Jaw pain is most often caused by the chewing muscles and the jaw joint (the temporomandibular joint, or TMJ) just in front of the ear. Clenching or grinding the teeth, stress, an injury or a tooth problem can all cause it. Most jaw pain improves with simple measures over a few weeks. A dentist should check it when it does not settle, when the jaw locks or when you cannot open your mouth normally.
Where the pain comes from
The jaw joint connects the lower jaw to the skull on each side, just in front of the ear. A small disc of cartilage sits inside it, and powerful muscles at the side of the face and the temples move the jaw. Problems in this area are often grouped under the name temporomandibular disorders (TMD).
Common causes
- Muscle pain from clenching or grinding the teeth, often linked to stress or poor sleep. This is the most frequent cause.
- A displaced disc inside the joint, which can cause clicking and, sometimes, a jaw that catches or locks.
- Wear or inflammation of the joint, for example with arthritis.
- An injury to the jaw or chin.
- A tooth problem that feels like jaw pain, such as an inflamed wisdom tooth or an infected tooth.
Typical symptoms
- Pain in front of the ear, at the side of the face or at the temple
- Pain that gets worse when chewing, yawning or talking for a long time
- Clicking, popping or grating sounds when opening the mouth
- A jaw that feels stiff in the morning or opens less wide than usual
- A jaw that catches or locks, open or closed
- Headaches or earache without an ear problem
A clicking jaw without pain and with normal opening is common and usually needs no treatment.
What you can do at home
- Eat soft food for a while and cut food into small pieces. Avoid chewing gum and very hard or chewy food.
- Avoid opening the mouth very wide, for example by supporting your chin when you yawn.
- Apply warmth (or cold, if it feels better) to the side of the face for 10 to 15 minutes.
- Notice daytime clenching and relax the jaw: teeth apart, lips closed.
- A simple painkiller suitable for you can help for a few days. Ask your pharmacist or doctor if you are unsure.
When to see a dentist
- Pain that lasts more than two weeks or keeps coming back
- A jaw that locks or that you cannot open normally
- A change in how your teeth meet
- Pain after an injury to the face
- Signs of a tooth problem: pain on biting, swelling of the gum or a bad taste
Go to an emergency department straight away if you have swelling of the face with fever, difficulty swallowing or breathing, or if you cannot close your mouth after a yawn or an injury.
How a dentist assesses jaw pain
The dentist asks about your symptoms and habits, examines the jaw muscles and joints, measures how wide you can open, checks your bite and looks for tooth wear and dental causes of pain. X-rays are taken when they are needed. Treatment depends on the cause. It can include advice and exercises, a custom night guard when clenching or grinding is involved, treatment of a tooth that is causing the pain, or referral to a specialist when the joint itself needs further assessment.
Jaw pain: consultation at Ajam Dental Clinic in Tripoli
Ajam Dental Clinic is a dental practice on Fouad Chehab Boulevard in Tripoli, run by Dr. Abdel Rahman Ajam and Dr. Soumaya Ajam. At a consultation we look for dental causes of jaw pain and signs of clenching or grinding, and explain what can help. Patients come from across Tripoli — Al-Qobbeh, Bab al-Tabbaneh, Jabal Mohsen and Dam wa Farez — and from Beddawi, Minieh and the rest of North Lebanon.
You can book a consultation by WhatsApp or phone.
Frequently asked questions
Why does my jaw click?
Clicking usually comes from the small disc inside the jaw joint moving slightly out of place and back again. It is common. Without pain and with normal opening, it usually needs no treatment, but tell your dentist if it becomes painful or the jaw starts to catch.
Can stress cause jaw pain?
Yes. Stress often leads to clenching or grinding the teeth, which tires the jaw muscles and can cause pain at the side of the face and headaches.
Can a tooth problem feel like jaw pain?
Yes. An inflamed wisdom tooth, an infected tooth or a cracked tooth can cause pain that is felt in the jaw or the ear. That is one reason a dental examination is useful.
Will jaw pain go away on its own?
Most jaw pain caused by the muscles improves within a few weeks with soft food, rest and reducing clenching. Pain that lasts, keeps returning or comes with a locking jaw should be checked.
Have a question about your teeth?
Send a WhatsApp message to Dr. Abdel Rahman Ajam or Dr. Soumaya Ajam, or call the clinic to book a consultation.
This article provides general information for patients. It does not replace an examination by a dentist, who can advise you on your own situation.
