enlarge and press down on your jaw’s joints. Due to the latter, you could easily develop an ache alongside a stuffy nose, facial pressure, and so on.
The causes of a sinus infection can vary, though the most common ones are illnesses like the common cold and the flu. (Rarer factors include nasal and seasonal allergies.)
See a Dentist When Pain Persists
When one-sided jaw pain persists for days or weeks, you’d do well to see a dentist. This kind of prolonged ache may point to a serious health issue that a dental professional can diagnose.
Of course, you should also see a dentist if you develop other worrying symptoms besides pain. Such signs include:
- Difficulty eating, drinking, swallowing, or breathing
- A swelling or fever that won’t go away
- Severe pain that fades after a burst of salty liquid
Don’t ignore your jaw when it only hurts on one side. Instead, get to the bottom of your discomfort and seek treatment as needed!
About the Author
Dr. David M. Fisher, Jr. is a dentist based in Greensboro, NC, having earned his DDS from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Dedicated education has made him a top-tier expert in preventive, cosmetic, and even restorative dentistry, as well as dental emergency care. It’s thus only natural that he’s been giving patients wonderful smiles for over twenty years! Today, Dr. Fisher practices at his self-titled clinic and is reachable on his website and by phone at (336)-288-1242.