The experience of jaw pain can be unique as you may wonder whether the problem is rooted in the joints and muscles or in a dental issue. While this pain is not uncommon, it may feel more alarming when you have pain on only one side of your jaw. There are multiple potential reasons for one-sided jaw pain, and luckily most of them are not serious and can be addressed with simple home treatment or physical therapy services.
When to Worry About Jaw Pain
The jaw is made up of multiple joints, along with muscles that help with movement. Each piece of the jaw is important to enable chewing, talking, and other movements of the face. The joints that allow the lower jaw to move smoothly are called temporomandibular joints (TMJs), while the mandible is the term for the lower jaw that supports the bottom row of teeth and gives shape to the face and chin. As the mouth opens and closes, the mandible is what moves. The upper jaw is called the maxilla, which holds the upper teeth, shapes the middle face, and gives support to the nose. When a jaw is working properly, you will have a good bite, which means the upper and lower teeth are straight and fit together properly.
The lower jaw also controls the tongue, which moves freely during eating and speaking. The upper jaw shapes the floor of the nasal cavity to allow normal airflow. Generally, muscles are evenly developed on each side of the face. When one part of the jaw is out of alignment or the muscles are not evenly developed, it can lead to pain and problems with chewing, speaking, breathing, and appearance.
Pain on one side of the jaw is typically a sign of these misalignments and related conditions. While these should always be addressed by a medical professional, they are not causes for urgent concern in most cases. However, in rare cases, jaw pain may be an early sign of a heart attack, especially in women. If one-sided jaw pain is accompanied by pain or pressure in the chest, tightness in the arms, shortness of breath, or fatigue, you should seek emergency care.
Depending on the root cause of jaw pain, you may work with a chiropractor, physical therapist, or dentist to repair any issues.
Characteristics of Jaw Pain
Jaw pain can be a vague symptom, with the exact manifestation varying depending on the cause and your own physical characteristics. When any of the following symptoms are present on one side, it is considered jaw pain:
- Aching pain in the jaw, ear, and/or face. This may worsen when chewing or opening and closing the mouth.
- Clicking, popping, and grinding sounds in the TMJ, or the joint right in front of your ear.
- Locking or sticking of the TMJ.
- Frequent headaches.
- Uneven appearance of the teeth and bite.
While anyone can be impacted by jaw pain, women between 30 and 50 are the most commonly affected group. Those with a habit of chewing gum, who have orthodontic braces, or who have forward head posture are also at risk.
Causes of Jaw Pain on One Side
The most common causes of jaw pain relate to inflammation and dental infections, though there can be many other reasons for the condition. Below are some common underlying factors.
TMJ Disorders
Disorders of the temporomandibular joint, or TMJ, affect the joint that connects your jaw and your skull. A disc sits between the bones in this joint, helping it to move properly. When the disc is misaligned or the joint is damaged, it can cause pain and other symptoms on one or both sides of the face. Tenderness around the jaw, earaches, a popping or clicking sound when chewing, and a locking up of the joint are all commonly associated with TMJ issues.
TMJ disorders can be caused by multiple factors, including damage to the tissue, teeth, and cartilage. Arthritis is also often linked to these symptoms. People who suffer from anxiety, grind their teeth, or clench the jaw are also commonly impacted.
Sinusitis
Inflammation of the nasal cavities in response to illness or allergies can cause sinusitis. When the cavities behind your cheeks are inflamed, it can present as pain in the jaw on one or both sides. Other symptoms of this condition include nasal congestion, mucus draining from the nose and throat, pressure and pain in the face or the ears and head, fatigue, and trouble smelling and tasting.
Sinusitis usually clears up on its own once the underlying cause resolves, but if symptoms like jaw pain last more than a week, it should be evaluated.
Tooth Abscess
When a bacterial infection occurs in the tooth, it can cause a collection of infected material to form in the center of the tooth. This is called an abscess and can require immediate dental care. Along with tooth pain, pain that spreads to the jaw and causes swelling and stiffness is a sign of an abscess, especially if the infection spreads. An abscess can also affect breathing if it is not treated immediately.
Other Dental Problems
Many issues caused by dental and oral health concerns manifest in jaw pain. These can include cavities, wisdom teeth growth or infection, gum disease and tooth decay, misaligned teeth, missing teeth, grinding teeth, and clenching the jaw. If a dental problem is the underlying cause of your one-sided jaw pain, you will also notice symptoms such as sensitive teeth, painful or bleeding gums, or bad breath.
Jaw Injuries
Any sudden trauma to the jaw can cause pain in the location of the injury, whether it is on one or both sides. The most common injury is a dislocation, in which the bones of the lower jaw become unhinged from the bones on the side of the head. This requires emergency treatment to put the jaw back in place. The jaw bones can also become fractured during impact.
Tension Headaches
Tension headaches are a specific kind of headache characterized by a pressure, often described as the feeling of a band around the head that gets tightened over time. These can occur randomly or in response to certain stimuli, and some people suffer from tension headaches chronically. The cause of tension headaches is unclear but has been linked to stress and sensitivity to pain.
Signs of a tension headache can include pain and tightness in the forehead, sides, and back of the head that may spread to the muscles and shoulders. The pain may also be felt in the jaw, or tension in response to the pain can cause clenching of the jaw that worsens the pain.
Myofascial Pain Syndrome
Also known as chronic myofascial pain syndrome (CMP), this is a condition where pressure on certain points of the muscles cause referred pain, meaning pain felt elsewhere in the body. It is believed this is caused by overuse from sports and repetitive motions, as well as habitual stress and tension, which leads to scar tissue in the muscles. These muscles become trigger points, which cause pain at any stimulus.
Pain is described as a deep, aching muscular pain that does not resolve with rest and may worsen. The referred pain points are often in the face, including the jaw.
Other Causes
- Swimmer’s ear, or otitis externa, is an infection of the canal that runs from the eardrum to the opening of the ear. It occurs when bacteria, fungus, or a virus is introduced to the ear, most commonly through water retained after swimming. One sign of this infection can be pain on the side of the jaw with the affected ear.
- Anxiety and related disorders can cause tension that leads to tooth grinding and jaw clenching. Over time, this causes uneven wear on the surface of the teeth and uneven pressure on the joints of the jawbone.
- Overuse of the jaw muscles for chewing and talking may leave the muscles sore and inflamed.
- Abnormalities of the jaw may cause structural problems.
- Tumors and cysts in the jaw can have an impact on oral health, causing teeth to shift or destroying bone and tissue in the jaw.
Relief for Jaw Pain
If the pain on one side of your jaw is temporary or mild, it can often be managed with home remedies until it improves. During this time, you can manage it with these methods:
- Heat. Heat helps to relax your muscles and may relieve aches and stiffness. A hot pack applied to the jaw can be helpful, or even a warm shower.
- Ice. If you are experiencing swelling, an ice pack or cold compress can offer some relief. It may also temporarily numb pain.
- Over-the-counter medication. Non-prescription options like acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil), and other options can help to temporarily relieve both pain and swelling.
- Rest. As much as you can avoid chewing and talking may give your jaw time to heal. Choose foods that are soft to avoid overworking the muscles. You can also try to alternate the side you chew on so that you are reducing strain on the side that causes pain.
- Massage. Certain massages can be done at home to help with TMJ disorders, or a massage therapist can target the jaw for relief.
- Relax. If your pain comes from grinding your teeth and clenching your jaw, focusing on relaxation or more intensive management of anxiety can relieve pain and reduce issues in the future.
- Change sleeping positions. If you always sleep on one side or with a hand under your jaw, this may put additional pressure on the muscles and worsen your pain. Switch the side you are sleeping on to relieve pain, even if this is not the cause of the issue.
- Avoid stimulants. Caffeine can often disturb sleep and increase muscle tension in the body, including the jaw. Coffee, tea, soda, and chocolate can also make jaw pain worse and contribute to these symptoms, so avoid them when possible. If you do consume caffeine, be sure to take it early in the day and practice relaxation techniques as well.
Treatment for Jaw Pain on One Side
When pain doesn’t resolve quickly, worsens, or is related to an existing condition, you should visit a healthcare professional to understand the root cause and create a treatment plan. An untreated condition could cause worse pain over time or lead to trouble with eating, drinking, swallowing, or breathing.
The treatment for your jaw pain will depend on what the root cause is, which may also dictate which professionals you need to see. It can be good to start with a chiropractor or orthopedist that will be able to perform scans and determine if there are structural issues or a dentist is more appropriate. Dental issues will be resolved by removing, filling, or otherwise treating the impacted teeth. A dentist may also be able to help with misaligned teeth through options like braces and mouthguards.
Chiropractic care can help with alignment of the jaw where it has been impacted and may be paired with physical therapy to help the jaw regain strength and flexibility where it has been lost. Physical therapy can also be used to help create a plan of exercises and habits that promote better jaw health. When necessary, medication like muscle relaxants and botox injections can be helpful.
In rare instances, surgery may be recommended to repair severe structural problems in the jaw.
The first step to finding relief from sudden jaw pain on one side is to properly diagnose the cause of the issue. At AICA Jonesboro, our team of experts will do just that through a thorough examination and use of our onsite diagnostic imaging tools. You will then work with the appropriate providers with a team of chiropractors, physical therapists, orthopedists, and pain management specialists dedicated to your care. We will create a customized treatment plan for your jaw and any related conditions with the goal of relieving your pain and returning your quality of life. Contact AICA Jonesboro today to take the first steps!