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Why Does My Jaw Hurt? Understanding Jaw Pain Symptoms, Causes and Treatment

Jaw pain can be more than just an annoyance — it can affect eating and speaking, and even disrupt your sleep, impacting your overall well-being. 

Whether it's a sharp pain or a persistent ache, finding the cause is crucial for lasting relief.

In this article, we’ll explore the causes of jaw pain, the best treatments for relief, and help you recognize when it’s time to seek professional medical attention.

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What is Jaw Pain?

Two bones that make up the jaw: the fixed upper jaw (maxilla) and the movable lower jaw (mandible). 

The jaw allows us to chew, talk, and open our mouths through the sliding action of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), which connects the mandible to the skull. 

Since this joint involves multiple moving parts and surrounding structures, it’s more prone to mechanical problems or wear and tear from friction between the bones. 

Overuse, injury, illness, infection, heart conditions, and psychological factors can all lead to jaw pain. 

Additionally, both the upper and lower jaw contain teeth, therefore dental issues can contribute to jaw and facial pain, too.

Jaw pain symptoms

Common symptoms associated with jaw pain can vary depending on the underlying cause, ranging from mild discomfort to more serious indicators of a health issue.

Common symptoms associated with jaw pain include:

• Headaches

• Jaw claudication (pain in the jaw that eases with rest, caused by reduced blood flow to the chewing muscles)

• Pain radiating toward the jaw, especially from the chest

• Difficulty opening the mouth

• Facial pain or weakness

• Toothache

• Abnormal sounds when moving the jaw, such as clicking, grinding, or popping

• Pain in other joints

• Fever, unintentional weight loss, and night sweats

What Can Cause Jaw Pain?

Jaw pain can arise from various conditions – ranging from minor issues that resolve on their own to more serious, life-threatening situations like heart attacks. 

In cases such as heart attacks, the pain originates in another part of the body and is felt in the jaw due to the complex network of interconnected nerves. 

Sometimes, nerves from one area of the body link to those supplying the jaw, leading the brain to interpret the pain as coming from the jaw. 

This phenomenon is known as referred pain and is common in people with temporomandibular joint disorders. One study found that more than 60% of participants experienced this type of pain.

Listed below are some of the most common causes of jaw pain:

Teeth grinding (bruxism)

Bruxism is a condition characterized by involuntary muscle contractions and teeth grinding, which can occur while awake or asleep. 

It often leads to issues like tooth damage, jaw fatigue or pain, headaches, and difficulty opening the mouth. 

Teeth grinding during wakefulness is typically triggered by heightened emotional states such as stress or fear. This behavior is not always linked to a disorder and can occur in otherwise healthy individuals.

Sleep-related bruxism is often recognized when a partner notices the grinding or after experiencing recurring jaw fatigue, pain, or headaches upon waking in the morning. 

It can be linked to certain medications, including antidepressants, antipsychotics, stimulants, and amphetamines (e.g., Adderall). 

Additionally, conditions such as depression, anxiety, sleep disorders, and neurological disorders have been associated with sleep-related bruxism. Contrary to popular belief, misaligned teeth — also known as malocclusion — is not directly associated with bruxism.

Treatment for bruxism

Treatment for bruxism is generally recommended only when it’s linked to a more serious condition or when symptoms, such as tooth damage, frequent headaches, or disruptive nighttime sounds start affecting your quality of life. 

Common treatment options include:

• Reducing or avoiding alcohol, caffeine, and smoking

• Wearing bite guards to protect the teeth

• Botox injections

• Addressing the underlying causes, such as anxiety

• Pain relief medications

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders

TMJ disorders, also known as temporomandibular disorders (TMD), refer to a group of conditions that directly affect the TMJ or the muscles used for chewing. 

It is estimated that between 5%-12% of Americans have temporomandibular joint disorders.

People with TMJ commonly experience jaw pain, difficulty opening the mouth, or unusual sounds like clicking or popping when moving their jaw. 

Some of the conditions that may be considered a temporomandibular disorder include:

• Dislocation of the joint from the skull

• Arthritis, including both rheumatoid and osteoarthritis

• Synovitis, which is inflammation of the membrane lining the TMJ that helps the upper and lower jaw glide smoothly during movements like chewing or talking

Treatment for TMJ disorders

Treatment focuses on relieving pain and improving jaw function. Depending on the severity of your symptoms, a combination of lifestyle changes, medications, and therapeutic interventions may be recommended.

Common treatment options for TMJ disorders include:

• Reducing stress  

• Limit mouth opening to a range that feels comfortable and doesn't strain the jaw 

• Physical therapy  

• Painkillers  

• Benzodiazepines or anxiety medications such as alprazolam (Xanax)  

• Long-acting steroid injections into the TMJ  

• Botulinum toxin (Botox) 

Dental problems

Various dental issues can contribute to jaw pain. Here are some common tooth-related causes:

Dental caries

Dental caries (cavities) occur when bacteria in the mouth break down sugars, producing lactic acid that erodes the teeth. 

This can result in pain, especially when the tooth is exposed to hot or cold fluids, and the discomfort may radiate to the jaw.

Dental abscesses

Dental abscesses and other mouth infections can also cause significant jaw pain. 

Bacteria from cavities can penetrate deeper into the tooth, leading to infections in the pulp. Pus may accumulate, forming an abscess, which causes severe pain in both the mouth and jaw. 

In more serious cases, the infection can spread to the tissues surrounding the throat, resulting in a dangerous condition known as Ludwig Angina, which can obstruct the airway. 

Symptoms typically include swelling, difficulty breathing, difficulty opening the mouth (trismus), and intense pain in the lower jaw. 

Treatment for dental problems

• Good oral hygiene, including regular brushing, flossing, limiting sugar intake, and using mouthwash, is essential in preventing cavities and infections.

• Surgical removal of an abscess by a healthcare provider may be necessary for severe infections. Timely dental treatment is key to managing pain and preventing further complications.

• Painkillers can relieve discomfort, while antibiotics are prescribed to treat bacterial infections and prevent them from spreading and worsening jaw pain.

Nerve-related issues

The trigeminal nerve provides both sensation and motor control to the jaw. 

When this nerve is compressed by nearby structures, such as blood vessels or tumors, it can lead to trigeminal neuralgia — a chronic pain condition. 

This condition causes sharp, electric shock-like or "pins-and-needles" pain to shoot through the area of the face that the affected nerve supplies. 

If the mandibular branch of the trigeminal nerve is involved, it can result in severe jaw pain with these distinctive, intense sensations.

Treatment for nerve-related issues

• Anti-epileptics like carbamazepine, pregabalin, and sodium valproate are commonly used to manage nerve-related pain.

• Amitriptyline, an antidepressant, is also sometimes prescribed for neuropathic pain.

• Surgical treatment may be considered when nonsurgical options have been exhausted. The specific procedure varies depending on the cause of trigeminal neuralgia.

Injury or trauma

Direct physical injury to the jaw can lead to fractures of the upper or lower jaw, causing severe pain, difficulty opening the mouth, bruising around the broken bones, or even active bleeding. 

To check for a possible jaw fracture, your healthcare provider may use a tongue depressor. You'll be asked to bite down on the stick, and they will rotate it between your teeth. 

In a healthy adult, the stick would bend or break, but if a fracture is present, this movement will likely cause significant pain or difficulty.

Treatment for injury or trauma

Treatment for jaw fractures typically involves immobilizing the jaw to allow healing. This may include wiring the jaw or using plates and screws for stabilization. 

Pain management and antibiotics are often prescribed to prevent infection. Surgery may be required in severe cases to realign the bones.

General Tips for Alleviating Jaw Pain

Jaw pain can be caused by a variety of factors. In addition to specific treatments for conditions like TMJ disorders, general approaches to alleviating jaw pain can help reduce discomfort and strain on the jaw muscles. 

Jaw pain treatment can include:

• Stress relief techniques, therapy, and adequate rest  

• Over-the-counter (OTC) or prescription painkillers  

• Nerve-modulating medications if necessary  

• Treating the underlying cause of nerve-related pain  

• Limiting how wide you open your mouth and sticking to what’s comfortable

• Taking anti-anxiety medications or managing stress in other ways

• Physical therapy to strengthen jaw muscles and improve mobility  

When Should You See a Doctor for Jaw Pain?

If you’re experiencing persistent jaw pain, it’s important to know when to seek medical attention. 

While minor discomfort can often be treated at home, certain symptoms may indicate a more serious issue, such as a broken or dislocated jaw, or an underlying medical condition that needs professional care. 

You should consult your doctor if you experience:

• Pain that persists despite over-the-counter painkillers  

• Fever, unintentional weight loss, or night sweats  

• Unmanageable stress or anxiety  

• Night-time bruxism that causes discomfort or other symptoms  

• Dental cavities (caries)  

• The inability to open or close your mouth  

• Breathing difficulties

Where Can I Learn More About Managing Jaw Pain?

If you're struggling with jaw pain or symptoms of TMJ disorder, LifeMD can provide expert guidance and help you access prescription pain medications to manage your discomfort, if appropriate. 

Don’t wait for your jaw pain to worsen before seeking help. Whether you need advice on jaw pain treatment or pain relief medications, speak to a board-certified doctor for expert guidance.

Make your appointment today to take control of your health — all from the comfort of your own home.

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