Jaw pain: causes and treatment

What are the common causes of jaw pain?

A temporomandibular disorder (TMD), affecting your jaw joint and the muscles that move it, is the most common cause of jaw pain. Dental problems are the next most likely cause. Common causes include:

Temporomandibular disorder (TMD): Caused by clenching or grinding your teeth (bruxism), wear and tear of the joint, an uneven bite, stress, or an injury such as a blow to the jaw
Dental problems: An abscessed tooth (a pocket of pus caused by infection), gum disease, or a toothache
Bruxism (teeth grinding): Regularly grinding your teeth can strain your jaw joint and muscles directly, as well as contribute to TMD
Arthritis: Inflammation or wear in the jaw joint, similar to arthritis affecting other joints in the body
Infections: Including sinusitis, mumps, which causes swelling in the glands between your ears and jaw, or tetanus.

Jaw pain can also follow an injury, such as a broken or dislocated jaw, which needs immediate treatment. Rarely, pain that spreads from your chest or shoulders to your jaw can be a sign of a heart attack and needs emergency care.

Are there different types of jaw pain?

It can help to think about jaw pain in three broad groups:

Dental pain: Coming from your teeth or gums, such as from a toothache, abscess or gum disease.
TMD: Coming from your jaw joint, the surrounding muscles, or both, and often linked to teeth grinding, stress or wear and tear.
Referred pain: Felt in the jaw but caused by a problem elsewhere, most seriously a heart attack, where pain can spread from the chest or shoulders to the jaw.

How is jaw pain diagnosed?

If your jaw pain might be linked to your teeth or gums, see a dentist first for an assessment. See a GP if the problem doesn't seem to be dental.

Your dentist or GP will ask about your symptoms, including where the pain is, whether your jaw clicks or locks, and whether you grind your teeth or feel stressed. They'll examine your jaw movement and your teeth. Imaging isn't usually needed for typical TMD, but may be arranged if your symptoms are severe, persistent, or don't fit the usual pattern.

How is jaw pain treated?

Treatment depends on the cause. Dental problems, such as an abscess or gum disease, need dental treatment. For TMD, self-care is usually the first step.

Self-care for TMD

Steps that can help include:

eating soft foods, such as pasta, omelettes and soup
taking paracetamol or ibuprofen
holding an ice pack or heat pack, wrapped in a tea towel, against your jaw for 5 to 10 minutes, whichever feels better
gently massaging the painful jaw muscles
trying relaxation techniques, since stress can make symptoms worse
avoiding chewing gum, biting with your front teeth, wide yawning, and nail biting
keeping your teeth apart and jaw relaxed, except when you're eating.

Further treatment

If self-care isn't enough, a GP may suggest stronger painkillers, relaxation techniques, or help with sleep. They might also refer you to:

a dentist, for a mouth guard or splint if teeth grinding is a factor
a physiotherapist, for jaw exercises and massage techniques
a psychologist, if stress or anxiety is making the pain worse.

If these treatments don't help, you may be referred to a specialist in joint problems to discuss options such as painkilling injections or, rarely, surgery. A broken or dislocated jaw needs immediate treatment, which may include surgery.

When should I see a doctor?

See a GP or dentist if you have jaw pain that lasts for more than a week. Get an urgent GP appointment or call NHS 111 if you have:

difficulty eating or drinking
clicking, popping or grinding noises when you move your jaw
difficulty opening your mouth fully, or your jaw locking
pain around your jaw, ear or the side of your head
frequent, severe headaches
pain or tenderness at the side of your head or on your scalp
vision problems, such as double vision or loss of vision in one or both eyes.

Call 999 or go to A&E if you think you've broken or dislocated your jaw, or if you have pain that spreads from your chest or shoulders to your jaw, as this can be a sign of a heart attack.

FAQs

Can jaw pain be a sign of a heart attack?

Rarely, yes. Pain that spreads from your chest or shoulders to your jaw can be a symptom of a heart attack and is a medical emergency. Call 999 straight away if this happens, especially alongside chest pain or discomfort.
What's the difference between jaw pain from teeth and jaw pain from TMD?

Dental pain tends to centre on a specific tooth or area of gum, often triggered by hot, cold or sweet food. TMD pain is usually felt in the jaw joint or surrounding muscles, and often comes with clicking, popping or difficulty opening your mouth fully.
Is teeth grinding the cause of my jaw pain?

It's a common contributor. Grinding or clenching your teeth, especially during sleep, puts extra strain on your jaw joint and muscles. A dentist can check for signs of grinding and may suggest a night guard to protect your teeth and ease the strain.
Can stress cause jaw pain?

Yes. Stress can lead to jaw clenching and teeth grinding, and it can also make TMD symptoms worse generally. Relaxation techniques and reducing stress where possible are often part of treatment.
Will I need surgery for jaw pain?

Most people don't. TMD usually improves with self-care and simple treatments from a GP, dentist or physiotherapist. Surgery is only considered for a small number of people whose symptoms don't respond to other treatments, or for a broken or dislocated jaw.
How long does TMD jaw pain usually last?

TMD often gets better on its own within a few months. If your pain lasts more than a week, or is severe, it's worth getting checked by a GP or dentist rather than waiting it out.