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Why Does My Jaw Hurt on Only One Side? | Dr. Nicholas Brong While sleeping, you’re jolted awake by a sudden pain on only one side of your jaw. Although the situation can be alarming and confusing, don’t worry – it typically isn’t a cause of immediate concern. However, that doesn’t stop the questions from running through your head.

What does it mean? When should you see a dentist? How can you alleviate the discomfort? Luckily, we’ve got all the answers you’re searching for and more – just keep reading! There are several reasons why you may experience on one side, including: A temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder affects the joint that connects your skull and jaw.

A disc separates the bones in this joint and helps it move properly. If it becomes misaligned or the joint is damaged, you might experience pain and other symptoms like tenderness, earaches, clicking or popping when opening your mouth, difficulty opening and closing your mouth.

In some cases, jaw pain on one side can indicate underlying oral health problems. Some common issues that cause jaw pain are cavities, an abscessed tooth, gum disease, tooth decay, growth of wisdom teeth, missing or crooked teeth, and clenching or grinding your teeth. Inflammation in your nasal cavities can cause sinusitis,

Since the nasal cavities are located behind the cheeks, inflammation can cause pain in one or both sides of your jaw. Usually, this pain is accompanied by other symptoms like nasal congestion, yellow or green mucus, facial swelling, fatigue, and difficulty smelling or tasting.

A persistent or recurring pain that doesn’t go away within a few daysDifficulty eating, drinking, swallowing, or breathingSwelling or a fever that doesn’t go awaySignificant pain that vanishes after a burst of salty liquid that tastes and smells unpleasant

Do you have mild pain in your jaw? You may not need medical treatment! Here are a few ways you can get relief:

Apply a hot or cold compress. Heat can help your muscles relax, giving you relief from aches and stiffness. Alternatively, a cold compress can numb the pain and reduce swelling. Take over-the-counter pain relief. Medications like acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Advil) can temporarily relieve your pain. Rest your jaw as much as possible. Stick to a diet of soft foods that don’t require a lot of chewing. It’ll help you avoid overworking your jaw muscles! Massage your jaw. It can help release pain and tension in your jaw. Try some techniques on your own or visit a specialist for help (i.e., healthcare provider, physical therapist, massage therapist).

If you’re experiencing jaw pain on one side, use the tips outlined above for some relief. Although it should typically resolve on its own within a few days, you can always seek treatment from your dentist for peace of mind! About the Author Dr. Nicholas Brong is passionate about helping patient achieve and maintain optimal oral health.

• He earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery from the University of California in San Francisco.
• If you’re experiencing one-sided jaw pain, Dr.
• Brong and his team can help you get the prompt relief you deserve.
• To make an appointment, visit our or call (507) 288-1066,
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Nicholas Brong

Why does one side of my jaw hurt near my ear?

1. TMJ disorders – One source of ear and jaw pain may be related to your temporomandibular joint (TMJ). This area includes not only the jaw joint but also the muscles surrounding it. The TMJ is adjacent to the temporal bone, which includes your inner ear.

• The TMJ does a lot of work, moving in many directions so you can chew and talk.
• Ear and jaw pain may occur from a TMJ disorder.
• Around 10 to 15 percent of adults may experience a TMJ disorder.
• These disorders cause inflammation and pain in your TMJ.
• Facial pain and ear discomfort are the most common complaints of this condition.

You may have a chronic TMJ disorder if you experience symptoms for longer than three months. You may develop a TMJ disorder from wear and tear or because of another medical condition. In some cases, your doctor may suspect a TMJ disorder, but you actually have something else like:

fibromyalgia sleep apnea anxiety depression

Will jaw pain go away on its own?

For most people, pain in the area of the jaw joint or muscles does not signal a serious problem. Generally, discomfort from these conditions is occasional and temporary, often occurring in cycles. The pain eventually goes away with little or no treatment. Some people, however, develop significant, long-term symptoms.

How long does a hurt jaw last?

How long does TMD last? – It depends on the severity of the underlying condition. TMJ symptoms last anywhere from a couple of days to a few weeks. Some TMJ disorders can last months or years This text opens a new tab to the WebMD website, such as those caused by teeth grinding and arthritis. But: Treatment and proper care may relieve you of your symptoms.

Can sleeping wrong cause jaw pain?

You’re Sleeping in a Bad Position – Sleeping in a bad position for you could cause a sore jaw. While there’s no one best position for jaw health, it’s important to consider how your position could be affecting your jaw and adjust, if necessary. Sleeping on your stomach and turning your head to the side can stress your neck and jaw muscles,

Where does heart jaw pain hurt?

Many of the common signs of heart attack are well known: tightness or pressure in the chest, discomfort in the arms and shoulders, shortness of breath. There’s another to add to the mix, one that may not prompt an immediate 911 call or trip to the ER: jaw pain.

1. Sometimes the manifestation of a heart attack or some cardiac event can be felt in the jaws, the teeth and the neck.
2. It’s not just the left side; it can happen on the right side, too, especially for females,” says Dr.
3. Steven Bender, clinical assistant professor and director of the Center for Facial Pain and Sleep Medicine at Texas A&M College of Dentistry.

“The pain is a sign. It’s an indicator that something is happening right then, right in that moment. It may come and go depending on the severity, just like people who say ‘I thought it was heartburn,’ and it comes and goes. It’s the same thing with the jaw pain.

It may come and go, and people may not attribute it to a cardiac event.” The head, neck and jaw pain experienced during a cardiac event is different than the chronic pain experienced by many of Bender’s patients, who often suffer from temporomandibular joint disorders. Patients with TMD typically can put their finger on the exact area that hurts, whether it’s the jaw, the jaw joint or the side of the head, and the pain often flares up when yawning or chewing.

“If it’s a cardiac event, they won’t notice those factors. It’s going to be more of a diffuse pain, and it will be hard to identify the exact location,” Bender says. The pain can get so intense that it wakes people from sleep. While TMD doesn’t often have this effect, a toothache can.

So what’s another way to discern when you have a potential emergency on your hands? Assessing jaw pain in combination with other symptoms. “They are going to feel flushing or experience perspiration, and they’ll notice that walking up a flight of stairs or physical activity may make it worse,” Bender explains.

“They may feel more of a pulsating pain as compared to a deep ache.” And then there’s dizziness, confusion — some of the typical signs of a cardiac event. Dr. George Feghali, general and interventional cardiologist at the Baylor Jack and Jane Hamilton Heart and Vascular Hospital, takes it one step further.

It’s not just about jaw pain combined with other symptoms, but jaw pain coupled with risk. “I never encounter a patient who comes to see me who says, ‘I’m having jaw pain,’ without any other symptoms. They should have risk factors,” Feghali explains. “For instance, if I have a young lady come to see me without any other risk factors — diabetes, hypertension, smoking, family risk factors — this is less likely to be the heart.

If I have someone who is a big smoker, diabetic, who comes to see me because every time he walks around he gets chest pain and jaw pain, ruling out heart disease is an important step.” In such situations, cardiologists have stress tests and other diagnostic tools at their disposal.

1. You always have to put it into context with risk factors,” Feghali adds.
2. Just like with every clinic at the dental school, appointments at the pain and sleep center involve taking a patient’s blood pressure.
3. When the monitor indicates arrhythmia — an irregular heartbeat — or when patients describe palpitations, Bender refers them to a cardiologist.

Aside from referrals, Feghali describes dentists’ most direct role with patient cardiac health: “Prior to vascular surgeries or other surgeries that involve putting foreign bodies in the heart, you need to make sure the teeth are completely taken care of.” On the other end of the spectrum, it’s also quite common for dentists who work with his patients to seek his opinion on whether certain antibiotics may be necessary prior to dental work.

How do you know if something is wrong with your jaw?

Symptoms – It is important to know that sounds (such as clicking or popping) without pain in the TMJs are common, are considered normal, and don’t need treatment. However, the following symptoms may signal a TMD:

• Pain in the chewing muscles and/or jaw joint (most common symptom).
• Pain that spreads to the face or neck.
• Jaw stiffness.
• Limited movement or locking of the jaw.
• Painful clicking, popping, or grating in the jaw joint when opening or closing the mouth.
• Ringing in the ears, hearing loss, or dizziness.
• A change in the way the upper and lower teeth fit together.

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Where does heart jaw pain hurt?

Many of the common signs of heart attack are well known: tightness or pressure in the chest, discomfort in the arms and shoulders, shortness of breath. There’s another to add to the mix, one that may not prompt an immediate 911 call or trip to the ER: jaw pain.

“Sometimes the manifestation of a heart attack or some cardiac event can be felt in the jaws, the teeth and the neck. It’s not just the left side; it can happen on the right side, too, especially for females,” says Dr. Steven Bender, clinical assistant professor and director of the Center for Facial Pain and Sleep Medicine at Texas A&M College of Dentistry.

“The pain is a sign. It’s an indicator that something is happening right then, right in that moment. It may come and go depending on the severity, just like people who say ‘I thought it was heartburn,’ and it comes and goes. It’s the same thing with the jaw pain.

It may come and go, and people may not attribute it to a cardiac event.” The head, neck and jaw pain experienced during a cardiac event is different than the chronic pain experienced by many of Bender’s patients, who often suffer from temporomandibular joint disorders. Patients with TMD typically can put their finger on the exact area that hurts, whether it’s the jaw, the jaw joint or the side of the head, and the pain often flares up when yawning or chewing.

“If it’s a cardiac event, they won’t notice those factors. It’s going to be more of a diffuse pain, and it will be hard to identify the exact location,” Bender says. The pain can get so intense that it wakes people from sleep. While TMD doesn’t often have this effect, a toothache can.

So what’s another way to discern when you have a potential emergency on your hands? Assessing jaw pain in combination with other symptoms. “They are going to feel flushing or experience perspiration, and they’ll notice that walking up a flight of stairs or physical activity may make it worse,” Bender explains.

“They may feel more of a pulsating pain as compared to a deep ache.” And then there’s dizziness, confusion — some of the typical signs of a cardiac event. Dr. George Feghali, general and interventional cardiologist at the Baylor Jack and Jane Hamilton Heart and Vascular Hospital, takes it one step further.

1. It’s not just about jaw pain combined with other symptoms, but jaw pain coupled with risk.
2. I never encounter a patient who comes to see me who says, ‘I’m having jaw pain,’ without any other symptoms.
3. They should have risk factors,” Feghali explains.
4. For instance, if I have a young lady come to see me without any other risk factors — diabetes, hypertension, smoking, family risk factors — this is less likely to be the heart.

If I have someone who is a big smoker, diabetic, who comes to see me because every time he walks around he gets chest pain and jaw pain, ruling out heart disease is an important step.” In such situations, cardiologists have stress tests and other diagnostic tools at their disposal.

You always have to put it into context with risk factors,” Feghali adds. Just like with every clinic at the dental school, appointments at the pain and sleep center involve taking a patient’s blood pressure. When the monitor indicates arrhythmia — an irregular heartbeat — or when patients describe palpitations, Bender refers them to a cardiologist.

Aside from referrals, Feghali describes dentists’ most direct role with patient cardiac health: “Prior to vascular surgeries or other surgeries that involve putting foreign bodies in the heart, you need to make sure the teeth are completely taken care of.” On the other end of the spectrum, it’s also quite common for dentists who work with his patients to seek his opinion on whether certain antibiotics may be necessary prior to dental work.