The temporomandibular joint or more commonly known as the jaw is one of the most frequently used joints in the body. Most notably, the jaw is used for talking, chewing, and facial expressions. Hence problems can cause pain, headaches and restriction to movement. The cause of these problems can be the joints, muscles, tendons, or an assortment of all three.

Symptoms of Jaw Pain

• Clicking or popping

• Tenderness in the jaw

• Decreased jaw movement

• Grinding of the teeth

• Headaches

• Upper neck pain

Physiotherapy Management

Physiotherapy management of jaw pain usually involves a comprehensive interview and physical assessment to understand the pain and symptoms to better target problematic areas causing the discomfort. Then interventions can include joint mobilisations, massage, muscle strengthening, home exercise programs, dry needling and advice and education regarding independent management.

Useful Tips To Get You Started

• Avoid clenching jaw when not using the jaw

• Chewing on tough foods

• Decreasing stress

• Avoiding leaning or laying on the jaw

• Gentle movements into pain-free ranges of natural jaw motions

Could My Jaw Pain Be Coming From My Teeth?

While jaw pain is often related to the muscles and joints around the jaw, dental issues can also contribute to symptoms. Impacted or infected wisdom teeth may cause pain, swelling, jaw stiffness, ear pain, and difficulty opening the mouth. In some cases, wisdom tooth problems can mimic temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction or contribute to ongoing jaw discomfort. If we suspect a dental cause for your symptoms, we may recommend assessment by a dentist as part of your care.

For more information about wisdom teeth and treatment options, visit our trusted dental referral partner: Pure Dentistry's Wisdom Tooth Extraction Guide