I need help with jaw pain

Discover the causes of jaw pain and how to treat them

Jaw pain can disrupt your daily life, making it hard to eat, sleep, or focus on work.

How do I know I have jaw pain?

As the name suggests, jaw pain starts in the muscles that control your jaw but can also spread to your ear and other parts of your face. In some cases, you might also develop a headache or sore neck. Other potential symptoms include tension, pressure, or tightness in your jaw, which might make clicking or popping sounds, or lock up when you try to move it. Jaw pain can range from mild to severe and affect one or both sides of your mouth. It may be constant, or only occur when you are actively using your jaw muscles.

Why do I have jaw pain?

Jaw pain can have several causes. If you have been chewing a lot of tough food or gum, you may develop temporary soreness through overuse of the muscles (much like your legs hurt after exercise, for example). More commonly, jaw pain is caused by temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ), which affects the joint where your jaw connects to your skull. TMJ can stem from an injury, arthritis, genetic factors, tooth grinding, or jaw clenching. It’s important to see your dentist to work out what is making your jaw hurt.

What treatments are available for jaw pain?

Persistent jaw pain is disruptive and distressing. We have a range of treatments that can provide fast, effective relief.

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An attractive woman smiles confidently, showing her healthy and strong teeth after a visit to dentist, Dr Dave Richards, of Natural Smile Dental St Heliers, Auckland.
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Common questions about jaw pain

  • The most common cause of jaw pain is a problem with your temporomandibular joint, but it could also be caused by excessive chewing, impacted wisdom teeth, dental infection, sinus infection, or misalignment of your teeth or jaw. Discovering the cause of your pain is the key to effective treatment, so it’s important to see your dentist for an accurate diagnosis.

  • There are some things you can do at home to temporarily alleviate jaw pain, such as taking over-the-counter pain relief, applying moist heat (like a hot flannel), eating soft foods, and gently exercising your temporomandibular joint. However, long-term relief will require treating the source of the pain, so it’s best to see your dentist as soon as possible.

  • You can greatly reduce your risk of developing jaw pain by keeping on top of your oral hygiene and getting regular dental check-ups. Your dentist will be able to spot potential causes of jaw pain, such as impacted wisdom teeth or dental infection, and treat them before they become a major problem.

  • Successfully eliminating your jaw pain will depend on what is causing it. If it’s because of a dental issue, treating that will cure the pain. If it’s caused by TMJ, you might need to wear a night guard to prevent jaw clenching or do regular exercises to relax your jaw muscles. We’ll make sure you get the correct treatment to relieve your pain as soon as possible.

  • If you develop new jaw pain that lasts longer than a couple of days, we recommend you come and see us for a check-up. If the pain is sudden and severe, seek emergency dental treatment. The sooner you come to see us, the quicker we can help you.

  • Because the causes of jaw pain can vary, it’s difficult to say how much your treatment will cost before you have been for an examination. Once we have determined why your jaw is hurting, we’ll develop a treatment plan and give you a quote that covers all the costs.