Jaw pain is most often caused by a problem with the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), the hinge connecting your jaw to your skull, or the muscles that move it. Common triggers include teeth grinding, clenching, stress and bite problems. Dental issues like an abscess or wisdom tooth can also cause jaw pain. Most TMJ problems improve with simple self-care.
Common symptoms of TMJ disorders
- Pain or tenderness in the jaw, especially in front of the ear
- Clicking, popping or grating when opening the mouth
- Difficulty opening wide, or the jaw feeling stuck
- Headaches, often at the temples
- Earache or a feeling of fullness without an ear infection
- Aching facial muscles, often worse in the morning
What causes jaw pain?
- Teeth grinding or clenching, often at night
- Stress, which increases muscle tension
- Bite problems or missing teeth
- Jaw injury
- Arthritis in the joint
- Dental causes such as an abscess, impacted wisdom tooth or gum infection
- Habits like chewing gum constantly or biting nails
How to relieve jaw pain at home
- Eat soft foods and avoid chewy or hard foods for a while.
- Apply a warm compress to tired muscles, or an ice pack for acute pain.
- Avoid wide yawning and gum chewing.
- Keep your teeth apart and jaw relaxed during the day: lips together, teeth apart.
- Gently massage the jaw muscles.
- Try stress-reduction techniques.
How a dentist can help
At Melrose Advanced Dentistry, we examine your jaw, bite and teeth to find the cause. Treatment may include a custom night guard to protect teeth and relax muscles, adjustments to your bite, treatment of any dental infection, and exercises. We can refer you to a physiotherapist or another healthcare professional if needed.
When to seek help
See a dentist if jaw pain lasts more than two weeks, your jaw locks, or pain affects eating. Seek urgent medical help if jaw pain comes with chest pain, shortness of breath or pain in the arm, as this can be a sign of a heart problem.
Frequently asked questions
Will TMJ go away on its own? Many cases settle within weeks with self-care. Ongoing symptoms should be assessed.
Is jaw clicking a problem? Clicking without pain is common and often harmless. Clicking with pain or locking should be checked.
Can stress cause jaw pain? Yes. Stress often leads to clenching and grinding, which overworks the jaw muscles.
Living with jaw pain? Book a TMJ assessment at Melrose Advanced Dentistry in Melrose, Johannesburg: 072 200 1774 or advanced-dentistry.co.za.