Jaw Pain and TMJ: What It Is and What Helps

What is TMJ, and what is TMD?

TMJ stands for temporomandibular joint, the hinge that connects your lower jaw to your skull. You have one on each side of your face, just in front of your ears, and they let you chew, talk and move your jaw.

TMD, or temporomandibular disorder, is the name for problems with those joints and the chewing muscles around them. Many people simply say TMJ when they mean TMD. NIDCR describes TMD as a group of more than 30 conditions that cause pain and trouble moving the jaw.

TMD is common, and NIDCR notes it affects women about twice as often as men. Cleveland Clinic says it is most common between ages 20 and 40.

What does TMJ pain feel like?

TMJ pain often feels like a dull ache in the jaw, the face or in front of the ear. It often gets worse when you open wide, chew or move your jaw. The American Academy of Family Physicians notes that pain tied to jaw movement points toward TMD, while pain that does not change with movement suggests another cause.

Other common signs include:

• Jaw stiffness, or a jaw that locks open or closed
• Trouble opening your mouth fully
• Clicking, popping or grating sounds with pain
• Headaches, earaches, or ringing in the ears
• Pain that spreads to the face, neck or shoulders
• Tooth pain

What causes TMD?

In many people, there is no single clear cause. NIDCR explains that research points to a mix of genetic factors, stress and life events, and how a person’s body handles pain.

Cleveland Clinic lists several things linked to jaw pain, including a jaw injury, grinding or clenching your teeth, arthritis in the joint, and stress that tightens the jaw muscles. MedlinePlus adds that poor posture, such as holding your head forward at a computer, can strain the face and neck muscles.

One common belief does not hold up. NIDCR notes that research does not support the idea that a bad bite or orthodontic treatment causes TMD.

How to get relief from TMJ jaw pain

NIDCR recommends starting with simple self-care that does not permanently change your teeth or jaw. NIDCR, MedlinePlus and the American Academy of Family Physicians suggest steps like these:

• Eat soft foods and cut food into small pieces for a while.
• Apply moist heat or a cold pack to the side of your face.
• Do gentle jaw stretches and massage. A dentist, doctor or physical therapist can show you how.
• Notice when you clench during the day, and relax your jaw.
• Practice relaxation, keep regular sleep habits, and stay active a few times a week.
• Sit with good posture, and take breaks from the computer.
• Ask your doctor, dentist or pharmacist whether a short course of an over-the-counter pain reliever, such as ibuprofen, naproxen or acetaminophen, is right for you.

What not to do during a TMJ flare-up

Give your jaw a break from anything that strains it. Cleveland Clinic and MedlinePlus advise avoiding these habits:

• Chewing gum, ice, pens or fingernails
• Taking very large bites or eating hard, chewy foods
• Yawning or singing with your mouth wide open, when you can avoid it
• Clenching your teeth during the day
• Using your teeth as tools, such as to open packages
• Sleeping on your stomach

How do I know if my jaw pain is serious?

Most jaw pain is not an emergency, but some signs need care right away. Call 911 if jaw pain comes with chest pain or discomfort, shortness of breath, pain in the arms or shoulders, or feeling weak, light-headed or faint. The CDC lists jaw pain among the symptoms of a heart attack.

Also call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room if you have:

• Swelling in your face, jaw or neck that makes it hard to breathe or swallow
• Swelling that spreads toward your eye or changes your vision
• A fever of 100.4°F or higher with facial swelling
• Bleeding that will not stop with steady pressure
• A serious injury to the face or jaw, such as a possible broken jaw

What gets mistaken for TMJ?

Several other problems can feel like TMJ pain. The American Academy of Family Physicians lists dental causes first, such as a cavity, a tooth abscess, a cracked tooth or a dry socket after an extraction.

Sinus infections, salivary gland stones, nerve pain, migraines and some autoimmune conditions can also cause face and jaw pain. Another is giant cell arteritis, which doctors check for promptly when face pain comes with vision changes or scalp tenderness.

That is one reason a dental check helps. If your pain could be from a tooth, our guides to toothache, tooth abscess and wisdom tooth pain explain the signs.

When should I see a dentist or doctor about jaw pain?

See a dentist or doctor if your jaw pain does not go away, keeps coming back, or gets in the way of eating, talking or sleeping. NIDCR recommends talking with a dentist or doctor if you think you have TMD.

A visit usually starts with your symptoms and history and an exam of your head, neck, face and jaw. NIDCR notes there is no single standard test for TMD, so a provider may order imaging and rule out other causes.

If you are not sure where to start, call our Murrieta office to talk through your symptoms. A dentist can check your bite, look for signs of teeth grinding and examine your jaw, and can look for tooth problems that feel like TMJ pain. Our cleanings and exams page explains what a dental exam covers.

Before any treatment that cannot be undone, NIDCR suggests asking about the benefits, risks and other choices, and getting a second opinion. To reach us, call (951) 677-1054 or visit our contact page.

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