If you suddenly feel jaw pain on one side, you might fear it’s a significant issue. Perhaps you have a life-threatening illness that’s undiagnosed. However, this soreness usually isn’t a sign of a severe condition. Instead, the cause is usually more likely to be something more familiar and mundane. Still, it helps to know when a jaw problem needs urgent care. Here are some common causes of one-sided jaw pain and when to seek care for it with an emergency dentist.
Common Causes of Jaw Pain
In general, jaw pain is often caused by one (or more) of the following:
TMJ Disorders
The joint that connects your skull and jaw is called the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). When its disc becomes misaligned or damaged, you can suffer from a temporomandibular joint disorder —TMD for short. This condition can lead to tenderness on either side of your jaw, as well as earaches, clicking noises when opening your mouth, and more.
TMJ disorders are often caused by teeth clenching, jaw infection, arthritis, etc.
Sinusitis
As you might already know, inflamed nasal cavities can cause sinusitis. As it turns out, though, said inflammation can cause pain in one or both sides of your jaw. To know if your sinuses are the culprit, look for other symptoms like nasal congestion, yellow or green mucus, facial swelling, fatigue, and difficulty smelling or tasting.
Oral Health Problems
Sometimes, jaw pain stems from an oral health concern. In particular, problems that cause jaw pain include cavities, tooth infections, gum disease, and tooth misalignment. If your discomfort is due to a dental issue, you’ll likely show signs of tooth pain, sensitive teeth, and bad breath.
When to See a Dentist
While most soreness in your jaw isn’t serious, pain in that area could point to a severe health issue. That said, consider seeing your dentist if your pain persists for more than a few days or becomes recurrent.
Other signs you should get emergency dental care are:
- You’re having difficulty eating, drinking, swallowing, or breathing
- You have swelling or a fever that won’t go away
- You have severe pain that goes away after a burst of salty liquid, which tastes and smells unpleasant
While jaw pain on one side isn’t typically problematic, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Therefore, remember the causes and tips above to know when emergency care is necessary.
About the Practice
Crovatto & Edwards Family Dentistry is based in Orange Park, FL. As led by Drs. Crovatto and Edwards, the practice emphasizes the kind of care that delivers just what patients need. That said, its staff offers various preventive, cosmetic, and restorative dental treatments, including emergency procedures. The team is also great at treating jaw pain with TMJ therapy. For more information or to book an appointment, you can reach them at their website or by phone at (904)-272-0800.