Jaw pain on the right side and jaw pain on the left side of your face may be due to entirely different causes. Fortunately, you’ve found a Sunday dentist who can see you in an emergency and correctly diagnose your pain in the jaw. Treatment for the pain in your jaw may require extensive work or simple techniques designed to relieve tension. Either way, your dental providers tell you what steps to take to end your pain.
Some types of pain should never go undiagnosed or untreated. Jaw pain is a common condition that can be debilitating due to how important your jaw is for eating and communicating: two essential activities for modern survival.
Pain in your jaw can lead to long-term problems if not properly diagnosed by a dentist. Treatment varies due to the diversity of causes. The best treatment gets you back to your normal, pain-free self.
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What Are the Types of Jaw Pain?
Jaw pain can range from mild discomfort to severe agony. Because your face is held together so tightly by bones, muscles, and skin, any inflammation or misalignment can cause pain.
For the same condition, you may experience jaw pain on the right side of jaw pain on the left side. Hence, no matter how minor your pain appears to be, always consult an experienced dental specialist. Your dentist quickly diagnoses and treats your jaw pain.
How Is It Diagnosed?
A variety of factors can cause jaw pain. Some conditions can cause jaw pain on the right side, while others can lead to jaw pain on the left side. This happens when there is a one-sided issue, such as a tooth infection, trauma to one side, or localized gum disease.
Bilateral pain, or pain in the jaw on both sides of your face, occurs when the underlying cause is unrelated to the jaw. Even if your jaw pain is caused by unilateral or bilateral issues, it may be different for you. To reach a precise diagnosis, your dentist performs a thorough examination.
Whether the problem is with your teeth, bones, or muscles, or the pain in your jaw is caused by something completely unrelated, the consequences can be severe. Some of the causes of jaw pain include:
- Physical trauma
- Nerve disorders
- Blood vessel disorders
- Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) disorders
- Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD)
- Teeth grinding or clenching
- Osteomyelitis, a bone infection
- Joint conditions such as arthritis, synovitis, or capsulitis
- Dental conditions like gum disease, cavities, or abscesses
- Sinus conditions
- Headaches
What Are the Symptoms?
The most common symptom is pain or discomfort around the jaw. Other symptoms may occur as a result of the numerous potential causes of jaw pain. Inform your dentist about all of your symptoms, even if they seem unrelated. The specific symptoms you experience guide your dentist to the proper diagnosis and treatment.
The severity of the pain varies. It’s great to know you can see a dentist on Saturday if you need one. The following symptoms should be on your radar:
- Facial pain
- Pain that worsens when your jaw is moving
- Pain in the jaw that worsens over time
- Tenderness of the muscle or joint
- Difficulty moving your jaw
- It sounds when you open and closes your mouth
- Tinnitus or ringing in your ears
- Earaches
- Headaches with ear pain or pressure behind your eye
What Are the Causes?
One of the most common causes of jaw pain is a temporomandibular disorder or TMD. This is an abnormality or injury to your temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Your temporomandibular joint is made of hinge joints that open and close your mouth on either side of your face.
TMD affects approximately 10 million Americans. It is caused by many of the same factors as other types of jaw pain. Stress and anxiety can cause you to grind or clench your teeth, resulting in pain. Muscle fatigue and joint damage can result from trauma and excessive movement. Other diseases, such as arthritis and joint disorders, also play a role.
What Are the Home Remedies for Jaw Pain?
When combined with professional dental care, home remedies are often extremely useful and effective. For example, you can try eating softer foods to reduce the stress on your jaw joints and to reduce jaw movement. Avoid foods that are difficult to chew, such as beef jerky, and avoid chewing gum. If you are a coffee addict, you should limit your caffeine intake because it can cause muscle tension. Try decaffeinated tea and coffee instead to see if it makes a difference. Avoid biting your nails or chewing on pens or pencils.
Swelling can be reduced by using an ice pack. Some people find it useful to apply an ice pack to the face for about 10 minutes. You could also try moist heat to help relax the jaw muscles by wetting a washcloth and applying it to your jaw. To retain heat more effectively, the washcloth should be re-warmed several times.
Your dentist can advise you on how to perform jaw stretching exercises to improve the movement of your jaws. Even lightly massaging the joint with your middle and index fingers can help relieve tension. If stress is a factor, try to reduce your stress levels actively. Some people find it beneficial to try yoga or journaling to see if it helps.
What Are the Treatment Options?
Your dentist has a protocol for diagnosing your dental troubles. After taking a detailed history, including any surgeries you’ve had and medications, he does a comprehensive exam and may suggest additional investigations, like X-rays or blood tests. With this information, he can tell you why the pain in your jaw.
Please inform your doctor whether your jaw pain is on the right or left side. If your jaw pain requires more invasive treatment, such as muscle relaxants, mouthguards, Botox, or even surgery, your dentist will provide you with the information you need to proceed.
Left untreated, your jaw pain could lead to more severe consequences and needless time suffering. Whether you need help from a family dentist who knows your dental history or a cosmetic dentist for treatments that help you look and feel better, you’ve found the best dentist in Yonkers.
Do you have questions about the procedure of jaw pain relief treatment (pain in the right or left side)? For more information or to schedule an appointment with the best-rated family dentists, please contact our Yonkers dental clinic for consultation.
