Jaw Pain on One Side

Jaw pain can be caused due to various reasons, most of which can be addressed by a dentist. This condition can be classified into two types, namely primary and secondary. Primary jaw pain includes the pain caused by any medical condition, which involves the jaw, whereas the secondary jaw pain arises due to a health problem in any other body part. In case of secondary jaw pain, the pain or discomfort in any other body part migrates to the jaw and the affected person experiences jaw pain, with or without additional symptoms. While most complaints of primary jaw pain can be addressed by a dentist or an ENT specialist, you may need other specialist doctors for secondary jaw pain. However, you may start with your family doctor or dentist and he may refer you to other specialists for further investigations and treatment.

Jaw Pain Causes
Jaw pain may occur on one side or on both sides, according to its cause. As primary jaw pain is caused by conditions directly involving the jaw, most of these causes give rise to jaw pain on one side only. Apart from jaw pain, there can be additional symptoms, like headaches, clicking or popping sounds from the jaw joint, difficulty in moving the jaw, difficulty in talking or chewing food, difficulty in opening and closing the mouth, grinding of teeth, soreness in the facial muscles, etc. The symptoms vary with the cause for the jaw pain. The following are some of the common jaw pain causes.

Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction
One of the common causes for jaw pain on one side is the one that affects the temporomandibular joint and is called temporomandibular joint disorder or dysfunction (TMJ/TMD). In this case, the jaw joints cannot open or close properly. The common symptoms are jaw pain, which radiates to the areas around the ear, cheek bone or neck, popping / clicking / cracking sounds from the jaw joints, headaches, difficulty in opening the mouth, etc. This condition is commonly caused by regular grinding or clenching of the teeth. Regular nail biting may also cause this condition. The treatment for this condition is decided according to the cause and severity. It can be pain killers, jaw exercises, relaxation therapies, using mouth splints or mouth guards or in serious cases, jaw surgeries. Read more on jaw surgery cost.

Trauma to the Jaw
Any type of trauma to the jaw may cause jaw pain on one side, if the injury is one side. This is one of the common examples of primary jaw pain. It can include a broken jaw or an injury to the jaw caused by bruxism (grinding or clenching of teeth), etc. This condition can be painful and needs immediate treatment.

Dental Problems
Dental problems are also among the leading causes of jaw pain and discomfort in the mouth. This includes cavities, broken teeth and teeth that have been pulled out of alignment, etc. Another dental problem that can cause jaw pain is oral surgery and fillings in teeth. Severe gum infections and gingivitis may also result in jaw pain on one side.

Jaw Arthritis
Arthritis can also affect the jaw and cause jaw pain. It can either be rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis, which has to be diagnosed properly, in order to provide the required therapy. Lyme disease can also cause jaw pain. Read more on rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.

Bony Growths
Bony growths or bone spurs around the jaw joint or around the jaw can cause jaw pain when opening the mouth. This condition may be develop in old age due to the wear and tear of the jaw joint or due to new bony growths.

Other Jaw Pain Causes
There are many more conditions that may cause jaw pain. The common among them are abscess, infection or tumors in the jaw, extraction of teeth, sinus infections, swollen jaw glands, jaw cysts, migraines, nose infections, dental surgeries, paranasal sinus infections, dental caries, cancers of the head and neck, osteomyelitis, etc.

Serious Causes
One of the most life-threatening causes of jaw pain is heart attack. Jaw pain, if accompanied by chest pain, breathing trouble, tightness in chest, nausea, left shoulder or arm pain, etc. requires immediate medical attention. All or any of these symptoms may lead to a heart attack. Osteonecrosis (dead bone) of the jaw is another fatal problem seen in patients treated with intravenous bisphosphonate medicines for osteoporosis.

All these causes may result in jaw pain on one side while chewing or talking and may affect the daily activities of the affected person. Apart from the above said jaw pain causes, there are other rare causes, like irritation of the fifth cranial nerve (trigeminal neuralgia), inflammation of the parotid gland, actinomycosis (fungal infection) and tetanus. For minor cases of jaw pain, wait for a few days and if there is no relief, approach a doctor. But, those who are affected by severe jaw pain and those with additional symptoms, must seek immediate medical attention.