If you’re experiencing pain on one side of your jaw, you’re probably wondering what the underlying cause is and whether it qualifies as a dental emergency. The fact of the matter is that there can be multiple explanations for this type of discomfort, and some are more dire than others. Here’s a brief overview of 3 reasons why your jaw might hurt on one side.
1. TMJ Disorder
TMJ is short for temporomandibular joint, which is the name of the joints that allow you to move your lower jaw. If the TMJ on one side of your head is injured or exposed to an excessive amount of strain, it can lead to a TMJ disorder. This condition is often characterized by jaw pain as well as other symptoms such as ringing in the ears, headaches, and a clicking sound when opening the mouth.
If you suspect that you have TMJ disorder, you should schedule an appointment with your dentist as soon as you can. Once they’ve diagnosed the problem, they can help you explore your options for treatment. For example, they may give you an occlusal splint to wear at night. This simple device can slightly reposition the jaw and help it find a better resting position, thus relieving the pressure on the jaw joint.
2. An Untreated Dental Problem
One-sided jaw pain is often a side effect of some type of dental issue. Common examples include untreated cavities, impacted wisdom teeth, gum disease, or a dental abscess (which is a pocket of pus that forms when tooth decay goes unaddressed for too long).
Your dentist can examine your mouth to check for dental issues that could be to blame for the discomfort in your jaw. Once a diagnosis has been made, they can point you toward the best treatment options for relieving your pain and getting your oral health back on track.
3. A Heart Attack
Is your pain specifically occurring on the left side of your jaw? Is it accompanied by chest pain, difficulty breathing, nausea, stomach pain, dizziness, or lightheadedness? If so, there’s a chance that your discomfort is a warning sign of a heart attack. If you have any reason to believe that you are suffering from heart problems, you should get in touch with the nearest emergency room immediately.
These are just a few of the possible reasons why one-sided jaw pain may occur. In general, it’s best to have a trained professional diagnose the problem as soon as possible; once they’ve identified the underlying issue, they can help you explore your options for treatment so that you can get the relief you deserve.
About the Author
Dr. Rashpal Deol is an experienced dentist who earned his Bachelor of Dental Surgery degree from the Dr. R. Ahmed Dental College and Hospital in Calcutta, India. He has received advanced training in Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMD) and Orofacial Pain Management as well as various other topics. He’s proud to offer a full menu of services for treating a wide range of dental problems. If you’re bothered by one-sided jaw pain, you can schedule an appointment with Dr. Deol at Oak Ridge Dental in San Ramon by visiting his website or calling (925) 735-6190.
