TMJ Pain on One Side: Why Does It Hurt on Just One Side?

Do you ever experience pain in your jaw that only happens on one side? If so, you may have TMJ or temporomandibular joint disorder. TMJ is a condition that results from problems with the jaw joint and muscles.

While the cause of TMJ is not yet fully understood, it is believed to be caused by various factors, including stress, genetics, and injury. Symptoms of TMJ can include pain in the jaw area, headache, neck pain, and clicking or popping sounds when opening the mouth.

While there is no cure for TMJ, there are treatments that can help relieve symptoms. If you are experiencing any symptoms of TMJ, be sure to speak with your dentist about possible treatment options.

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What Is the Temporomandibular Joint?

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is the joint that connects the lower jaw (mandible) to the skull (temporal bone). It allows for movement of the jaw up and down, side to side, and forwards and backward. TMJ problems can cause pain in the face, neck, and shoulders and difficulty opening and closing your mouth.

The most common causes of temporomandibular disorder are teeth grinding (bruxism), arthritis, and traumatic injury. Other causes can include infection, tumors, or birth defects.

Is TMJ Pain Usually on One Side?

Jaw pain on one side of your face is one of the most common symptoms of a TMJ dislocation. The temporomandibular joint is located at the ends of your jaw, just in front of your ear. It is a ball-and-socket joint similar to your hip. When you open your mouth, the ball emerges from the socket. When you close your mouth, the ball returns to its socket. Your TMJ is held in place by a network of muscles, ligaments, and a cartilage disk.

TMJ pain can be on one side or both sides. If the pain is located on one side of the face, the problem is likely to originate from that side. However, if the pain is spread across both sides of the face, it is less likely that the problem originates from one specific side.

Trauma is a major cause of unequal strain on the jaw joints. You could be hit on one side of your jaw, causing serious injury to one of your jaw joints. But, ironically, that may not be the joint that causes trouble. It's also likely that if one joint is injured, you'll favor it, creating a habit of stressing the other jaw joint. The constant strain on this jaw joint might cause injury.

What Causes TMJ Pain on One Side?

There are several possible causes of jaw pain on one side of the mouth. The pain could be caused by nerve difficulties, an injury, or blood vessel abnormalities. It can also result from a dental issue, such as an abscessed tooth or a cavity.

TMJ pain may be caused by several factors, including:

•       A misaligned jaw joint (usually caused by grinding your teeth)

•       Bruxism (teeth grinding and clenching)

•       Injury to the jaw

•       Arthritis in the jaw joint

•       Stress or anxiety

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It is often difficult to pinpoint the exact cause of a person's TMJ condition. Your pain could be caused by various factors, including heredity, arthritis, or a jaw injury. The pain and discomfort associated with TMJ issues are usually temporary and can be eased with self-care or nonsurgical therapies. Surgery is normally used as a last resort after conservative approaches have failed.

One-sided jaw pain is usually not serious. However, if the discomfort is accompanied by other symptoms and there is persistent pain, you should seek medical attention from your dental healthcare provider.

How Do I Know If My Pain Is From TMJ?

The first step is to determine if your pain is actually coming from the temporomandibular joint. This can be done by checking for tenderness in the area around the joint. You can also try to move your jaw in all directions to see if any movements cause sudden pain.

If you're experiencing pain when you open your mouth wide, chew, speak, or yawn, you likely have a TMJ disorder.

However, while TMJ symptoms such as popping and clicking, jaw pain, and ringing in the ears may begin on one side, they are unlikely to be exclusive to that joint. Because the two joints are built to act together, mechanisms will eventually transfer the malfunction to the second joint.

TMJ issues can cause the following signs and symptoms:

•       Tenderness or pain in your jaw

•       Pain in one or both temporomandibular joints

•       A burning sensation in and around your ear

•       Chewing difficulty or pain during chewing

•       Aching discomfort in the face

•       Joint locking, making it challenging to open or close your mouth

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How Do You Treat TMJ Pain on One Side?

You can treat TMJ on one side in a few different ways. One approach is to use a splint or mouth guard to keep your jaw in the correct position. This will help to reduce the amount of pain and tension that you feel in your jaw. You can also try massaging the muscles around your jaw and neck to help relieve some of the tension. Additionally, you can try using ice or heat to help relieve any inflammation or pain. Finally, if the other treatments don't seem to be working, you may want to consider seeing a dentist who specializes in TMJ treatment.

Seek medical treatment if you experience persistent facial pain or tenderness in your jaw or if you are unable to open or close your jaw fully.

Get Expert TMJ Treatment in Gilbert, AZ

If you are experiencing any symptoms of TMJ disorder, Dr. John A. Garza DDS, LVIF, FIAPA, FICOI is a leading expert in diagnosing and treating TMJ issues at his Gilbert dental practice. He can help you find relief from jaw pain and other painful symptoms. Make an appointment at our Gilbert office today — no referral needed. Call (480) 539-7979 or book online anytime.

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About the Author

Dr. John A. Garza DDS, LVIF, FIAPA, FICOI has been practicing dentistry in Gilbert, AZ since 1994. He is highly trained in neuromuscular and physiologic dentistry, including the diagnosis and treatment of TMJ disorder, orofacial pain, and jaw dysfunction at his Gilbert dental practice. 754 S Val Vista Dr, Ste 106, Gilbert, AZ 85296 | (480) 539-7979 | Welcoming new patients.