Pain anywhere in your body can be frustrating to deal with. It can make certain things harder, but you might be confused about why this is happening if the discomfort is localized on just one side of your jaw. Thankfully, your emergency dentist is here to give you relief. Here are possible culprits for your pain and how your provider treats them to give you back a worry-free smile.
What’s Causing My Jaw to Hurt Only on One Side?
There are several dental and non-dental causes for a hurting jaw. These are a few common situations to know:
- Injury or trauma to your face after a blow or accident can leave aches. If you believe your oral health is affected, then your dentist can help. You can call your provider to see if it’s something they can correct, or whether you need to visit a local ER.
- Sinus infections lead to fluid buildup in the sinus cavities, which can put pressure on the upper molars. This can be felt on one side of your face, but it often goes away on its own, or you can see your physician.
- Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder is when your jaw joints are chronically strained and sore. One cause of this condition is bruxism, which is subconscious teeth grinding or clenching.
- A dental abscess is a pimple-like bump on your gums. A tooth infection can lead to this, but both are serious emergencies that can have intense pain, swelling, and fever as symptoms.
Can My Dentist Treat One-Sided Jaw Pain?
If you’re worried about your jaw pain, it’s not a bad idea to call your dentist. They will use advanced technology to find the culprit. If it’s dental-related, then you can get the fix you need. For instance, an infection may be treated with a root canal to get rid of the affected pulp; that way, you have the best chances at saving your tooth. A nightguard can be helpful with TMJ disorder.
Regardless, you should see your provider if you have any of the issues along with your one-sided jaw discomfort:
- Chills and fever
- Signs of infection, like pus, redness, and swelling
- Difficulty opening and closing your mouth
- Worsening pain
In the end, looping your dentist in can be a good idea. They will be able to let you know whether it’s a problem they can fix. If so, then great! If not, then you can understand the next steps to get back to a comfortable smile.
About the Author
Dr. Saffa Alani earned her dental degree from the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine. She is dedicated to helping patients in Denver with their dental emergencies by offering same-day urgent visits. By using state-of-the-art technology, Dr. Alani can get to the bottom of your situation and give you effective treatments. If you’re experiencing one-sided jaw pain, schedule an appointment or call her office at 303-337-3000.