What could cause numbness on the right side of my face and jaw?

Reviewed by Yoshinori Abe, MD

Internal Medicine

Right-sided facial and jaw numbness is commonly caused by trigeminal nerve damage, carotid artery issues, sinus infections, dental problems, or, less often, stroke or multiple sclerosis. Sudden numbness—especially with weakness, slurred speech, or vision changes—is a medical emergency requiring immediate care.

Because facial numbness can stem from causes ranging from minor nerve irritation to serious neurological conditions, identifying the likely trigger early is key to getting the right treatment. A free, instant, online symptom check can help you clarify possible causes based on your specific symptoms and guide you toward the appropriate next steps—whether that's monitoring at home, seeing a dentist, or seeking urgent medical evaluation.

Reviewed for medical accuracy: 07/14/2026

Important Next Steps

Understand what’s causing your facial numbness Discover if your right jaw numbness is serious Find out if facial numbness needs care now See OTC options for facial numbness relief Find a doctor for facial nerve symptoms Learn medically valid home remedies for numbness Check likely causes of your face numbness

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Explanation

Feeling numbness on one side of your face and jaw can be concerning. There are a few potential reasons for this based on medical literature.

Carotid Artery Issues: According to research, problems with the carotid artery, which supplies blood to the face and brain, can lead to facial numbness. This is because any disruption in blood flow can affect how nerves function in that area.
Silent Sinus Syndrome: Another possible cause is a condition called Silent Sinus Syndrome. This happens when there are changes in the sinus that can affect the surrounding areas, including the nerves in the face, leading to numbness.
Nerve Damage: Lastly, nerve damage, particularly to the trigeminal nerve, can cause facial numbness. This could happen after certain medical procedures like Gamma Knife surgery, which is used to treat brain conditions.

If you are experiencing facial numbness, it is important to seek medical advice to understand the underlying cause and receive appropriate care. You can start by taking our free AI symptom checker to help identify what might be causing your symptoms and determine the best next steps for your health.

(References)

Francis KR, Williams DP, & Troost BT. (1987). Facial numbness and dysesthesia. New features of carotid .... Archives of neurology, 3827688.
Tribich S, Mahoney CJ, & Davies NW. (2018). Silent sinus syndrome: an unusual case of facial numbness. Practical neurology, 30030411.
Matsuda S, Nagano O, Serizawa T, Higuchi Y, & Ono J. (2010). Trigeminal nerve dysfunction after Gamma Knife surgery .... Journal of neurosurgery, 21121801.

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