Jaw Pain on One Side: What Could It Be?
Subject: F23. I recently woke up to an unbearable pain localized on one side of my jaw. The muscles appear to be tense, making it quite difficult to fully open my mouth. That’s the extent of my symptoms for now. This is an entirely new sensation for me. After researching, I encountered suggestions pointing towards TMJ, though I've never experienced any issues like that before, nor can I pinpoint a possible cause. About a week ago, I stepped on a thumbtack, and I do have a tendency to walk around without shoes. However, I don’t have any fever at this moment. Should I seek immediate medical attention, or is it probably just TMJ and I’m overreacting? I can’t recall when I last received a tetanus booster. I’m 4'10'' and typically maintain a good level of fitness. If by chance this develops into tetanus, what are my chances of recovery?
Answers (1)
6/21/2025, 9:01:27 AM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like you're experiencing significant jaw pain on one side, which can be quite discomforting and concerning. This could potentially be related to several causes, including Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) dysfunction, muscle tension, or other factors. Here’s an overview to help you understand your situation better.
Explanation
-
TMJ Dysfunction: This condition affects the jaw joint and the surrounding muscles, leading to pain, especially during movements like chewing or yawning. Muscle tension, possibly from stress or teeth grinding (often unconscious), can contribute to this.
-
Other Potential Causes: The pain could be due to muscle strain, or in rare cases, issues from a previous injury or infection. Since you mentioned stepping on a thumbtack, it’s good to be aware of any recent injuries, but there is generally a low risk of tetanus unless the wound is deep and dirty. You would need to have been at risk—typically, if your last tetanus booster was more than 10 years ago.
Next Steps
-
Pain Management:
- Apply a warm compress to the affected side of your jaw for about 15-20 minutes several times a day.
- Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, can help reduce the pain and inflammation.
-
Jaw Care:
- Avoid hard and chewy foods to reduce strain on the jaw.
- Try to keep your jaw relaxed; practice gentle stretching movements (such as opening your mouth slowly and moving your jaw side-to-side).
-
Monitor Symptoms: Keep track of your symptoms over the next few days. Note if the pain changes, worsens, or if you develop additional symptoms such as swelling, fever, or difficulty swallowing.
-
Tetanus Awareness:
- Check when your last tetanus booster was. If it’s been more than 10 years, consult a healthcare professional to discuss whether you need a booster.
- If you develop any signs of infection, such as increased redness, swelling, or discharge from the thumbtack injury, or if your pain escalates, consider seeking medical attention sooner.
Conclusion
Your symptoms may be related to TMJ dysfunction or muscular strain. Start with self-care and closely monitor how things progress. If you have concerns or if symptoms worsen, it would be wise to reach out for further evaluation. You're taking the right steps by seeking information, and remember, most cases of TMJ improve with conservative treatment. Let me know if you have any further questions or need more specific advice!
Related Questions
Strange Jelly-Like Substance Observed from Wound
I’m a 21-year-old female living with an auto-inflammatory condition known as hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). Recently, I've experienced a concerning issue with one of my wounds. This particular wound causes significant pain and excessive bleeding. However, whenever I attend to it, I tend to find this unusual jelly-like substance present within it. Interestingly, this phenomenon has only occurred with this one wound and not any of the others I have. The bleeding seems to persist until I manage to remove this jelly substance, after which it typically slows down and comes to a halt completely. I’m seeking insights into what this might signify so that I can effectively discuss it with my healthcare provider.
Strange Stomach Sensation Leading to Waking Up
Greetings. I'm a 36-year-old male, standing at 172 centimeters and weighing 90 kilograms. I don't take any medications, nor do I smoke. I've been living with diastasis recti for several years now, and I may also have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Additionally, I deal with fatty liver and kidney stones, though I assume these last two conditions are not related to my current concern. Occasionally, I experience a peculiar sensation that jolts me awake; it feels like a quick pulsing in my stomach. I’ve noticed it tends to affect the left side when I’m lying on my left side and the right side when on my right. Remarkably, it can occur even when I’m on my back. This strange feeling often escalates into a surge that fully rouses me. Alongside this, I sometimes feel prickling sensations throughout my body and fleeting lightheadedness. When this sensation disturbs my sleep while I’m turned to my side, shifting onto my back or the opposite side might alleviate it, but not always. In instances where I awaken while lying on my back, I discovered that gently pressing my hands on either side of my stomach can help, as can rising to a sitting or standing position. However, during my last two episodes—one a couple of weeks ago and another tonight—those techniques weren’t effective right away, which made me feel a bit anxious, prompting me to seek advice. Does anyone have insight into what might be going on? By the way, I’ve undergone routine ultrasound examinations of my abdomen by two different physicians during check-ups, both of whom assured me that everything appears normal, including my abdominal aorta and internal organs. They didn’t identify any issues at that time.
Understanding Tuberculosis Exposure Risk
A 26-year-old male, who neither drinks alcohol nor smokes, seeks to understand the implications of exposure to tuberculosis (TB). As an anesthesia technician, I became concerned after I encountered a TB-positive patient about a month ago. I had to enter the patient’s room several times to perform blood gas tests. On my first entry, I mistakenly wore my N95 mask incorrectly due to the hectic nature of attending to multiple rooms. From my research, it appears that TB is quite transmissible; direct exposure can pose a serious risk of infection. Transmission usually requires prolonged contact with an infected individual, particularly in a close or face-to-face setting. In this case, the patient was lying face down and appeared to be sleeping when I entered. I have already undergone testing for TB, but I am eager to deepen my understanding of the risks involved in these situations.
24M | Unexplained Fainting Incident
**Note:** I previously shared this story, but it was inexplicably removed. I’m a 24-year-old male without any medical diagnosis or prescription medications. While I do consume alcohol occasionally, I hadn’t been drinking before this happened. Around 3 a.m., I got up from bed to use the restroom. As soon as I began to urinate, I suddenly felt a wave of dizziness. The next moment I was aware of was regaining consciousness in the bathtub, startled awake by the sensation of something dripping on me—only to discover it was my own blood. This was my first experience with fainting. When I came to, confusion set in. I was disoriented and couldn’t comprehend why I was being dripped on while in what I thought was my “bed.” Strangely, I also imagined that I was lying on a collection of marbles (which I actually don’t own)—this turned out to be the shattered glass of my shower door lying around me. I’m uncertain whether I lost consciousness first and then fell, or if the fall caused my brief blackout. It took me a few moments to understand why I was in the bathroom at all. I’m not sure how long I was out; I only remember it was around 3 in the morning when I initially got up, and about the same time when I regained consciousness. I dialed 911, and the ambulance arrived promptly. They checked my vitals, performed an EKG and measured my blood sugar, finding nothing unusual. At the emergency room, they repeated the vital checks, conducted a CT scan, drew blood, and took x-rays—yet still no abnormalities were detected. I had several cuts on my face and left arm (curiously, this is the arm that would have been turned away from the door), along with bruising around my ribs. Since the incident, I’ve been suffering from headaches and pain in my ribs. I received stitches on both my face and arm. The nurse suggested I could have stronger pain relief, but I opted for just Toradol. They eventually discharged me, stating, "We’re unsure what caused this, but return if it happens again." What might have triggered such an incident? How can I safeguard against it reoccurring if they remain uncertain about the cause?
Swelling Beneath My Chin Near the Jawline
18-Year-Old Male: I'm reaching out to any medical professionals who might provide insights into my situation. I've been using marijuana since I was 14, but now, at 17, I'm making an effort to stop and have been clean for 18 days. Recently, I've discovered an unusual swelling located just beneath my chin, behind my jaw. It causes some discomfort when I move, yet it doesn’t feel painful continuously. I'm somewhat anxious that this could be indicative of a more serious issue, especially considering it's positioned near my chin's lymph nodes. Any advice or information would be greatly appreciated as it might help alleviate my worry.