Jaw Pain and TMJ: Causes, Relief and When to See a Dentist

Your temporomandibular joints (TMJ) connect your lower jaw to your skull, just in front of your ears. You use them every time you talk, chew or yawn. When the joints or the muscles around them are strained, the result can be jaw pain, headaches and clicking. Doctors and dentists call these problems temporomandibular disorders, or TMD. The good news: most cases improve with simple, conservative care.

Common symptoms

• Pain or tenderness in the jaw, especially in front of the ear
• Aching in the face, temples or around the ear
• Clicking, popping or grating sounds when you open or close your mouth
• A jaw that feels tight, tired or hard to open fully
• A jaw that briefly locks open or closed
• Headaches, especially in the morning
• A change in how your teeth fit together

Clicking on its own, without pain or limited movement, is common and often doesn't need treatment.

What causes TMJ problems

There's usually more than one factor:

• Clenching and grinding, often during sleep or stressful moments. Our post on teeth grinding and night guards explains this in detail.
• Stress, which tightens the jaw, neck and shoulder muscles
• Injury to the jaw or face
• Arthritis in the joint
• Habits such as chewing gum constantly, biting nails or chewing on pens
• Posture, including long hours looking down at a phone or computer

What helps at home

Most people improve with these steps over a few weeks:

• Eat softer foods and cut food into small pieces. Avoid gum, tough meats and very chewy foods for a while.
• Avoid wide opening, like big yawns or large bites. Support your chin when you yawn.
• Apply moist heat or cold to the sore area for 10 to 15 minutes a few times a day.
• Rest the jaw. Keep your teeth slightly apart, lips together and tongue resting on the roof of your mouth.
• Notice clenching during the day and relax your jaw when you catch it.
• Gentle stretching and massage of the jaw muscles can help.
• Manage stress with exercise, breathing techniques or other strategies that work for you.
• Over-the-counter pain relievers, taken as directed, can ease flare-ups.

How your dentist can help

At your visit, Dr. Kour will examine your jaw joints and muscles, check how your teeth come together and look for signs of grinding. X-rays or 3D imaging can show the joint when more detail is needed. Depending on what we find, treatment may include:

• A custom night guard to reduce the effects of clenching and grinding while you sleep
• Treating worn or damaged teeth that affect your bite
• Home exercises and habit changes
• Referral to a physical therapist, your physician or a TMJ specialist for persistent or complex cases

Most TMJ problems don't need surgery or irreversible changes to your teeth, and conservative treatment is the right place to start.

When to seek care

See your dentist if jaw pain lasts more than a couple of weeks, keeps coming back, or makes it hard to eat. Get care sooner if your jaw locks, you can't open or close your mouth fully, or your bite suddenly changes. Jaw pain that comes with chest pain, shortness of breath or sweating can be a sign of a heart problem; call 911.

Relief is possible

If jaw pain or clicking is bothering you, we can help you find the cause and the right next step. Learn more about our general and preventive care, then request an appointment online or call Zen Family Dental at (703) 385-2772.