Hampton woman with jaw pain
General Dental

Did you know that about 15% of people in Australia have jaw pain at some point? This can make everyday tasks like eating and talking difficult.

Knowing the causes – such as a TMJ disorder or cavities – helps find the right treatment. Sometimes, jaw pain may go away by itself, but seeing a dentist is key to avoiding more problems.

Your dentist can give you advice and a treatment plan just for you, helping to take your jaw pain away.

Understanding jaw pain/dysfunction

Knowing the signs of jaw pain can help you manage it better. You might feel a range of symptoms many of which are listed below.

Constant jaw ache is a symptom you shouldn’t ignore. Many people also feel their jaw clicking when they move it. This can be accompanied by tight muscles or a stiff jaw.

More severe symptoms include trouble moving your mouth or feeling like it’s locked.

Common symptoms

  • Dull, constant jaw ache that lasts all day
  • Jaw-clicking sounds when you open or close your mouth
  • Feeling of tight jaw muscles that comes with stress or tension
  • Jaw stiffness that makes it hard to open your mouth fully
  • Non-localised toothache

Most common causes of jaw pain

Understanding jaw pain is key to getting the right treatment and have you feeling better. The main cause is often Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMD). This happens when the jaw joint complex isn’t working correctly, causing pain and discomfort.

TMD is common and can come from many things, including arthritis or jaw injuries. It can make chewing hard, cause headaches and even ear pain.

The most common cause of TMD is clenching your jaw or grinding your teeth. This is especially true when you’re stressed, and your muscles tighten.

Less common causes of jaw pain include dental problems like cavities or crooked teeth which can put strain on your jaw. Too much caffeine or bad posture can also contribute.

Experiencing jaw pain?

Ignoring jaw pain can lead to long-term problems such as chronic facial pain, worn teeth or even cracked teeth, so it’s important to visit the dentist so we can figure out the problem. The experienced dentists at Hampton Beach Dentists have treated hundreds of patients with jaw pain, and they can get to the bottom of what is causing your discomfort and suggest ways to ease your pain.

To make an appointment at our Hampton dental clinic, give our friendly team a call on 03 9598 5666.

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