Why Does My Jaw Hurt? Understanding TMJ Pain and Treatment
Jaw pain can have many possible causes, from physical injuries to orthodontic issues and infections. If you also have a headache, other pains in nearby areas, or struggle to open or close your jaws, this could indicate a problem with the jaw joints, also known as the temporomandibular joints or TMJ.
Read on for more information about TMJ dysfunction and treatments, along with other common causes and remedies for jaw pain. If you need to see a dentist urgently, book an appointment with our Mosman dentists today.
What is TMJ pain?
The TMJ joints are located on the sides of the head, just below and in front of the ears. These are the joints that enable the lower jaw to move when you eat, speak and perform other actions. However, like other joints, they are prone to strain and injury. This can result in TMJ dysfunction (TMJD or TMD).
TMJD symptoms can include:
- Pain in the jaw or TMJ, especially when moving the jaw
- Headaches or pain in the ears, neck or upper back
- ‘Clicking’ or ‘popping’ sounds when you move your jaw
- Stiffness or difficulty opening or closing your mouth
How is TMJ dysfunction treated?
If you visit your dentist with jaw pain or other symptoms and they diagnose TMJ dysfunction, treatment recommendations will depend on how severe the problem is and what’s causing it.
Treatment recommendations for minor TMJ pain may include:
- Jaw relaxation: Trying jaw relaxation exercises and avoiding putting too much strain on your jaw joints
- Dietary changes: Avoiding hard, chewy and sticky foods to avoid straining your jaw
- Medication: Taking anti-inflammatory medications or muscle relaxants if prescribed by your dentist
If TMJ dysfunction has a more serious underlying cause, treatment may involve:
- Oral advancement splint: Wearing a device similar to a mouthguard at night to help relieve jaw strain
- Dental treatment: Restoring, reshaping or straightening teeth with crowns, braces or aligners, if your TMJ issue is caused by a misaligned bite
- Jaw surgery: For more severe cases where other treatments aren’t effective
What are other possible reasons for jaw pain?
Another factor that can contribute to TMJ dysfunction is bruxism, or the regular grinding or clenching of teeth. This can put strain on the teeth and jaws, leading to problems such as tooth wear, damage and TMJ problems. Bruxism treatment may involve correcting a misaligned bite or wearing a bite splint to prevent grinding during sleep.
Other reasons for jaw pain can include:
- Oral health problems such as tooth decay, gum disease or a dental abscess
- Impacted wisdom teeth
- Infections such as mumps, sinusitis or tetanus
- Physical injuries such as a broken or dislocated jaw
Jaw pain that also involves the chest or shoulders may indicate a heart attack and needs urgent medical attention.
Book an appointment for TMJ treatment in Mosman
If your jaw is painful or you think you have other symptoms of a TMJ disorder, contact Mosman 3D Dental today to arrange an appointment with one of our experienced dentists. You can call us on (02) 9969 8610 or book online.