By Dr. Liyan Massaband, DMD, MPH · Last updated: 29 Sept 2026
Quick answer: Jaw pain on one side is most often caused by a problem in the jaw joint or chewing muscles (TMJ disorder), clenching or grinding your teeth, or a tooth problem such as an infection, a crack or an erupting wisdom tooth. Less often, it comes from an ear or sinus infection, a swollen gland or an irritated nerve. Most one-sided jaw pain is not dangerous and settles with rest and simple care. But jaw pain that comes with chest pressure, shortness of breath or sweating can be a heart attack, so call 911 right away.
Key takeaways
- Where it hurts and when it hurts are the two best clues to the cause.
- Pain just in front of the ear that gets worse when you chew or open wide usually points to the jaw joint.
- Pain you can pin to one tooth, or that reacts to hot, cold or biting, usually points to a tooth.
- Most jaw joint and muscle pain improves within a few weeks with gentle, reversible care.
- Swelling, fever, a jaw that won’t open or close, or pain with chest symptoms needs prompt care.
Why Does My Jaw Hurt on One Side?
Your lower jaw hinges on two joints, one just in front of each ear. The same side also holds your chewing muscles, a row of teeth and their nerves, your ear canal, a salivary gland and a chain of lymph nodes, all within a few centimeters. When one of them is irritated, the pain often spreads, which is why one-sided jaw pain can feel like an earache, a toothache or a headache at the same time.
In our practice, most patients who come in with pain on one side of the jaw turn out to have one of three things: an overworked jaw joint or muscle, a clenching or grinding habit, or a tooth that needs attention. The sections below walk through each cause so you can narrow it down before your visit.
Where Does It Hurt? A Quick Guide to the Location
| Where you feel it | Most likely causes |
| Just in front of the ear, with clicking or popping | TMJ disorder, joint inflammation |
| Under the ear, behind the jaw bone | Swollen lymph node, salivary gland (parotid) problem, TMJ pain spreading down, ear infection, rarely Eagle syndrome |
| The cheek muscle, sore when you press it | Clenching or grinding (masseter muscle pain) |
| Along the teeth, or one spot you can point to | Tooth infection, cracked tooth, cavity, gum problem |
| Far back of the lower jaw | Wisdom tooth, gum infection around a partly erupted tooth |
| Upper jaw, under the eye | Sinus infection, upper back tooth |
| Lower jaw, with chest, arm or back discomfort | Possible heart attack. Call 911. |
When Does It Hurt? What the Timing Tells You
- When you wake up: night-time clenching or grinding (bruxism) is the usual culprit, especially if your temples or cheek muscles feel tired too.
- When you open wide or yawn: usually the jaw joint. A click, pop or catch on that side makes TMJ more likely.
- When you chew: can be the joint, a sore muscle or a tooth. In adults over 50, jaw pain that starts with chewing and eases with rest can also be a sign of giant cell arteritis (see below).
- When you bite down, or when you release the bite: a classic sign of a cracked tooth.
- With hot, cold or sweet food: a tooth or exposed root.
- When you press underneath the jaw: a tender lymph node or salivary gland.
- Comes and goes: common with TMJ flare-ups, clenching during stressful weeks, and some nerve problems.
13 Common and Uncommon Causes of Jaw Pain on One Side
1. TMJ Disorder (TMD)
Temporomandibular disorders affect the jaw joint, the chewing muscles or both, and they very often start on one side. Typical signs include:
- Aching in front of the ear that can spread to the temple, cheek or neck
- Clicking, popping or grating when you open or close
- A jaw that feels stiff, “stuck” or can’t open fully
- Pain that is worse after a long meal, chewing gum or a wide yawn
- Earache or ear fullness with a normal ear exam
The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research notes that many TMD symptoms improve on their own, and recommends starting with conservative, reversible treatment. Learn more about how we assess TMJ and jaw pain.
2. Clenching or Grinding Your Teeth (Bruxism)
Most people who grind at night have no idea they do it. Clues include a sore jaw on waking, dull morning headaches at the temples, flattened or chipped teeth, and a partner who hears grinding. Clenching during the day, at a desk, driving or at the gym, overloads the masseter muscle and often favors one side. A well-fitted night guard protects your teeth and takes pressure off the joint.
3. Chewing on One Side or a Bite That Feels “Off”
If one side has a missing tooth, a sensitive tooth or new dental work, you may start chewing on the other side without noticing. That side then does double the work. A new filling or crown that sits slightly high can also make the joint ache within days. This is usually a quick adjustment.
4. Tooth Infection or Abscess
An infected tooth can cause throbbing pain that spreads into the jaw, ear and neck. Watch for swelling, a bad taste, a pimple on the gum, fever or pain that wakes you at night. An abscess will not heal on its own and needs treatment for the infection, often with root canal therapy or an extraction. Left alone, the infection can spread into the jaw bone (osteomyelitis) or the soft tissue of the face and neck.
5. Cracked Tooth
A crack can cause sharp pain when you bite down or let go, and sometimes a lingering ache on that side of the jaw. Cracks are often too fine to see, so a dentist tests each tooth individually. The earlier a crack is found, the more likely the tooth can be saved. Read more about fixing a broken tooth.
6. Wisdom Tooth Problems
A wisdom tooth that is coming in at an angle or only partly through the gum can trap food and bacteria. The result is pain at the very back of the jaw, swollen gums, a bad taste and sometimes difficulty opening your mouth. See our guide to impacted wisdom teeth.
7. Gum Disease or a Gum Abscess
Advanced gum disease can cause a deep ache around a group of teeth on one side, along with bleeding, gum swelling or loose teeth. A localized gum abscess can feel very similar to a tooth abscess.
8. Ear Infection
Your ear canal sits right against the jaw joint, so an ear infection often feels like jaw pain, and TMJ pain often feels like an earache. If you have ear pain with a normal ear exam, the jaw joint is a likely source.
9. Swollen Lymph Node or Salivary Gland
A tender lump under the jaw or below the ear is often a lymph node reacting to a cold, sore throat or tooth infection. Swelling in front of or below the ear that gets worse when you eat can point to a blocked or infected salivary gland, sometimes from a small stone. Both are common reasons for pain under the ear behind the jaw bone, and both deserve a check if they last more than two weeks.
10. Sinus Infection
The maxillary sinuses sit right above your upper back teeth. Sinus pressure can make several upper teeth on one side ache at once, and the pain often gets worse when you bend forward.
11. Trigeminal Neuralgia
This nerve condition causes sudden, electric, stabbing pain on one side of the face, lasting seconds to minutes. It can be triggered by light touch, talking, brushing or a breeze. It is often mistaken for a toothache, which is why a dentist is sometimes the first to suspect it. It is treated by a physician or neurologist.
12. Giant Cell Arteritis
In people over 50, inflammation of the arteries in the head can cause jaw pain while chewing, a new headache, scalp tenderness and vision changes. This needs same-day medical care because it can threaten your eyesight.
13. Eagle Syndrome (Rare)
An unusually long bone or calcified ligament below the ear can press on nearby nerves and vessels. It causes sharp pain under the ear, behind the jaw or in the throat, often when swallowing or turning the head. It is rare, and it is diagnosed with imaging.
When Jaw Pain Is an Emergency: Heart Attack
Jaw pain can be a sign of a heart attack, especially when it comes with chest pressure, shortness of breath, nausea, a cold sweat or pain in the arm, neck or back. The American Heart Association notes that women are more likely to have less typical symptoms. Heart-related jaw pain is often on the left, but it can occur on either side. Do not wait to see a dentist. Call 911.
Left Side vs. Right Side: Does It Matter?
For most causes, no. TMJ problems, grinding, tooth infections and wisdom teeth can affect either side equally. Left-sided jaw pain gets extra attention only because of its link with heart attacks, and that matters only when the jaw pain comes with the other warning signs above. If your left jaw hurts when you chew or open your mouth, and you feel otherwise well, a dental or joint cause is far more likely.
Simple Self-Checks Before Your Appointment
These won’t give you a diagnosis, but they help you describe the problem clearly:
- Feel the joint. Put your fingertips just in front of both ears and slowly open and close. Do you feel a click, a grind or pain on one side?
- Check your opening. Can you fit three stacked fingers (index, middle and ring) between your front teeth? Much less than that suggests a tight muscle or joint.
- Press the cheek muscle. Clench gently and feel the muscle bulge at the angle of the jaw. Is one side more tender?
- Notice your teeth. Does one tooth hurt when you bite on something firm, or with cold water?
- Check your habits. Are your teeth touching right now? At rest, your teeth should be slightly apart.
How to Relieve Jaw Pain on One Side at Home
For jaw joint and muscle pain, these steps help most people within days to weeks:
- Rest your jaw. Eat softer foods for a week, cut food into small pieces, and skip gum, chewy candy, whole apples and tough bread.
- Use moist heat on the sore muscle for 15 to 20 minutes to relax it. Use a cold pack instead if there is swelling.
- Take an over-the-counter pain reliever such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, following the label, if these are safe for you.
- Practice the resting position: lips together, teeth apart, tongue resting lightly on the roof of your mouth.
- Support your jaw when you yawn by placing a fist under your chin.
- Try gentle massage of the cheek and temple muscles in small circles.
- Look at your sleep position. Sleeping on your stomach or with your hand under your jaw puts pressure on one side.
- Manage stress, which is one of the biggest drivers of clenching.
Home care will not fix a tooth infection or a crack. If the pain seems to come from a tooth, or you have swelling or fever, book a visit instead of waiting.
How a Dentist Finds the Cause
At a jaw pain visit, we typically:
- Ask when the pain started, what makes it better or worse, and about sleep, stress and habits.
- Check the jaw joints and muscles, your opening range and any clicking.
- Test individual teeth for cracks, infection and sensitivity, and look at the bite.
- Take digital X-rays, and a 3D scan if the joint or a hidden infection needs a closer look.
- Refer you to a physician, ENT or specialist if the cause is not dental.
Most of this is part of a thorough comprehensive dental exam.
Treatment Options for One-Sided Jaw Pain
The right treatment depends on the cause:
- TMJ disorder and muscle pain: self-care, a custom night guard or oral splint, physical therapy and stress management. We avoid permanent changes to the bite for TMD unless there is a clear reason, in line with NIDCR guidance.
- Severe clenching: for some patients, therapeutic BOTOX injections relax overactive chewing muscles. This is an off-label use, and it is considered after simpler options.
- Tooth infection: root canal treatment or extraction, sometimes with antibiotics.
- Cracked tooth: bonding, a crown or, for deep cracks, a root canal.
- Wisdom tooth: cleaning and monitoring, or removal.
- Gum disease: deep cleaning and ongoing gum care.
- Bite problems: adjusting a high filling or crown, or replacing missing teeth so both sides share the load.
When to See a Dentist or Doctor
Book a dental visit if:
- The pain lasts longer than 1 to 2 weeks
- One tooth hurts, or hot, cold or biting makes it worse
- Your jaw clicks and has started to lock or catch
- You wake up with a sore jaw most mornings
Get urgent care the same day if:
- Your face or jaw is swelling, or you have a fever
- You cannot open or close your mouth fully
- The pain followed an injury or a fall
- You are over 50 with jaw pain on chewing, a new headache or vision changes
Call 911 if jaw pain comes with chest pain or pressure, shortness of breath, sweating, nausea or pain in the arm or back.
For urgent dental problems, see our emergency dentist page.
Getting Help for Jaw Pain in Beverly Hills
If your jaw has been hurting on one side and you are not sure why, we can help you find out. At ConfiDental Beverly Hills we examine the joint, the muscles and every tooth on the painful side, explain what we find in plain language, and start with the gentlest treatment that will work.
Book a jaw pain evaluation or call (310) 858-9212.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my jaw hurt on one side when I wake up?
Morning jaw pain on one side is most often caused by clenching or grinding during sleep, particularly if you sleep on that side or with a hand under your jaw. A custom night guard and a change in sleep position usually help.
What causes pain under the ear behind the jaw bone on the left side?
Common causes are TMJ pain spreading downward, a swollen lymph node, a salivary gland problem or an ear infection. If it comes and goes with chewing or opening wide, the joint is the likely source. If there is a lump or swelling, have it checked.
Why does one side of my jaw hurt when I open my mouth wide?
This usually comes from the jaw joint or chewing muscles on that side. Clicking, popping or a jaw that catches as it opens all point toward a TMJ disorder.
Can you have TMJ on one side only?
Yes. TMJ disorders often affect one side more than the other, especially if you chew or sleep mostly on that side or have a bite imbalance.
Can a tooth cause jaw and ear pain on one side?
Yes. Nerves from the back teeth share pathways with the ear and jaw, so an infected lower molar or wisdom tooth can feel like an earache.
Is jaw pain on the left side a sign of a heart attack?
It can be, but only rarely on its own. Heart-related jaw pain usually comes with chest pressure, shortness of breath, sweating or nausea. If you have any of these, call 911.
How can I get rid of jaw pain on one side fast?
For muscle and joint pain, rest your jaw, eat soft foods, use moist heat, take an over-the-counter pain reliever if it is safe for you, and keep your teeth apart at rest. If a tooth is the cause, only dental treatment will stop the pain.
Can stress cause jaw pain on one side?
Yes. Stress leads many people to clench their teeth, often without noticing, and that overworks the chewing muscles. Pain often flares during busy or anxious periods.
Why does my jaw hurt when I press underneath it?
Tenderness under the jaw is usually a swollen lymph node or salivary gland, often from a cold, sore throat or tooth infection. If a lump lasts more than two weeks, see a dentist or doctor.
I have jaw pain after a tooth extraction, but it’s not a dry socket. Is that normal?
Some stiffness and aching is normal for several days, especially after a lower wisdom tooth, because the jaw was held open during the procedure. Pain that gets worse after day three, or comes with swelling or fever, should be checked. Learn how to recognize a dry socket.
How long does jaw pain on one side last?
Muscle and joint flare-ups often settle within a few days to a few weeks with self-care. Pain from a tooth infection or crack usually continues until it is treated.
About the Author
Dr. Liyan Massaband, DMD, MPH leads ConfiDental Beverly Hills. She earned her Doctor of Dental Medicine from Midwestern University and her Master of Public Health from the University of Southern California. In more than 15 years of practice she has completed over 1,000 implant procedures and focuses on full-mouth restoration, complex cases and prevention-first care.
References
- National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. TMD (Temporomandibular Disorders).
- American Heart Association. Warning Signs of a Heart Attack.
- Cleveland Clinic. Jaw Pain: Common Causes and How To Treat It.
This article is for general education and is not a substitute for an examination. If you have symptoms, please see a dentist or doctor.