Have you ever experienced a sharp or dull pain in your jaw, making it difficult to chew or talk? Do you notice a clicking or popping sound when you open or close your mouth? Does your jaw feel stiff or sore, especially in the morning? Do you notice it on one side of the face often? 

If you answered yes to these questions, you may suffer from jaw pain caused by various factors, including TMJ disorder, clenching or grinding your teeth, and stress. But today, we will emphasize what’s causing your pain on one side of the face to help you find a helpful and effective source of TMJ relief. 

Jaw pain can happen on just one side of your jaw often, but it can also occur on both sides. Some conditions may lead to pain in one, which can move to the opposite side. This pain may result from sinusitis, oral health issues, or TMJ relief disorders. While you can deal with these causes at home, a doctor can recommend a suitable care method that can also help ease your suffering.

TMJ disorder (TMD): A Potential Cause of One-sided Jaw Pain 

The temporomandibular joints also referred to as TMJ, are on either side of the jaw, but you may experience jaw pain on one side. Your temporomandibular joint (TMJ) links the temporal bone of your skull to your mandible, or jaw bone, on each side of the jaw. Your TMJ, along with the jaw muscles, allows for jaw movements, such as:

• Chewing
• Sucking 
• Swallowing 
• Opening the mouth
• Smiling 

Temporomandibular disorders, or TMD, can cause jaw joint and muscle dysfunction. This disorder may affect one or both sides of your jaw and can result in jolting pain when you open and close your mouth while chewing or speaking. 

Disorders That May Affect Your TMJ

1. Intervertebral Disc Disorders

The disc that acts as a cushion between the jawbone and the skull can dislocate on one side of the jaw, bringing pain, friction, the jaw getting stuck open, or difficulty opening the mouth.

2. TMJ arthralgia

You may experience pain within the TMJ for different reasons, such as infections within the joint or inflammation, which can also bring bouts of pain in the jaw or other parts of the face when chewing or speaking, and you might notice popping or clicking noise when moving your jaw.

3. Bone destruction

There may be the destruction of the jaw bone in conditions such as osteoarthritis (OA) which may cause your articular disc to break down, leading to pain and inflammation in the TMJ on one side. 

Upper Cervical Care: Your Best Option for TMJ Relief

The upper cervical spine is where the topmost vertebrae of your spine, called the atlas and the axis, are located. These bones are responsible for supporting the head and neck and play a role in the alignment of the rest of the spine. If the upper cervical spine is misaligned, it can pressure the nerves supplying the TMJ, leading to pain and inflammation.

Upper Cervical Care is a gentle, non-invasive method that aims to correct misalignments in the upper cervical spine. By restoring the proper balance and alignment of the bones, Upper Cervical Care can help to province TMJ relief and improve jaw function.

Factors That Can Lead to Upper Cervical Misalignment 

• Accidents and injuries: A sudden blow to the head or neck can cause the upper cervical spine to become misaligned.
• Poor posture: Spending extended periods with poor posture, such as looking down at a computer or your phone for extended periods, can strain the upper cervical spine and lead to misalignment.
• Stress: Stress can cause the muscles in the neck and shoulders to tighten, which can put pressure on the upper cervical spine and lead to misalignment.

If you are looking for a holistic way to achieve TMJ relief, seek help from an Upper Cervical Chiropractor. An experienced TMJ chiropractic doctor can help assess your spine and determine if you have any misalignments that could be contributing to your pain. If you have misalignments, you will receive a series of gentle adjustments to restore your bones' proper balance and alignment to help you achieve significant TMJ relief.