Waking up with pain on one side of your jaw can be uncomfortable, especially when you aren’t sure what caused it. Maybe it hurts when you chew, you notice soreness when you open your mouth, or there’s a dull ache that seems to have appeared out of nowhere.
Fortunately, one-sided jaw pain is often caused by a relatively minor dental or jaw-related issue. However, there are several possible explanations, and knowing when to seek professional care can help you determine what to do next.
You Could Have a Dental Problem
One-sided jaw pain can sometimes originate with a tooth. A cavity, cracked tooth, dental infection, or other dental problem may cause pain that radiates into the surrounding jaw.
A dental infection may also cause symptoms such as swelling, tenderness, a bad taste in your mouth, or sensitivity to hot and cold. If your jaw pain is accompanied by these symptoms, it’s important to have the tooth evaluated rather than waiting for the discomfort to resolve on its own.
You May Be Grinding or Clenching Your Teeth
Do you wake up with a sore jaw? Teeth grinding or clenching could be the culprit.
Many people grind or clench their teeth while sleeping without realizing it. Repeated pressure can strain the muscles around the jaw and leave one side feeling particularly tender. Stress can also contribute to clenching and grinding during the day.
Your dentist can help determine whether these habits may be contributing to your discomfort and recommend ways to protect your teeth and give your jaw muscles a break.
Your TMJ May Be Irritated
The temporomandibular joints, or TMJs, connect your lower jaw to your skull and allow you to open and close your mouth, chew, and speak. Problems affecting these joints or the surrounding muscles are commonly referred to as temporomandibular disorders, or TMD.
TMD can cause pain on one or both sides of the jaw. You may also notice clicking or popping, stiffness, difficulty opening your mouth, or discomfort while chewing.
You Could Have an Impacted Wisdom Tooth
Wisdom teeth can cause pain when they don’t have enough room to erupt properly. An impacted wisdom tooth may lead to soreness, swelling, or tenderness toward the back of your mouth and jaw.
If you still have your wisdom teeth and suddenly develop pain toward the back of one side of your jaw, a dental examination can help determine whether they’re contributing to the problem.
When Should You See an Emergency Dentist?
Not every case of one-sided jaw pain requires emergency dental care. However, sudden or severe pain deserves prompt attention, particularly if it is accompanied by facial swelling, fever, significant tenderness, difficulty swallowing, or difficulty breathing.
A dental infection that causes swelling can become serious if it spreads, so don’t wait for severe symptoms to develop before seeking care. Similarly, an injury that causes significant jaw pain or difficulty moving your jaw should be evaluated.
Jaw pain can also occasionally be associated with a medical emergency rather than a dental problem. If jaw pain occurs alongside chest pain, shortness of breath, sweating, nausea, or pain that spreads to your arm, shoulder, neck, or back, seek emergency medical attention immediately.
Getting to the Bottom of Your Jaw Pain
One-sided jaw pain can have many causes, and the right treatment depends on what’s behind your symptoms. Your dentist can examine your teeth, gums, jaw, and bite to help identify the source of the discomfort.
If your jaw pain is persistent, severe, or accompanied by concerning symptoms, don’t simply try to tough it out. Getting evaluated can help you find the cause and get appropriate treatment.
Your jaw may be trying to tell you something, and it’s worth listening.
About the Practice
Dr. Spiro Saati provides comprehensive dental care, including emergency dentistry for patients experiencing unexpected dental problems. Dr. Saati nd his team focus on addressing urgent dental concerns while helping patients understand their treatment options and maintain their oral health.
Call us at (978) 531-2185 or schedule your appointment online