Any type of sudden pain can feel alarming, especially if it’s on your face. If you suddenly experience pain on one side of your jaw, it’s usually not an emergency but it can indicate that there’s an underlying health condition going on. If you’re suddenly experiencing jaw pain on one side, it’s likely due to one of the following conditions.
Tumors and Cysts
One cause of jaw pain on one side is from a tumor or cyst. Tumors and cysts are masses of tissue that usually contain fluid. Although it’s rare to experience a tumor or cyst in your jaw, it can happen. Some are cancerous and others can greatly impact your oral health by destroying bone and tissue in your mouth. If you notice any signs of a tumor or a cyst-like red or white patch, lump or growth, open bleeding sores, jaw or facial swelling, or tissue growth around your teeth, it’s important to schedule a visit with your dentist to get checked out.
Sinusitis
A more common cause of jaw pain on one side is sinusitis, or inflammation in the nasal cavity. Sinusitis usually occurs as a result of a cold or allergies. Since the condition causes inflammation in the cavities that reside behind your cheeks, it can often result in pain in one or both sides of your jaw. If you have sinusitis, you will also experience symptoms like nasal congestion, green or yellow mucus, fatigue, and facial pain and pressure. If the symptoms persist longer than a week, it’s best to visit a doctor.
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.
TMJ
The last and most common cause of jaw pain on one side is TMJ disorders. The temporomandibular joint connects the jaw to the skull. There is a disc inside the joint that separates the bones and helps the jaw move properly. When the disc becomes damaged or misaligned, it can cause pain and other symptoms like earaches, headaches, and clicking or popping on one or both sides of the jaw.
Get TMJ Treatment in Midtown Manhattan
If you suspect that dental problems or TMJ is the cause of your jaw pain, visiting Dr. Appolon for a consultation will give you an answer. If dental problems or TMJ are the cause, we will create an individualized treatment plan to reduce your pain and manage your symptoms. Please contact us at (212) 557-8668 to schedule a consultation at our Midtown Manhattan dental office today.
