# To the doctor or the dentist? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 23, 2010, 4:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-the-doctor-or-the-dentist/561631 "2010-11-23T04:24:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Jormungandr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a6a055/32.png) [@Jormungandr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jormungandr)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2010, 4:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-the-doctor-or-the-dentist/561631/1 "2010-11-23T04:24:01Z")
I know we’re not supposed to seek medical advice here, but as I have limited funds I need some idea of where to go. For the past week, I have been experiencing pain on the right side of my jaw. This happens only when I’m eating. The unusual thing is that it only happens with the initial bite. I can be eating bread or toffee peanuts, the first bite hurts. Afterward, there’s no pain in eating, regardless of what it is or how much. However, I do have some tenderness along my jaw up to my temple. This leans me towards the dentist as I had pain in the same area when my wisdom teeth broke apart as they emerged. So, any help or guidance would be appreciated. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2010, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-the-doctor-or-the-dentist/561631/2 "2010-11-23T04:28:09Z")
Dentist. I’m guessing for some reason, that first bite is causing your teeth (or something to do with your jaw or even a cracked tooth) to shift. Subsequent bites don’t hurt since the shift already happened. You’re jaw/teeth then shift back over the next few hours without you noticing. I assume you’re generally pain free the rest of the day? ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2010, 4:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-the-doctor-or-the-dentist/561631/3 "2010-11-23T04:31:21Z")
Since the OP is looking for advice, this is better suited to IMHO than GQ. Colibri General Questions Moderator ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2010, 4:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-the-doctor-or-the-dentist/561631/4 "2010-11-23T04:31:06Z")
Since the OP is looking for advice, this is better suited to IMHO than GQ. Colibri General Questions Moderator ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2010, 4:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-the-doctor-or-the-dentist/561631/5 "2010-11-23T04:51:28Z")
go to dentist, they know about muscles, structure and nerves around the mouth and jaws. pain and sensations about dental issues can be felt in areas not close to the tooth. ---
**Author:** ![irishgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/8edcca/32.png) [@irishgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/irishgirl)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2010, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-the-doctor-or-the-dentist/561631/6 "2010-11-23T15:10:35Z")
Dentist- pain only when you bite suggests a tooth problem. Doctor only if dental exam and xrays can’t find anything- your doc would probably want to do blood tests and look into your ears at that point. Pain all the time, or pain in the jaw after you’ve been eating for a while- that suggests a medical cause and necessitates a dr’s visit first.