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Posted on 11/30/2019 by Young Jun DDS MD FACS |
 When some people experience jaw pain, they experience across both sides of their jaw. There are others that experience pain on only one side of the jaw. Understanding why this is possible can help determine the cause of the pain in the jaw and can help decide what the best type of treatment is. The goal is to stop the pain and not cause any other problems. Different Causes for Jaw PainThere are several different reasons for pain in the jaw. They range from chronic conditions to traumatic injury. One of the most common causes for jaw pain is TMJ disorders. The TMJ is the joint that connects the jaw to the skull. It is on both sides of the jaw, but when aggravated can cause pain on one or both sides of the jaw. Another cause for jaw pain is sinusitis. Sinusitis is an inflammation of the nasal cavities. The sinus cavities behind the cheeks can become inflamed because of sinusitis. When this happens, they can lead to pain in the jaw. It can also happen on one or both sides of the jaw. Issues with the teeth or gums can also lead to pain in the jaw. The pain from an abscess, cavity or some other dental issue. The pain from the dental issue can radiate to the jaw on one side of the head. What Jaw Pain MeansAs important as it is to understand how you can feel pain on one side of your jaw, it is also important to understand what it means. Pain in any part of the body is a sign that something is not right. When there is pain in the jaw, you need to look for the reason you feel it. The pain may mean something is wrong that is easy to fix, or it could be a sign of a serious problem. Along with the causes listed above, jaw pain on one side is an early warning sign of a heart attack. Although this is rare, it is something to know about. Whenever you feel any pain in your teeth, gums or jaw, contact our office to schedule an appointment to figure out what is going on. |
