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Jaw Pain and TMD: Causes, Self-Care and When to Get Help

Jaw pain is often caused by a problem with the jaw joint or the muscles that move it, which usually settles with simple self-care. Here is what helps, what the evidence says about treatments, and the warning signs that need urgent help.

Updated September 2026·By the OHA editorial team·7 min read·How we write
Key takeaways
  • Jaw pain is often caused by a temporomandibular disorder (TMD), a problem with the jaw joint or the muscles that move it. The NHS says it is not usually serious and generally gets better on its own.
  • Symptoms include pain around the jaw, ear and temple, clicking, headaches, and difficulty opening your mouth fully.
  • Soft food, painkillers, an ice or heat pack, and avoiding chewing gum, wide yawning and clenching can ease symptoms.
  • Splints, physiotherapy and psychological therapies are used, but the evidence for many treatments is limited. The US National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research advises trying simple treatments first.
  • Jaw pain with chest pain, breathlessness or sweating can be a heart attack. Call an ambulance straight away.

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) connects your lower jaw to your skull. You have one on each side, just in front of your ears, the US National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) explains. Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) are problems with these joints, the muscles used for chewing, or both. healthdirect Australia calls this TMJ dysfunction.

Figures on how common it is vary with what is counted. healthdirect says nearly half of all people have jaw dysfunction at some stage. The NIDCR says TMD affects about 5% of US adults and is twice as common in women.

What are the symptoms?

The NHS lists:

  • pain around your jaw, ear and temple
  • clicking, popping or grinding noises when you move your jaw
  • a headache around your temples
  • difficulty opening your mouth fully
  • your jaw locking when you open your mouth

The NHS says pain may be worse when chewing or stressed. healthdirect adds an uneven bite, ringing in the ears (tinnitus) and swelling around the joint; the NIDCR adds jaw stiffness and pain spreading to the face or neck.

Is a clicking jaw a problem?

The sources differ. The NIDCR says clicking or popping without pain is common, normal and does not need treatment. The NHS includes jaw noises in its list of reasons to ask for an urgent GP appointment or contact NHS 111. If clicking comes with pain or locking, get it checked.

What causes TMD?

The sources list:

  • teeth grinding and clenching (NHS, healthdirect, American Dental Association). The Oral Health Foundation says this puts extra pressure on the jaw joint. See teeth grinding.
  • stress (NHS), which healthdirect says may be linked to clenching and grinding
  • injury, such as a blow to the head or face (NHS)
  • wear and tear of the joint, usually from osteoarthritis, and other joint diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis or gout (healthdirect)

The NIDCR says that in most cases the exact cause is not clear, and that genes, psychological and life stresses, and how a person perceives pain may all play a part.

Does your bite cause TMD?

The sources disagree. The NHS, healthdirect, the Oral Health Foundation and the American Dental Association (ADA) link an uneven bite or tooth alignment to jaw problems. The NIDCR says research does not support the belief that a bad bite or orthodontic treatment such as braces causes TMD.

What can you do yourself?

The NHS, healthdirect and the NIDCR all say TMD often gets better without treatment. The NHS suggests:

  • eat soft food, such as pasta, omelettes and soup (healthdirect adds: cut food into small pieces)
  • take paracetamol or ibuprofen
  • hold an ice pack or heat pack wrapped in a tea towel to your jaw, whichever feels better: frozen peas for no more than 5 minutes at a time, or a hot water bottle for 15 to 20 minutes twice a day
  • massage the painful jaw muscles
  • find ways to relax
  • do not chew gum or pen tops, bite your nails, bite food with your front teeth or yawn too wide
  • do not clench: apart from when eating, your teeth should be apart

The NIDCR also suggests gentle jaw stretching exercises, and healthdirect says a pharmacist can advise on an anti-inflammatory gel for the skin over the jaw.

Painkiller cautions

The NHS says ibuprofen may not be suitable if you have had a stomach ulcer, have asthma, a heart, liver or kidney condition, or are pregnant, and it can interact with medicines such as warfarin. Do not take paracetamol with other medicines that contain it. The NHS says not to take ibuprofen tablets for more than 10 days, or paracetamol for more than 3 days, unless a doctor advises it. Ask a pharmacist if unsure.

What treatments are there?

The NIDCR says evidence for many TMD treatments is limited, so simple treatments should come before ones that permanently change the jaw, teeth or bite. The NHS says a GP may suggest stronger painkillers, relaxation or better sleep, and may suggest seeing a dentist (if grinding might be an issue), a psychologist (if stress and anxiety are making pain worse) or a physiotherapist.

Splints and mouthguards

healthdirect and the Oral Health Foundation describe a mouthguard or splint, made by a dentist, worn at night to protect the teeth and reduce grinding. How much it helps TMD pain is uncertain. The NIDCR says there is not a lot of evidence, that a splint should not be designed to permanently change your bite, and to stop and see your dentist if it causes pain. A 2024 Cochrane review of 57 studies found a splint may reduce jaw muscle pain when chewing compared with no treatment, but the evidence is very uncertain.

Physiotherapy and psychological therapies

The NIDCR says research suggests manual therapy, where a therapist uses their hands to stretch the tissues around the joint, can improve function and relieve pain. It also says cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), which helps change unhelpful thought patterns and build coping skills, can help manage TMD. A 2022 Cochrane review of 22 studies found mixed, low-certainty evidence: CBT was no better than other treatments by the end of treatment, but may have given slightly less pain a few months later.

Medicines

The NIDCR lists prescription options including antidepressants, anti-anxiety and anti-seizure medicines and opioids, but says there is limited evidence about which work best, and some can cause addiction or serious side effects. The ADA also mentions muscle relaxants.

Changing the bite, and surgery

The Oral Health Foundation and the ADA mention adjusting the bite by reshaping teeth. The NIDCR disagrees: it says there is insufficient evidence this works for TMD, and it can make things worse. The Cochrane review said more research is needed to show whether bite adjustment helps or harms.

If simpler treatments do not help, the NHS says a specialist may discuss painkilling injections or surgery. The NIDCR says surgery makes permanent changes, should only be considered for severe joint damage or severe symptoms despite other treatments, and advises getting a second opinion.

Other causes of jaw pain

The ADA lists sinus problems, toothache, infections, arthritis, injury and gum disease, and says a dental examination, which may include X-rays, helps find the cause.

Some causes need urgent care:

  • A heart attack. The NHS says heart attack chest pain may spread to your arm, neck and jaw. healthdirect and the Better Health Channel (Victoria) say pain can be in the jaw, neck, arms or back, with or without chest pain, alongside sweating, nausea or shortness of breath, and the Better Health Channel says women are more likely to have these non-chest signs.
  • A dislocated jaw, where the jaw slips out of position and you may not be able to close your mouth. healthdirect says see a doctor as soon as possible and never put it back yourself.
Get help urgently
  • Possible heart attack. UK: the NHS says call 999 if you have chest pain that feels tight or squeezing, or that spreads to your arms, neck or jaw. Australia: healthdirect says call triple zero (000) and ask for an ambulance if you think you may be having a heart attack. US: the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute says call 911 even if you are not sure. Do not drive yourself to hospital.
  • After an injury. healthdirect says call an ambulance or go to an emergency department after a strong impact to your jaw, or if a jaw injury is followed by hearing problems, facial numbness, fluid leaking from your nose or ears, or confusion.
  • Warning signs with jaw pain. The NHS says ask for an urgent GP appointment or contact 111 if you cannot eat or drink, have frequent severe headaches, pain or tenderness at the side of your head or on the scalp, or vision problems such as double vision (its list also includes clicking, locking and jaw or ear pain). healthdirect gives similar advice.
When to see a dentist
  • Your jaw pain is not getting better. healthdirect says TMJ dysfunction that does not improve after a few weeks can lead to long-term (chronic) jaw pain.
  • You grind or clench your teeth, or your teeth look worn.
  • You have jaw pain along with toothache or gum problems.
  • You are offered treatment that permanently changes your teeth or bite. The NIDCR suggests asking about simpler options and getting a second opinion.

Frequently asked questions

Will TMD go away on its own?

Often, yes. The NHS says TMD usually gets better without treatment. The NIDCR says many cases are short-lived, though some become long-lasting.

Will a night guard cure my jaw pain?

Not necessarily. A splint can protect your teeth, but the NIDCR and Cochrane both say the evidence that splints reduce TMD pain is limited or very uncertain.

Who should I see about jaw pain, a dentist or a doctor?

Either can help. The NHS and healthdirect point people to a GP, who may suggest a dentist if grinding might be involved. The ADA says to speak with your dentist or physician.

Sources

  1. Temporomandibular disorder (TMD), NHS, accessed September 2026
  2. Heart attack: symptoms, NHS, accessed September 2026
  3. Ibuprofen for adults, NHS, accessed September 2026
  4. Paracetamol for adults, NHS, accessed September 2026
  5. Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction, healthdirect Australia, accessed September 2026
  6. Jaw dislocation, healthdirect Australia, accessed September 2026
  7. Heart attack, healthdirect Australia, accessed September 2026
  8. Heart attack, Better Health Channel (Victoria), accessed September 2026
  9. TMD (temporomandibular disorders), NIH National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, accessed September 2026
  10. Heart attack: symptoms, NIH National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, accessed September 2026
  11. Temporomandibular joints (TMJ), American Dental Association (MouthHealthy), accessed September 2026
  12. Jaw pain, American Dental Association (MouthHealthy), accessed September 2026
  13. Jaw problems and headaches, Oral Health Foundation, accessed September 2026
  14. Occlusal interventions for managing temporomandibular disorders, Cochrane (Singh and others, 2024), accessed September 2026
  15. Psychological therapies for temporomandibular disorders, Cochrane (Penlington and others, 2022), accessed September 2026

This article is general information about oral health. It is not a diagnosis or a substitute for advice from a dentist or doctor who knows your situation. If you have pain, swelling, bleeding that does not settle, or a problem that is getting worse, see a dental professional. In an emergency, contact your local emergency service.

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