Jaw pain/ numbness (TMJ?)

I have been experiencing a numbness sensation in me left jaw.  Only when I eat, though.  Something in the left side of my face swells up and when I touch it, it feels almost numb.  This has been going on for more than 6 mos.  But, now just last night, my jaw has started hurting.  I can forget about yawning b/c the more I open it the more it hurts.  I can eat but my bites have to be small.  This is really wierd to me.  I don't know where to go for this.  Dentist, Oral DR, Ear, nose, mouth?  What does this sound like and where should I go?

[Jerome Bogin, D.D.S.]

I would suggest you see an oral surgeon. It is a possibility that your parotid gland may be involved. This all conjecture on my part without seeing you but do get to see the OS asap.

[Killerpain]

Did you have dental work 6 months ago that may have triggered it?  Or a face or head trauma?

Be careful not to overstress the area.  There is a little disc in the jaw that can become overstressed.  Watch yourself for twitching it out of habit, or trying to pop it back in place by jiggling your jaw around, biting the inside of your check and don't chew gum.  

Avoid hot & cold.  Believe me, if you stress it, it will become excruciating.  You might want to take Advil.  I was told by the specialist Advil works on the inflammation (and pain for me) and Tylenol works on the nerve pain.  They can be taken together.

Add moist heat to help it calm down.  Put a damp towel in the microwave or get one of those heating pads that comes with a sponge you moisten and put inside.  

Probably get checked by the dentist.   Could be a gum problem, tooth problem or TMJ, could be something else.  Mention it to both your doctor and dentist.

My dentist and the specialist has been unable to help me and basically told me to wait for it to resolve on its own.