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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

What causes jaw joint pain on one side?

Overview – Many things may cause jaw pain, but temporomandibular joint disorder is the most common reason why your jaw hurts. Other common causes may include (top left) arthritis (top right) periodontal disease or( bottom row) infections like sinusitis or tetanus.

Can you have TMJ on one side only?

Can jaw pain on one side be TMJ? Yes. Temporomandibular joint disorders (TMJ or TMD) often develop symmetrically, in both jaw joints at the same time. However, it is possible for people to develop the disorder and experience symptoms on just one side of the head.

What happens if TMJ is left untreated?

Hearing Problems – The temporomandibular joints are located close to the ear canals, which means it’s common for patients to experience symptoms in their ears. If you have unexplained feelings of fullness in your ears, it could be due to your TMJ disorder.

How long does TMJ 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.

Does TMJ happen suddenly?

Conclusion – While a TMJ disorder can develop for any number of reasons, many everyday occurrences can lead to sudden flare-ups. By understanding the most common causes of symptom outbreaks, patients can take preventative measures to help keep pain and inflammation at bay.

Is TMJ worse on one side?

Is TMJ pain usually on one side? – Jaw pain on one side of your face is one of the most common symptoms of a TMJ dislocation. The temporomandibular joint is located at the ends of your jaw, just in front of your ear. It is a ball-and-socket joint similar to your hip.

• When you open your mouth, the ball emerges from the socket.
• When you close your mouth, the ball returns to its socket.
• Your TMJ is held in place by a network of muscles, ligaments, and a cartilage disk.
• TMJ pain can be on one side or both sides.
• It all depends on where the pain is located.
• If the pain is located on one side of the face, the problem is likely to originate from that side.

However, if the pain is spread across both sides of the face, it is less likely that the problem originates from one specific side. Trauma is a major cause of unequal strain on the jaw joints. You could be hit on one side of your jaw, causing serious injury to one of your jaw joints.

Can stress cause jaw pain on one side?

How stress can cause jaw pain and how to relieve it | Live Better Physiotherapist Michael Chan explains how stress and anxiety can cause jaw pain. I have had the privilege of being a physiotherapist since 2003. My interest in jaw rehabilitation started later in my career, when some of the dearest people in my life were complaining about pain in their face and clicking in their jaw. Despite having already seen their GP and dentist for answers, they couldn’t find relief.

I remember thinking to myself, ‘There must be a way to help.’ Access to effective treatment for jaw problems is still relatively scarce within the healthcare industry. Motivated by this, I devoted many months studying the mechanics of the jaw, from which I devised my own unique treatment methods. Today, jaw physiotherapy makes up the largest proportion of my workload, and brings me the greatest satisfaction in my career.

Stress may subconsciously contribute to us clenching more frequently than usual, which creates more pressure within the jaw (or temporomandibular joints). Over time, this can lead to poor control of the muscles responsible for opening and closing the mouth.

If this problem is left unchecked, our brain (which controls these muscles) can lose its ability to remember the correct position and movement of the jaw. Combined with the physical effects that stress has on our posture, as well as the muscles in the neck and shoulders, we have a concoction for catastrophe.

In all my years of treating jaw dysfunction, the greatest link my patients share is an elevated level of stress, and sometimes even, “Pain is best treated through very gentle jaw exercises which can be done quickly and discretely at home or work.” For many people experiencing facial pain, the cause can go unrecognised.

Clicking noises when opening and closing the mouth. Episodes where the jaw becomes stuck or ‘locked’. Difficulty and pain when eating certain foods, such as apples or nuts.

Often they may also experience the flow-on effects of jaw dysfunction, such as neck pain, ear pain, headaches, fear of meal times and weight loss (due to an inability to eat solid foods). So it is important to look out for these symptoms before they progress into more advanced stages of jaw dysfunction.

How do you do a TMJ massage?

Place 2 to 3 fingers on the muscles below your cheek bones. If you clench your teeth, you should feel the muscles tighten under those fingers. Press into the muscles and hold that pressure for 6 to 10 seconds. Keep your jaw relaxed and repeat in another tender or tight area of your cheek.

Does TMJ heal naturally?

How To Cure TMJ Permanently – If you’ve been dealing with the pain and discomfort of TMJ, there’s no doubt that you’re probably looking for methods on how to cure TMJ. In some cases, TMJ disappears on its own with no need for treatment. However, this isn’t very common. It’s best for you to seek medical help from a professional if you find that your daily activities are being interrupted by TMJ pain and symptoms.

Why does my jaw hurt on the left side?

Dental Problems – More often than not, pain on one side of your jaw is linked to a dental problem like cavities, an abscess, wisdom teeth, gum disease, missing or misaligned teeth, or clenching and grinding. If a dental problem is the cause of your one-sided jaw pain, it’s usually accompanied by other symptoms such as bad breath, sensitive teeth, sores in your mouth, tooth pain, bleeding and painful gums, or pain with swallowing and chewing.

How long does it take for jaw joint pain to go away?

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 stress cause jaw pain on one side?

How stress can cause jaw pain and how to relieve it | Live Better Physiotherapist Michael Chan explains how stress and anxiety can cause jaw pain. I have had the privilege of being a physiotherapist since 2003. My interest in jaw rehabilitation started later in my career, when some of the dearest people in my life were complaining about pain in their face and clicking in their jaw. Despite having already seen their GP and dentist for answers, they couldn’t find relief.

I remember thinking to myself, ‘There must be a way to help.’ Access to effective treatment for jaw problems is still relatively scarce within the healthcare industry. Motivated by this, I devoted many months studying the mechanics of the jaw, from which I devised my own unique treatment methods. Today, jaw physiotherapy makes up the largest proportion of my workload, and brings me the greatest satisfaction in my career.

Stress may subconsciously contribute to us clenching more frequently than usual, which creates more pressure within the jaw (or temporomandibular joints). Over time, this can lead to poor control of the muscles responsible for opening and closing the mouth.

If this problem is left unchecked, our brain (which controls these muscles) can lose its ability to remember the correct position and movement of the jaw. Combined with the physical effects that stress has on our posture, as well as the muscles in the neck and shoulders, we have a concoction for catastrophe.

In all my years of treating jaw dysfunction, the greatest link my patients share is an elevated level of stress, and sometimes even, “Pain is best treated through very gentle jaw exercises which can be done quickly and discretely at home or work.” For many people experiencing facial pain, the cause can go unrecognised.

Clicking noises when opening and closing the mouth. Episodes where the jaw becomes stuck or ‘locked’. Difficulty and pain when eating certain foods, such as apples or nuts.

Often they may also experience the flow-on effects of jaw dysfunction, such as neck pain, ear pain, headaches, fear of meal times and weight loss (due to an inability to eat solid foods). So it is important to look out for these symptoms before they progress into more advanced stages of jaw dysfunction.