Jaw very sore on right side, just below ear?

Question

Woke up three days ago with very sore jaw on the right side, seems to be getting worse. Its getting hard to chew. My ear inside is not sore. I'm not dizzy, and I can hear fine. So, I don't think its my ear. Feels like a pulled a muscle in my jaw on the right side. How is this possible when I was sleeping. I went to the walk in clinic but there was a line up out the door. I can't really find any info on the net about this. Any ideas?

Answer 1

You might be grinding your teeth in the middle of the night.

you can consult someone like your dentist for a mouthpiece
to wear at night so you don't keep grinding them.

the grinding could also be a sign of stress,
have you been stressed at school, or work?

ask a dentist or doctor about it.

Answer 2

You could just be having swollen glands and trying to be coming down with a cold,for your sore throat get a glass of warm water and add a teaspoon of salt to it,mix it up and gargle with it at least 3 times a day,the salt take the soreness out of your throat,this really works,give it a try!

Answer 3

I had similar symptoms. I went to a jaw specialist and it turns out that i have TMJ. You could be clenching (not grinding... clenching) your jaw at night, which could cause this pain. My doctor gave me a splint, (its like a retainer) to help me become more conscious of my clenching. It has helped a bunch! I hope this helps!

Answer 4

TMJ very likely. Other less likely causes: infected molar, swollen lymph node, infected salivary (parotid) gland due to mumps, other virus or bacterial infection. Rare: stone in the parotid duct.

Answer 5

it's possible that you grind your teeth at night, which has caused TMJ (a Temporomandibular joint disorder). Check with a dentist.

http://www.tmj.org/basics.asp