As you journey through life, you’ll have plenty of aches and pains. Some are nothing to worry about, while others you may want to get checked out by your doctor. One ache that people may have is jaw pain on one side of their face. There’s a variety of reasons that this may be occurring. Let’s go through some of them so you can determine the right action if you’re experiencing jaw pain on one side of your face.
One of the most treatable issues when dealing with jaw pain on one side of your face is teeth grinding, bruxism, or TMJ which all mean the same thing. It happens in your sleep where your body grinds your teeth together as you sleep. This constant grinding can result in numerous issues including filing down teeth, exhausting the jaw muscles, and even changing the shape of your face due to bones wearing down! It sounds scary, but it’s extremely treatable.
Dentists will suggest a night guard treat the jaw pain on one side of your face. This night guard will be a barrier for your teeth and protect them against the subconscious grinding that occurs during sleep due to stress and anxiety. Teeth grinding is a costly habit if not recognized. It can lead to thousands of dollars worth of repairs in your mouth. Know the signs of teeth grinding, it can include sore jaw muscles in the morning, sensitivity to cold or hot foods, and morning headaches. If you are experiencing any of these, consult with your dentist, and order a night guard to protect yourself.
While jaw pain on one side of the face may be due to teeth grinding, there are other more serious conditions that will require a visit to the dentist. Poor oral health can cause gum disease, cavities, and tooth decay. These conditions can all be addressed by a dentist who will inspect your teeth and jaw while providing a solution. Other causes for jaw pain on one side may be crooked teeth, or wisdom teeth coming in. These are two issues your dentist can help with.
Jaw pain is usually associated with minor to mild oral health issues but it can be an early warning sign for a heart attack. Please seek medical attention if you are experiencing jaw pain along with shortness of breath, chest pain, vomiting, stomach pain, numbness in your arms, or severe dizziness.
Another common issue with jaw pain on one side of your face is sinusitis. If you’ve been battling a cold or the flu recently it may have caused your nasal passages to become inflamed. These cavities along with your cheeks may experience pain from the inflammation. The good news with sinusitis is that it will likely clear up on its own. If you continue to feel pain for more than a week, it’d be a good idea to make an appointment with your medical provider.
SportingSmiles is an online dental product provider that may be able to help with jaw pain on one side of your face. By selecting the right night guard for you, SportingSmiles can craft a premium night guard to protect your teeth while you sleep peacefully. This is all done from the comfort of your home, and typically is half the cost of going to the dentist. You can browse the night guard selection of SportingSmiles to discover which night guard may be best suited for you.
