So, maybe you’re dealing with jaw pain on one side. The issue can be alarming, especially if it appears suddenly and without warning. In truth, however, this soreness usually isn’t anything to worry about. Most one-sided jaw aches stem from mundane and ordinary causes. To be safe, though, it helps to know when they need urgent care. Luckily, your dental practice has the relevant details. Here are one-sided jaw pain’s common causes and when to get care from an emergency dentist.
What Causes One-Sided Jaw Pain?
Generally, one-sided jaw pain is the result of common health conditions. These include the following:
TMJ Disorders
Per their name, TMJ disorders affect your temporomandibular joint (TMJ). They occur when the body part becomes misaligned or damaged, leading to jaw pain. However, these disorders also have other symptoms – jaw tenderness, earaches, popping noises from opening your mouth, etc.
Multiple factors can contribute to TMJ disorders. These issues range from ordinary teeth grinding or tooth damage to more general tissue damage.
Sinusitis
If you don’t already know, sinusitis is an inflammation of your sinus tissues. It’s generally associated with stuffy noses, facial pressure, and headaches. However, this inflammation can also cause pain in one side of your jaw. When that happens, your maxillary sinuses are likely inflamed.
Sinusitis has several potential causes. The more normal ones are illnesses like the common cold and the flu. That said, sinus inflammation can also result from nasal and seasonal allergies.
Oral Health Problems
Pain on one side of your jaw does, at times, trace back to oral health concerns. You thus shouldn’t dismiss the possibility of a dental problem as your pain’s source.
Common dental problems that can cause jaw pain include:
- Cavities
- Abscessed Teeth
- Wisdom Tooth Growth
- Gum Disease
- Missing or Misaligned Teeth
- Tooth Clenching
When Should You See a Dentist?
While one-sided jaw pain typically isn’t serious, it can point to a severe health issue. Therefore, visit your local dentist if the ache lasts more than a few days or recurs often. They’ll have the knowledge and tools to ease your discomfort.
Some other signs you should see an emergency dentist are:
- 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
Jaw pain on one side isn’t the worst problem, but you should pay attention to it. Therefore, remember the causes and tips above – they’ll work to keep your jaw in check!
About the Practice
EMA Dental is based in Northampton, MA. Led by its highly trained dentists, our practice offers comprehensive dentistry for the whole family! In particular, we’re able to perform preventive, cosmetic, and restorative services, as well as emergency dental care. Our office is also quite skilled at TMJ/TMD therapies. For more information or to book a visit, you can reach us on our website or by phone at (413)-731-8800 or (413)-584-44900.