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TMJ and TMD jaw pain

TMJ and TMD jaw pain: Do you have this and need help

written by Aneeta Prem MBE

If you live with TMJ TMD jaw pain, jaw clicking or trouble chewing, you are not alone.
Jaw problems linked to the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) affect many people, yet most never hear a clear name for what is going on. Every November, TMJ Awareness Month shines a light on jaw pain, but people need support all year round.

At TNA UK we usually talk about trigeminal neuralgia and facial pain. TMJ and temporomandibular disorders, often shortened to TMDs, sit in the same family of conditions. They can change how you eat, sleep, speak and take part in daily life.

What are TMJ and TMD

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is the small hinge that connects your lower jaw to your skull, just in front of each ear. It lets you talk, chew, yawn and laugh.

Temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) are problems that affect:

  • the TMJ joints

  • the muscles that move your jaw

  • the tissues around them

These problems can be short term or long term. For some people they stay mild. For others they become part of a much wider pain picture.

What is TMJ TMD jaw pain

TMJ TMD jaw pain often feels like:

  • an ache or sharp pain in one or both jaw joints

  • pain that spreads towards the ear, temple, cheek or neck

  • a feeling of pressure or stiffness around the face

People may notice that:

  • pain worsens when they chew, talk a lot or yawn

  • the jaw feels tired, heavy or overused

  • resting the jaw brings some relief

Jaw pain that keeps returning, or starts to change what you eat and how you speak, should always be taken seriously.

Common symptoms of TMJ and TMD

Not everyone has the same symptoms, but people often describe:

  • jaw pain or tenderness

  • clicking, popping or grinding noises in the jaw

  • jaw locking, or difficulty opening the mouth wide

  • pain around the ear that is not an ear infection

  • headaches or facial pain around the temple, cheek or jaw

  • pain or tiredness when chewing

  • a feeling that the bite is not quite right

These symptoms can come and go. They may feel worse with stress, long talking, chewing on one side, or after dental work.

How common are TMJ and TMD

Research from national and international centres describes TMD as common. Millions of people worldwide live with jaw joint problems at any one time. Women and people aged roughly 20 to 50 are affected more often, but anyone can develop TMJ TMD jaw pain.

TMDs can also appear alongside other long term pain conditions, such as headache disorders, neck and back pain or fibromyalgia. This overlap can make life even more difficult and confusing.

TMJ, TMD and facial pain. How TNA UK can help

TNA UK supports people living with:

  • trigeminal neuralgia

  • other facial pain conditions

  • overlapping problems such as TMJ and TMD in the context of facial pain

We cannot diagnose you and we cannot replace your dentist or GP. What we can do is:

  • help you understand the language clinicians use

  • share information on facial pain, jaw pain and possible diagnoses

  • support you to prepare for appointments and ask clear questions

  • offer a safe space to talk about how pain affects your life

Many of our members tell us the same story. They were told it was “just stress” or “just your teeth”. When someone finally named TMJ or TMD and took them seriously, it changed how they felt about themselves and their future.

What to do if you think you have TMJ or TMD

If the symptoms above feel familiar, these steps may help.

1. Speak to your dentist or GP

Tell them clearly that you are worried about TMJ TMD jaw pain. You can say, for example:

“I have had ongoing jaw pain and clicking for several months. It affects how I eat and talk. Could this be a temporomandibular disorder, and can you check my jaw joints and muscles”

A basic assessment usually involves:

  • listening to and feeling the jaw as you open and close

  • checking how wide you can open

  • feeling the jaw and face muscles for tenderness

  • looking at your bite and teeth

Your clinician may suggest self care, medication, a mouth guard, jaw exercises, physiotherapy or, in some cases, referral to a specialist service such as a hospital dental, oral and maxillofacial or pain clinic.

Dentists in particular can play an important role. They see your jaw movement and bite regularly and can help rule out tooth problems and guide you towards further care if needed.

2. Keep a simple jaw pain diary

A short diary can help build a clearer picture. For example, you can note:

  • when the pain started

  • when it feels worst, such as morning, evening or during meals

  • what makes it better or worse

  • any locking, catching or loud clicking

  • how it affects eating, sleep, work or mood

You do not need anything complex. A few bullet points a day can guide your next appointment and help your clinician understand the pattern of your TMJ TMD jaw pain.

3. Be kind to your jaw

Self care will not cure every TMD, but it can reduce strain on the joint. Common suggestions from clinicians include:

  • avoid very hard or chewy foods when symptoms flare

  • try to chew on both sides rather than just one

  • notice and reduce clenching or grinding in the day, if you can

  • rest the jaw in a relaxed position, with lips together and teeth slightly apart

  • use gentle heat or cold packs if advised by your clinician

Always follow personalised advice from your dentist, GP or specialist.

When to seek urgent advice

You should seek urgent advice if you notice:

  • sudden, severe jaw locking that will not release

  • new jaw pain after an accident or injury

  • jaw pain with chest pain, shortness of breath or other worrying symptoms

If in doubt, follow local urgent care or emergency advice.

Contact TNA UK for support

Living with TMJ, TMD, or any facial pain can feel lonely. People around you may not see how much it changes your life.

TNA UK offers:

  • a freephone helpline where you can talk to someone who understands facial pain

  • regional support groups where people share experiences and coping strategies

  • information resources on facial pain conditions, jaw pain and related issues

  • webinars and events with clinicians and patient speakers

You can reach us on:

  • Freephone helpline: 0800 999 1899

  • Email helpline: [email protected]

  • or by using the secure form on the Contact us page on the TNA UK website

Jaw pain is not “just stress,” and it is not something you have to carry in silence. If your TMJ TMD jaw pain is affecting how you eat, speak, sleep or live, you deserve to be heard, assessed and supported. TNA UK is here to help you feel less alone with facial pain, including TMJ and TMD.

Further reading and medical sources

You can keep this section short on the page, or remove it and keep the references internally. The content is based on:

  • NHS – Temporomandibular disorder (TMD). Symptoms, causes and self care advice.

  • National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research – TMD (Temporomandibular Disorders) and Temporomandibular Disorders and Jaw Pain.

  • Mayo Clinic – TMJ disorders. Symptoms, causes and treatment options.

  • TMJ Association and Santa Fe Group – TMJ Awareness Month in November and patient education on temporomandibular disorders.

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