It has been a few days, and despite spending quite a bit of time looking at your mouth in the mirror, you can’t figure out why your jaw hurts. Strangely enough, it’s just one side that’s bothering you. What could be causing this, and more importantly, do you need to see someone about it right away? Fortunately, this problem is usually not that serious, and most of the underlying causes are issues that your dentist can easily take care of.
Tooth Decay/Cavity
By the time someone is an adult, they’ve most likely had at least one cavity. While the pain caused by tooth decay is commonly described as a “toothache,” the truth is that the nerves in your teeth, gums, and jaw are very close together. So, while the source of your pain might be an everyday cavity, it can be easy to interpret that discomfort as if it is originating from your jaw.
Inflamed Sinuses
Seasonal allergies are a fact of life for many people, but did you know that inflamed sinuses can actually affect your teeth and jaw? You have two sinus cavities that sit right above your upper back teeth. If they become swollen or irritated, this can place pressure on the nearby jaw and make it seem like you have oral pain. Thankfully, allergy medication can often help with this!
TMJ
Your lower jaw is able to move thanks to something called the temporomandibular joint, or TMJ. Specifically, these are the little hinges located right in front of your ears. Similar to other joints in your body, it can develop stiffness and pain. This can stem from a misalignment of the teeth that is putting uneven pressure on the joint, or it can develop arthritis as well. Just like knees, elbows, and shoulders, a patient will typically start to have problems with just one joint rather than both of them at the same time.
So what should you do next? If you’re not dealing with allergies, you should simply give your dentist a call. They can examine your mouth and determine the reason for your jaw pain, and better yet, they can fix it! Cavities can be addressed with fillings, and there are numerous forms of TMJ therapy. The point is that one-sided jaw pain is nothing to panic about, and you’re probably closer to a solution than you might think.
About the Author
Dr. Joanne Bancroft has been practicing dentistry since 2003. After earning her dental degree from the State University of Buffalo School of Dental Medicine in 2002, she completed a General Practice Residency at the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine. She was recognized as one of Westminster’s Top 3 Local Dentists in 2019 as well as one of Colorado’s Top Dentists in 2020. Whether she is performing a general checkup or offering personalized TMJ therapy, she believes in patient-focused treatment that ensures safety and comfort. Need help with annoying jaw pain? If so, contact us online or at (720) 458-6561.