Waking up with jaw pain on just one side can be strange—and frustrating. Is it a simple muscle strain, or is something more serious going on? If your jaw feels sore, stiff, or achy on only one side, there are several possible explanations, but which one fits your situation? Continue reading to learn what might be causing the discomfort and when to see a dentist for relief.
TMJ Disorder
Your temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is the hinge that connects your jaw to your skull. When it becomes irritated or overworked, it can cause pain on one or both sides of your jaw. If you experience clicking or popping sounds, pain on or near the side of your forehead or find chewing difficult, your TMJ could be the culprit.
Luckily, dentists have multiple treatments for dealing with tricky TMD, such as night guards. These appliances protect your teeth and help align your jaw while you sleep, relieving jaw strain.
Teeth Grinding
Bruxism, or teeth grinding, is another likely cause of one-sided jaw pain, especially if you do it while asleep. This condition causes you to clench your jaw repeatedly as you rest. Depending on your sleeping position and tooth alignment, this may cause one side of your jaw to hurt more than the other.
If you feel your jaw pain the most after you wake up or experience frequent tooth sensitivity, it could be bruxism. Wearing a tailor-made nightguard can help protect your teeth and ease jaw pain caused by grinding.
Sinus Pressure
Your face is connected in ways you may not think of. For example, your upper jaw sits right below your sinuses. So, when they become inflamed due to a cold, allergies, or infection, it can feel like jaw pain. This is especially true if one side of your nose tends to become more obstructed than the other.
If sinus issues are causing your jaw pain, taking generic allergy or sinus medication might clear it up unless it’s infected. Then, you’ll need to see a doctor or sinus specialist for antibiotics and other treatment.
Injury or Strain
Sometimes, the simplest explanation is the most likely. One-sided jaw pain can result from overuse or strain. For example, chewing on one side of your mouth more than the other or a sudden impact can put stress on the muscles, joints, and bones in your jaw.
If you don’t exhibit symptoms of any other issues, you might just need to give your jaw a break. A warm compress, gentle massage, soft foods, and plenty of rest are the keys to recovery in the face of muscle strain.
Mild jaw pain may go away on its own, but if your discomfort is severe or simply won’t go away, it’s time to see a dentist. They can help figure out the cause and recommend the best treatment to get you back to smiling in comfort.
About the Author
If you need relief from constant jaw pain, Dr. Admasu Gizachew has the knowledge and the technology to help you find relief. He earned his dental doctorate from New Yorn University and is consistently named one of New Jersey’s top dentists. With his compassionate nature and dedication to modern dental technology, Dr. G continually delivers quality results. Call (732) 475-7535 to schedule a jaw pain consultation at Nu Dental Brick or visit our website to explore other services.