When having a sudden jaw pain, your brain may immediately ask, “Is it a heart attack?” Jaw pain on the left side or down the neck is indeed a well-known warning sign of a heart attack.
However, we can’t jump to a conclusion just by feeling the pain. There are different reasons for pain in your jaw and different types of pain that will lead you to different answers. Jaw pain usually comes from your jaw joint, muscles, teeth, or nerves. Where the pain is and what it feels like can give you important clues about the reason behind it.
In this article, we will help you narrow down the possible causes. You will learn what different pain locations mean, 8 common causes, and almost everything you need to know about the topic.
Table of Contents
What different jaw pain locations mean
Where your jaw hurts can give you a good clue about what is causing the pain. Let’s have a look at the exact spot that hurts to understand the possible cause before you read more.
| Where it hurts | Common causes |
| In front of or near the ear | Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) issues or arthritis |
| Along the jawline | Swollen lymph node, salivary gland, or tooth infection |
| Lower jaw | Tooth problems, teeth grinding, or TMJ; rarely, heart problems |
| Upper jaw | Sinus problems or upper tooth problems |
| One side only | A tooth problem, jaw joint problem, or tight muscle on that side |
| Both sides | Teeth grinding, stress, or a problem affecting the whole body |
| Jaw and ear together | TMJ, an ear infection, or a back tooth problem |
Is it your jaw joint, bone, muscle, or teeth?
Most jaw pain comes from one of these four areas:
- The joint: In this case, you may feel pain near your ear. You may also hear clicking or popping. The pain gets worse when you chew.
- The bone: If you feel a deep, steady ache, the pain source can be the bone. It usually happens after an injury and may come with swelling.
- The muscles: Your jaw may feel tired, tight, or sore. The pain is often on both sides and may be worse in the morning. Teeth grinding is a common cause.
- The teeth: When the jaw pain comes from the teeth, you may feel a severe pain near one tooth. Hot or cold foods may make it worse.
8 common reasons for jaw pain
Here are the most common causes of jaw pain. Some are mild and get better with simple care.
1. TMJ Disorder (the jaw joint)
Whenever the topic is jaw pain, you will hear a common term: TMJ disorder. So, what does it mean? The temporomandibular joint is just in front of each ear. This joint helps you open and close your mouth.
If the joint becomes swollen or strained, you may experience pain, stiffness, or clicking. When we check jaw pain, we look at how your jaw moves and ask about symptoms such as pain, clicking, stiffness, or trouble opening your mouth.
We also check the jaw joint and the muscles around it to understand what may be causing the problem.
About 5% to 10% of people have some form of TMJ disorder, according to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. Many patients tell us that stress, teeth grinding, injuries, and bite problems trigger their TMJ problems.
2. Teeth Grinding and Clenching (the jaw muscles)
When you grind or clench your teeth, it puts a lot of extra work on your jaw muscles. It often happens when you sleep, so you don’t even know you’re doing it.
Over time, this can make your jaw sore and cause headaches. It can also wear down your teeth. You may wake up with a tight or aching jaw. A custom night guard can protect your teeth and reduce the strain on your jaw.
3. Tooth and Gum Problems
A cavity, cracked tooth, abscess, or gum infection can cause pain in your jaw. Since your teeth and jaw share some of the same nerves, pain from one bad tooth can spread to the area around it.
An abscess can cause severe, intolerable pain and swelling. You need to seek dental care quickly because the infection can get worse if you leave it untreated.
Here’s more about jaw and teeth pain.
4. Sinus Problems (upper jaw)
Your upper back teeth are very close to your sinuses. When your sinuses swell because of a cold or infection, the pressure can affect the roots of these teeth.
You may feel a dull ache in your upper jaw along with a stuffy nose, facial pressure, or pain around your cheeks. When we check upper jaw pain, we also ask about these symptoms. They can help us tell if the pain is coming from your sinuses or your teeth.
5. Wisdom Teeth
Wisdom teeth are at the very back of your mouth. Sometimes, there is not enough room for them to come in properly. They can then push against nearby teeth and gums.
This can cause pain, swelling, and stiffness. You may feel the pain at the back of your jaw, often on one side.
When we check pain at the back of the jaw, we look at the wisdom teeth and gums. We check for swelling, infection, and whether the tooth has enough room to come in. This helps us decide if the wisdom tooth needs treatment.
This guide on whether wisdom teeth can cause jaw pain covers the warning signs to watch for.
6. Injury or Dislocation (the bone)
A hit or fall can hurt your jaw. It can bruise, break, or move the jaw out of its normal position. This is called a dislocation.
A jaw dislocation can also happen if you open your mouth too wide, such as during a big yawn. Pain from an injury is often sharp. You may also have swelling or trouble moving your jaw.
A broken or dislocated jaw is an emergency. You need medical care right away.
7. Arthritis
Arthritis can affect your jaw joint, just like it can affect your knees or hips. Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis can both cause pain and stiffness in the jaw.
You may also feel a grinding or rough feeling when you move your jaw. The pain gets worse slowly over time. It may also become more common as you get older. Arthritis can affect both sides of your jaw, and your jaw may feel most stiff in the morning.
8. Nerve Pain (Trigeminal Neuralgia)
Sometimes, a problem with a nerve in your face can cause jaw pain. One example is trigeminal neuralgia. It can cause sudden, sharp, electric-shock-like pain on one side of your face.
Even a light touch can trigger the pain. Brushing your teeth, washing your face, or feeling a cold breeze may be enough to start it.
People sometimes think this pain is coming from a tooth. But nerve pain needs different treatment. It is important to see a doctor or dentist so they can find the cause and give you the right treatment.
What are the reasons for jawline pain?
Pain along your jawline does not always come from your jaw joint. Sometimes, it comes from a swollen lymph node or a problem with a salivary gland. These are located under your jaw, so a problem there can feel like jaw pain.
Below are some common causes of jawline pain.
Swollen lymph nodes
Lymph nodes can swell when your body is fighting an infection. It usually happens with a cold, flu, strep throat, or tooth infection. The swollen nodes may feel like small, tender lumps under your jaw. They can usually move a little when you touch them.
Salivary gland problems
Your salivary gland can become infected, or a small stone can block the tube that carries saliva. You may feel pain and swelling under your jaw for this. The pain can get worse when you eat because your body makes more saliva.
A dental abscess
A tooth infection can cause an abscess, which is a pocket of infection. It can cause pain and swelling around the tooth and along your jaw.
Skin problems
A deep pimple, boil, or ingrown hair near your jawline can also cause pain and swelling in that area.
Jaw pain on one side
One-sided jaw pain usually comes from something on that same side. It may be a tooth problem, a jaw joint problem, or tight jaw muscles. This is common and is usually not serious.
The type of pain can give you a clue about what is causing it:
- Sharp pain near one tooth may mean you have a tooth problem.
- Pain near your ear may come from your jaw joint.
- A tight or sore jaw may be caused by tight muscles. Clenching or grinding your teeth can cause this.
If your jaw clicks on one side but does not hurt, it’s usually harmless. Learn more about jaw clicking on one side without pain.
If the pain keeps coming back, here’s how to get rid of jaw pain and get longer-term relief.
One important warning: if you have left-sided jaw pain with chest pain or trouble breathing, get emergency help right away. We explain more about this below.
Upper jaw vs lower jaw pain
Here you will learn more about how upper and lower jaw pain differs.
Upper jaw pain
Pain in your upper jaw usually comes from your sinuses or upper teeth. Your sinuses are located just above your upper teeth. When they become swollen because of a cold or infection, you may feel pain or pressure in your upper jaw.
You may also have a stuffy nose, facial pressure, or pain around your cheeks.
Lower jaw pain
Pain in your lower jaw is more often caused by a tooth problem, jaw joint problem, or teeth grinding. Clenching your teeth can also make the lower jaw muscles sore and tight.
In rare cases, a dull ache in the lower jaw can be a warning sign of a heart problem. You should be more concerned when the jaw pain comes with other symptoms, such as chest pain or trouble breathing.
Reasons for jaw pain in kids
Yes, kids can have jaw pain too. It often comes from teething, cavities, teeth grinding, or swollen glands during an illness. Most of the time, it is not serious. Still, it is helpful to know what may be causing it.
Common causes of jaw pain in children include:
- Teething or new teeth: New teeth pushing through the gums can make the jaw sore and uncomfortable.
- Cavities: A cavity can cause tooth pain that spreads to the jaw. A tooth infection can also cause jaw pain and swelling.
- Teeth grinding: Many children grind their teeth, especially when they sleep. This can make their jaw muscles tired, sore, or painful.
- Swollen glands: Lymph nodes under the jaw can swell when a child has a cold, flu, or strep throat. This is a normal part of the body fighting an infection.
Swollen glands around the jaw are common when children are fighting an infection, according to Stanford Medicine Children’s Health.
When a child comes to us with jaw pain, we look for swelling around the jaw and ask about other symptoms, such as fever or trouble swallowing. This helps us understand if the pain is linked to an infection.
When your jaw pain is serious
Most jaw pain is not dangerous, but some signs need quick medical or dental care. Do not ignore these signs. If you notice any of them, get help as soon as possible.
- Jaw pain with chest pain, trouble breathing, sweating, or nausea: Call 911 right away. These can be signs of a heart attack.
- Your jaw locks or will not open or close: You may need urgent care to check the jaw joint.
- Severe swelling with a fever: Be very careful about this one, as it can be a sign of an infection that is spreading and needs quick treatment.
- A hard lump that does not go away: See a doctor to find out what is causing it.
- Jaw pain after an injury or accident: You may have hurt or broken your jaw and should get it checked.
The heart connection is especially important to know. For more information about this and other warning signs, have a look at the complete guide to jaw pain and when to see a doctor for jaw pain.
How to deal with sudden jaw pain
You can ease sudden jaw pain in some simple ways as follows:
- Rest your jaw: Avoid chewing gum and hard or chewy foods. Do not put extra pressure on your jaw.
- Use a compress: Use something cold for sharp pain. Use warmth for a dull or sore jaw. Apply it for 10 to 15 minutes.
- Keep your teeth slightly apart: This can help you avoid clenching your jaw and putting more pressure on it.
For a full step-by-step routine, see this guide on how to stop jaw pain immediately.
If your jaw pain keeps coming back, see a dentist to find the real cause. The team at Crystal Clear Dental in San Antonio offers TMJ and TMD treatment and other treatments that can help with long-term jaw pain.
FAQs
Can jaw pain be a sign of cancer?
Rarely. Most jaw pain is not serious. But see a doctor if you have a hard, painless lump that does not go away or numbness that lasts. A doctor can check it and make sure there is no serious problem.
Can neck problems or poor posture cause jaw pain?
Yes. Poor posture can make your jaw hurt. For example, looking down at your phone or leaning toward a computer can make your neck and jaw muscles tight. This tightness can cause jaw pain.
Can allergies or a cold cause jaw pain?
Yes. A cold or allergies can block your nose and cause pressure in your sinuses. This pressure can make your upper teeth and jaw hurt. Swollen glands from an illness can also make your jaw sore.
Does jaw pain always come from your mouth?
No. Jaw pain can start somewhere else. Problems with your sinuses, ears, muscles, or nerves can cause pain in your jaw. In rare cases, heart problems can also cause jaw pain.
Is jaw pain that comes and goes less serious?
Not always. Pain that comes and goes can still come from teeth grinding, a cracked tooth, or a jaw joint problem. You should be extra careful about pain that does not stop and comes with swelling or fever.
Can some medicines cause jaw pain?
Yes. Some medicines, including certain antidepressants, can make you grind or clench your teeth. This can cause jaw pain. If you think your medicine is causing the pain, talk to your doctor before stopping or changing it.
Can braces or a retainer cause jaw pain?
Yes. Braces and retainers move your teeth, so your jaw may feel sore after an adjustment. The pain is usually mild and gets better within a few days.
Conclusion
So, that’s all about the reasons for pain in your jaw. Where the pain is and how it feels can help show what is causing it. Most causes are common, and you can get rid of them pretty easily.
But watch for warning signs. A locked jaw, serious swelling with a fever, or jaw pain with chest pain or trouble breathing needs quick medical care. A lump that does not go away should also be checked by a doctor.
If you want to know what is causing your jaw pain, the team at Crystal Clear Dental in San Antonio can check your jaw, find the cause, and help you feel better.
