Everyone experiences pain on many parts of their body, and this includes the right side of the jaw. When your jaw hurts on the right side, there are many possible causes.
Here are some of the possible reasons you feel pain on your jaw’s right side.
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Temporomandibular Joint Disorders (TMJ)
The temporomandibular joint, a connecting joint, becomes irritated or inflamed due to a variety of factors, you may experience pain affecting its right side. Chronic gum chewing is one of the most common reasons for TMJ.
When this happens, you can experience right side jaw pain, dizziness, nausea, and headaches. You may also hear creaking or popping sounds. People suffering from more severe TMD cases can have a difficult time opening and closing their mouth, an expert from Tmj.com explains.
The first step to correcting TMJ problems is resting your jaw and eating soft foods. Placing ice packs on the affected area can also help with the inflammation. Use heat packs to relax the jaw muscles. Consult your doctor regarding the use of medical devices used to treat TMD.
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Trauma
Trauma and injuries that hit the right side of your jaw can result in a minor to a severe painful sensation. When this happens, your jaw may either have sustained a bruise, fracture, or even dislocation.
Seek your doctor right away as your jaw may already have fractured. For at-home remedies, use ice compress to reduce the swelling and pain.
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Bruxism
A condition that results in patients involuntarily grinding, grating, or clenching their teeth side to side while asleep. Bruxism can also cause pain on the right side of your jaw. In most cases, stress management helps, but the use of night guards or splints should make it to your list of top treatment options.
It is important you have it diagnosed as early as possible, as the pain may already indicate something worse than just regular pain.