Woman with jaw pain clings to cheek

Pain in the jaw (jaw pain)

Pain in the jaw and jaw pain can affect anyone. Pain in the jaw and jaw joint is troublesome and can affect chewing food, quality of life and function.

Pain in the jaw can be due to several possible causes and diagnoses. Among the most common diagnoses we can mention:

Jaw tension and jaw problems occur more often in women than men. In addition to local pain around the jaw joint, it can also cause referred pain to the face, ear, cheeks and teeth. Over time, jaw tension can also contribute to the occurrence of headaches and neck pain. The referred pains can also give you pain in the face og pain in the ear.

"The article has been written in collaboration with, and quality checked by, publicly authorized health personnel. This includes both physiotherapists and chiropractors at Pain clinics Interdisciplinary Health (see clinic overview here). We always recommend having your pain assessed by knowledgeable healthcare personnel."

Tips: At the end of the article, we show you a video with exercises that are good for the jaw and neck. In addition, we go through good advice and self-measures, such as jaw trainers and relaxation techniques.

Possible diagnoses for pain in the jaw

In the introduction to the article, we mentioned five possible causes and diagnoses that can give you discomfort and pain in the jaw. Here it is important to establish early on that myofascial pain, i.e. pain from muscles and soft tissue, is the most common cause of such pain. Muscular imbalance can, among other things, lead to greater biomechanical forces working to close the jaw. This could then be due to overactivity and tension in the masticatory muscle (musculus masseter). Let's take a closer look at the five diagnoses.

1. Osteoarthritis of the jaw

Osteoarthritis refers to joint wear and tear. Over time, wear and tear changes can occur in the jaw joint which can lead to:

  • Cartilage wear
  • Jaw joint stiffness
  • Cracking sounds in the jaw (crepitus)
  • Meniscus wear
  • Reduced joint spacing

You can work actively against jaw osteoarthritis with both exercises and physical treatment. It is well documented that manual treatment techniques and exercises can reduce jaw pain, reduce stiffness in the jaw joint and lead to significantly improved movement.¹

2. Jaw tension (muscular pain)

This is the most common cause of jaw problems. Among other things, tense chewing muscles (masseters) can contribute to teeth grinding and bruxism. Very often, muscle pain in the jaw is caused by a combination of overactive and underactive jaw muscles. Our clinicians will help you uncover where the pain and stiffness originates - and address the cause directly. You can read more about how we treat jaw pain further down in the article, but it often involves a combination of physical treatment techniques (including trigger point treatment, joint mobilization and laser therapy) and rehabilitation exercises.

Pain clinics: Contact us

Our clinic departments at Vondtklinikkene (click here for a complete overview of our clinics), including in Oslo (Lambert seats) and Akershus (Eidsvoll Sound og Raw wood), has a distinctively high professional competence in the investigation, treatment and rehabilitation of pain in muscles, tendons, nerves and joints. Toe contact us if you want help from publicly authorized therapists with expertise in these fields.

3. Jaw joint pain

Here there is some overlap between the diagnoses, as, for example, TMD syndrome and osteoarthritis also involve the jaw joint. But what we are referring to in this point is pain in the jaw which stems directly from reduced mobility in the jaw joint. As mentioned in point 1 (arthrosis), physical treatment by a physiotherapist or chiropractor has a documented effect in relation to improved mobility and pain relief.¹

4. Meniscus damage in the jaw

Inside the jaw joint sits a meniscus. This sits between the upper and lower part of the jaw joint. The function of the jaw meniscus is to protect the joint and contribute to good mobility without friction. If there are wear and tear changes or damage to the meniscus, this can cause snapping, pain and noise in the jaw joint itself.

5. TMD syndrome

TMD stands for temporomandibular dysfunction. In other words, a malfunction in the jaw joint. When talking about the diagnosis of TMD syndrome, this is often with reference to the more complex and long-lasting issues of jaw pain and jaw tension. For this patient group, it is very important to get a thorough assessment, interdisciplinary treatment approach and specific rehabilitation exercises.

– Documented effect of therapeutic laser

A systematic overview study (the strongest form of research), based on 32 studies and 1172 participants, could show good results with laser therapy against TMD syndrome. Up to 80% of the studies could show a significant reduction in jaw pain and symptoms.³ This is a form of treatment that we offer to everyone our clinic departments.

Also read: Laser therapy for muscle and bone problems (link to guide at our clinic department Lambertseter Chiropractic Center and Physiotherapy - opens in a new reader window)

Symptoms of pain in the jaw

Pain in the jaw can manifest itself in many different ways. Among other things by:

  • Pain in the jaw joint
  • Referred pain to the ear, cheek and face
  • Pressure tenderness on the jaw joint
  • Biting pain and chewing problems
  • Tense jaw muscles
  • Cracking and crunching sounds in the jaw
  • Teeth grinding at night (bruxism)
  • Locked jaw (in more severe cases)
  • A feeling of having gravel in the jaw joint
  • Increased incidence of headaches and neck pain

It is the underlying malfunction, also based on which muscles and anatomical structures are involved, which also provides the basis for the symptoms you experience. This is precisely why it is so important to have a thorough functional examination.

Conservative treatment for jaw pain

Which treatment techniques are used are based on the clinical and functional findings. Treatment will often involve a combination of several methods. The main objectives will be to:

  • Break down myofascial injury tissue and soft tissue restrictions
  • Normalize jaw joint mobility
  • Establish normal muscle balance
  • Reduce muscle tension and muscle pain

To achieve these goals, it is possible, among other things, to make use of the following treatment modalities:

  • Connective tissue massage
  • Physiotherapy
  • Joint Mobilization
  • Massage and muscle techniques
  • Modern chiropractic
  • Acupuncture (dry needling / intramuscular stimulation)
  • Rehabilitation exercises
  • Therapeutic laser therapy
  • Therapeutic ultrasound treatment
  • Trigger point therapy
  • Cloth techniques

At our clinics, both physiotherapists and chiropractors perform these techniques. But as mentioned, there is variation in which treatment methods are used, as the treatment plan will be individually adapted.

Acupuncture: Clinically proven effect on the relief of pain in the jaw

Dear form of treatment has many names. This treatment technique is also known as dry needling (dry needling) or intramuscular stimulation (IMS). An RCT (randomized control trial) published in the Journal of Orofacial pain in 2010 showed that treatment of trigger points in the jaw (in this case, two needle treatments aimed at the masticatory muscle) seemed to relieve symptoms and improve function.² The patients in the study experienced improvement in the form of less pain and an increased gap rash after the treatment. The conclusion of the study was as follows:

«The application of dry needling into active TrPs in the masseter muscle induced significant increases in PPT levels and maximal jaw opening when compared to the sham dry needling in patients with myofascial TMD.» (Fernandez Carnero et al, 2010)

PPT stands for here pressure point threshold, and can in good Norwegian be interpreted as pressure sensitivity. The patient thus had reduced tenderness to pressure and a higher capacity before it hurt the masticatory muscle. If you have a phobia of needles, this muscle can also be treated without needles - then with trigger point therapy (treatment towards the active muscle knot).

Chiropractor or physiotherapist for myofascial jaw pain?

The most important thing is that the clinician you choose has good expertise in jaw problems. All our therapists at Vondtklinikkene Multidisciplinary Health have regular knowledge updates - and all of them can provide you with effective follow-up when it comes to the assessment, treatment and rehabilitation of jaw problems. Our chiropractors also have the right to refer for diagnostic imaging (if this is considered medically indicated).

"Hello! My name is Alexander Andorff. I work as a rehabilitation therapist and authorized chiropractor at Pain clinics Interdisciplinary Health department Lambert seats. I have had the pleasure of working with many wonderful people who have been troubled by their jaw. In addition, I have had a jaw fracture in connection with sports - and this produced a number of muscular tensions after the operation of the jaw joint. My experience with joint mobilisation, muscular treatment and laser therapy for jaw pain is very good. After I myself received five treatments against the malfunction, I have never had pain in my jaw or jaw muscles again. If you have questions or want to book an appointment, just contact us or me directly. You can also see the clinic overview via the link here or further in the article.”

Exercises and training for pain in the jaw

Here we will focus more on how general training of the neck and shoulder arches also has a concrete effect against jaw problems. This is because the function of the neck is directly related to the functionality of the jaw joint. In addition to the exercises we show below, you may also benefit from the program we have named 5 exercises against jaw pain.

Video: 8 exercises for home office pain in the neck and shoulders

In the video below shows chiropractor Alexander Andorff developed a training program that can provide better mobility and strength in the neck, back and between the shoulder blades.

Feel free to subscribe for free our Youtube channel (Vondtklinikkenne - Interdisciplinary Health) if you want. There you will find a number of good videos with exercise programs and treatment videos.

Tips: Jaw trainer (various resistance variants)

You may have heard of jaw trainers? These can help strengthen your jaw muscles over time. We always recommend starting with the lightest resistance first and then working your way up. Press the image or here to read more about them.

Relaxation and personal measures

There is little doubt that stress can worsen jaw tension and jaw pain. Precisely for this reason, it can be useful to know good relaxation measures, such as the use of acupressure mat og neck hammock. As little as 10 minutes each day can bring great results. The links open in a new browser window.

Tips: Relaxation on neck hammock

The famous time crunch applies to all of us in our modern society. A constant feeling of being behind affects many people, and leads to increased stress reactions in the body. It is therefore recommended that you set aside time for yourself and use relaxation techniques. To lie in one neck hammock, as shown above, can contribute to normal curvature of the neck - and is well suited for mindfulness and relaxing breathing techniques. Try to aim for 10 minutes of daily use. Can also be combined with the use of acupressure mat.

As you understand, there is also a lot many people can do themselves against pain in the jaw. But again, we want to emphasize that a thorough, functional examination can be very useful - and especially for those who suffer from long-term jaw pain and tension.

 

The pain clinics: Your choice for modern treatment

Our clinicians and clinic departments always aim to be among the elite in the investigation, treatment and rehabilitation of pain and injuries in muscles, tendons, nerves and joints. By pressing the button below, you can see an overview of our clinics - including in Oslo (incl Lambert seats) and Akershus (Raw wood og Eidsvoll Sound). Feel free to contact us if you have any questions or are wondering about anything.

 

Article: Pain in the jaw (jaw pain)

Written by: Our publicly authorized chiropractors and physiotherapists at Vondtklinikkene

Fact check: Our articles are always based on serious sources, research studies and research journals - such as PubMed and the Cochrane Library. Please contact us if you spot any errors or have comments.

Research and sources

Image (woman receiving jaw treatment): iStockPhoto (licensed use) Stock photo ID: 698126364 Credit: karel noppe

  1. Byra et al, 2020. Physiotherapy in hypomobility of temporomandibular joints. Folia Med Cracov. 2020 Sep 28;60(2):123-134.
  2. Fernandez-Carnero et al. Short-term effects of dry needling or active myofascial trigger points in the masseter muscle in patients with temporomandibular disorders. J Orofac Pain. 2010 Winter;24(1):106-12.
  3. Zwiri et al, 2020. Effectiveness of the Laser Application in Temporomandibular Joint Disorder: A Systematic Review of 1172 Patients. Pain Res Manag . 2020 Sep 11:2020:5971032.

Credits (photos)

Image (woman receiving jaw treatment): iStockPhoto (licensed use) Stock photo ID: 698126364 Credit: karel noppe

Frequently asked questions (FAQ): Pain in the jaw

Below we go through a number of the questions we have received regarding pain in the jaw and jaw pain. Remember that you can also send us questions or ask them directly in the comments section below.

Acupuncture for jaw pain and jaw tension?

As mentioned in the article, acupuncture / needling has a proven effect on muscular jaw pain. The needle treatment was then aimed at the large masticatory muscle, masseter. Read earlier in the article to see the full results of the study.

Can anxiety and stress worsen or cause pain in the jaw?

Yes, anxiety and stress can manifest in the muscles and thus cause pain in the jaw and increased jaw pain.

How is inflammation in the jaw?

Inflammation in the jaw will produce normal inflammation symptoms. This can mean heat in the skin above the jaw, fever, malaise, as well reddish skin and possible swelling over the affected area. A jaw inflammation will respond to NSAIDS drugs. It is important that you find out the reason why you have got jaw inflammation, so contact your GP as soon as possible.

Related questions with the same explanation: 'What are the symptoms of inflammation of the jawbone?'

Have jaw pain and pain from ear to mouth - what could be the cause?

Between the ear and the corner of the mouth, in that area we find the jaw and jaw joint. So it sounds - based on your somewhat short description - as if you mean this area, and we therefore believe that this may be due to jaw tension, tight / dysfunctional muscles in the jaw and neck - as well as associated joint restrictions (also called 'locking') in the neck . It could also be a factor that there could be wear and tear / osteoarthritis in the jaw, but this will be speculation based on what you tell us.

Related questions with the same answer: "What could be the reason why I have pain in the jaw joint and ear right side?"

Has hurt in the jaw joint and especially when I chew. What is the reason for having jaw pain when I chew and eat?

Pain in the jaw itself and jaw pain when chewing can be due to several causes. Some of the most common are, as mentioned earlier, tense jaw muscles and irritation of the meniscus that we find in the jaw joint. You may also have errors in the dental position that cause you to stress one side more than the other.

Related questions with the same answer: 'Have had a crack in the jaw when chewing for several years. What is the cause?'

Has pain inside the jaw with accompanying clenching. Why do I have it?

A cause of pain inside the jaw with associated clicking or clicking can be a dysfunctional jaw joint with associated irritation to the jaw meniscus. Conservative treatment in the form of myofascial release and joint mobilization can often be helpful for such ailments.

- Similar questions with the same answer: «Have jaw pain with buckling inside the jaw. Cause?"

I have pain in my jaw and ear on the same side. Cause?

Some common causes of pain in the jaw and ear at the same time may be referred pain from masseters (large chewing muscle) or SCM (neck rotation muscle) – the two muscles inside the mouth, medial pterygoid and lateral pterygoid, are also often involved in such complaints. It can also be due to dysfunction / locking in the upper neck joints, as these are strongly functionally linked to the jaw joint.

I have pain in my jaw and jaw pain when I chew crackers and other hard food. It also hurts to open your mouth too much. Why?

Jaw pain is a sign that your jaw has some kind of problem. Pain in the jaw when you chew crackers indicates that the jaw joint itself does not move optimally and that you may have an associated jaw meniscus irritation - which becomes particularly evident when the jaw joint is fully opened. It can be useful to try conservative treatment, for example at a chiropractor or similar, then aimed particularly at joint function and tight jaw muscles.

My jaw hurts after a visit to the dentist. Why do I have it?

Pain in the jaw or jaw pain after a visit to the dentist is not unusual. This is often because you lie with your mouth open for a long time, which exerts a temporary strain on the jaw muscles and the jaw joint. Normally, your jaw should be able to withstand such a strain, but it may be that your jaw was already somewhat dysfunctional and thus had less capacity to cope with this strain. If the pain is not transient, you should contact your dentist and ask him questions about whether this is a normal side-reaction to the procedure he performed.

What is jaw and jaw joint in English?

Jaw is called jaw in English. The jaw joint is called the jaw joint or temporomandibular joint, also known as TMJ.

What is recommended for relaxing the jaw and tense jaw muscles?

As said, the upper joints in the neck, upper neck muscles, jaw muscles and jaw joints are often closely linked functionally. It therefore makes sense to see a doctor if you experience repeated jaw pain or jaw tension. Such a therapist will be able to tell you exactly what you should do to deal with your problem in the best possible way. Some recommend or yoga and meditation as good ways to achieve relaxation in the body. We also recommend relaxation in neck hammock or acupressure mat.

Has moderate / significant osteoarthritis of the jaw. Is there any treatment for osteoarthritis of the jaw?

The fact that you have osteoarthritis of the jaw does not mean that the muscles and joints do not need good function. Rather, on the contrary, you need better muscle function, as osteoarthritis in the jaw joint naturally limits the joint's full function. Research has shown a good effect of physical treatment in osteoarthritis.

Is Botox a good treatment for jaw pain and jaw tension?

Botox, known as Botulinum toxin, is the world's most toxic neurotoxin. In the USA, everyone who performs Botox injections must warn that the injection can spread from the local area where the injection is inserted and cause symptoms similar to poisoning and, in the worst case, death. This occurs extremely rarely, but is nevertheless a minor risk that you must be aware of.

- Read more about Botulinum toxin here on Wikipedia.

I grind my teeth at night. What can be done about this?

If your teeth grinding, also known as bruxism, is due to tension in the jaw muscles - then it is recommended that you seek treatment for your problem from a musculoskeletal expert and see if any treatment has an effect on the grinding at night. Possibly a night rail is used to prevent night-time sparking. Medications for night rubbing can also be used, such as cipralex and tiagibine, but this is only done after consultation with a GP. Tooth rubbing is also known as Bruxism.

Can sciatica cause jaw pain?

So you wonder if the sciatic nerve can cause jaw pain and pain in the jaw. It cannot for anatomical reasons. The sciatic nerve originates from the lower back and can only cause nerve symptoms / pain in the legs. In order to get nerve pain in the jaw, there must be other more local nerves that are pinched / irritated.

Can you get chronic, long-lasting jaw pain?

Chronic as a term is often misused - it means that pain / symptoms have persisted for over 3 months. Many people believe that chronic means that it is not possible to do anything about the problem, but this is wrong. What is right, however, is that it will probably require even more treatment and adapted measures to achieve improvement.

Can one get wear in the jaw joint?

Like all other joints, you can also wear the jaw joint. Wear is also called degenerative change or osteoarthritis.

Man, 30 years old with pain in the ear and jaw - could stress and a hectic everyday life combined with a lot of muscle tension be the cause?

Hi, definitely. Muscle tension in the gum muscles combined with joint restrictions in the neck and associated myalgias can cause pain to the ear and jaw. We recommend that you be examined by a clinician if this is a long-term or recurring problem. Stress management and breathing exercises to reduce stress should also be considered.

Medicines for bruxism and night rubbing?

Cipralex and Tiagibine are both drugs that can reduce night rubbing. (Source: Kast et al, 2005 - read the study here ).

Can jaw tension and pain in the jaw cause headaches?

Myalgias and tight muscles in the jaw and jaw area can contribute to both cervicogen (neck-related) and stress headaches. This is partly due to the fact that the jaw muscles are closely linked, functionally speaking, with the upper joints of the neck (C1-C2) and that these have a direct influence on each other. Tight jaw muscles can thus contribute to a stiff neck - and vice versa. It is special masseters (the large gum), medial and lateral pterygoids, and muscular temporalis that are known to contribute to headaches and headaches. We recommend that you try the exercises we mentioned earlier in the article to improve your jaw function and jaw strength.
Related questions with the same answer: 'Gets a headache after jaw tension. Why?'

Can my dog ​​have a sore jaw?

Of course, dogs can also get jaw pain and jaw pain. Like us, they are also made of muscles, tendons, nerves, joints and bones - and can thus also, like us, be affected by ailments in muscles, joints and nerves. Did you know, for example, that pressure wave treatment has proven effective on dogs with hip osteoarthritis?

Can you get a muscle knot in the jaw?

- Yes, absolutely, a possible cause of jaw pain is muscular dysfunctions or muscle knots in the jaw muscles. The most common muscle that becomes overactive is masseters (chewing muscle) - but also the upper neck muscles, such as suboccipital, as well as the upper neck joints (often the C0, C1, C2 joints), can contribute to jaw pain. We recommend that you read more about the specific muscle knots we link above, as well as read our article about muscle knots and trigger points and how they occur.

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