Jaw pain when chewing can originate from the jaw joints and muscles, the teeth, the gums, or surrounding structures. Figuring out which one usually takes an exam.
If chewing has started to hurt, you’re probably wondering whether it’s your jaw joint, a tooth, or something else entirely. Jaw pain when chewing can come from several different sources, including TMJ disorders, teeth grinding, dental infections, and cracked teeth. This guide walks through the possibilities and helps you figure out when it’s time for a professional evaluation.
Jaw pain when chewing can have several possible causes, including temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders, teeth grinding or clenching, dental infections, damaged teeth, bite-related problems, or inflammation around the jaw.
Jaw clicking or popping can occur with TMJ problems, although clicking alone does not necessarily mean there is a serious joint disorder.
Pain that is persistent, worsening, associated with swelling, or accompanied by difficulty opening the mouth should be evaluated by a qualified dental professional.
A dentist can assess the teeth, jaw joints, muscles, and surrounding structures to determine the likely source of the pain.
Important: Jaw pain symptoms alone cannot confirm a specific diagnosis. This guide can help you understand the possibilities, but only an exam can tell you what’s actually going on.
Common Causes of Jaw Pain When Chewing
Chewing pain can have multiple causes, and the location, severity, duration, and accompanying symptoms all help a dentist narrow things down.
Possible causes include TMJ disorders, teeth grinding or clenching, jaw muscle tension, dental cavities, cracked or damaged teeth, tooth infection, gum infection or inflammation, problems with the bite, recent dental treatment or dental trauma, and arthritis or other joint-related conditions. More than one factor may be contributing at the same time. It’s not always one clean cause.
Could TMJ Problems Cause Jaw Pain?
Your temporomandibular joints connect your jaw to your skull and take on a lot of repeated pressure every time you chew. Problems there can definitely show up as pain.
Common TMJ-related symptoms include jaw pain when chewing, pain near the ear, jaw clicking or popping, jaw stiffness, difficulty opening the mouth fully, jaw fatigue when eating, facial or temple discomfort, headaches associated with jaw tension, and, in some cases, jaw locking.
It’s worth knowing that clicking or popping without pain can occur in some people and doesn’t automatically indicate a serious TMJ disorder. Plenty of people have a clicky jaw with no other symptoms at all.
Can Dental Problems Cause Pain While Chewing?
Jaw pain doesn’t always start in the jaw joint. Sometimes a tooth or the tissue around it is the actual source, and the pain just gets felt more broadly.
Dental problems that may cause chewing pain include tooth decay, cracked or fractured teeth, a dental abscess, tooth infection, gum inflammation or infection, damaged dental restorations, tooth sensitivity, and problems following dental trauma.
Signs that may suggest a dental cause, rather than a joint issue, include pain localized to one tooth, pain specifically when biting down, sensitivity to hot or cold, swelling around a tooth, gum tenderness, a bad taste or drainage, tooth discoloration, or a recent dental injury.
Jaw pain doesn’t automatically mean TMJ disorder. Dental and TMJ-related conditions can produce genuinely similar symptoms, and an examination is often what it takes to tell them apart.
When Should Jaw Pain Be Evaluated?
Persistent, recurring, or worsening jaw pain is worth having looked at, especially when it’s interfering with eating or normal jaw movement.
Schedule a dental evaluation when: jaw pain persists or repeatedly returns, pain occurs during chewing, clicking or popping is accompanied by pain, the jaw feels stiff or tired, the mouth is difficult to open fully, jaw movement becomes uncomfortable, pain is affecting eating or daily activities, tooth pain occurs alongside jaw discomfort, or symptoms are becoming more frequent or severe.
Seek prompt dental care when: significant swelling develops, severe dental or jaw pain occurs, fever accompanies dental symptoms, a tooth appears infected, there is drainage or a suspected abscess, or the jaw becomes increasingly difficult to open.
Seek emergency medical care when: significant facial or neck swelling develops, swelling interferes with breathing, swelling makes swallowing difficult, or severe symptoms develop rapidly. These situations shouldn’t be managed solely with home remedies. They call for prompt medical attention rather than waiting for a routine dental appointment.
If you’re dealing with severe jaw pain, facial swelling, or signs of a dental infection, Emergency Dentistry in Mississauga at Tomken Dental covers what to do for an urgent dental concern.
How Is Jaw Pain Diagnosed and Treated?
Diagnosis depends on what’s suspected as the cause, and typically means evaluating the teeth, jaw joints, muscles, bite, and range of motion together.
Diagnostic evaluation may include your dental and medical history, an examination of the teeth and gums, an evaluation of jaw movement, an assessment of jaw muscles and joints, a bite assessment, checking for clicking or tenderness, dental X-rays when appropriate, and additional imaging or testing when clinically indicated.
For TMJ-related symptoms, treatment may include conservative TMJ therapy, jaw exercises when recommended, addressing teeth clenching or grinding, bite or oral appliance therapy when appropriate, and other options based on your specific condition.
For dental causes, treatment may include treatment of cavities, repair of damaged or cracked teeth, treatment of dental infection, root canal treatment when clinically indicated, gum treatment, or replacement or adjustment of damaged restorations.
No single treatment resolves every case of jaw pain. The appropriate approach depends entirely on the underlying cause identified during your evaluation.
If TMJ-related symptoms sound like what you’re experiencing, TMJ Therapy in Mississauga at Tomken Dental covers the practice’s conservative, evidence-based approach to diagnosis and treatment.
The Bottom Line
Jaw pain when chewing can come from the joint, the muscles, or the teeth and surrounding tissue, and these causes can look similar without an exam to tell them apart. Persistent, worsening, or symptom-accompanied pain is worth having evaluated, while significant facial or neck swelling, breathing difficulty, or swallowing difficulty calls for emergency medical care rather than a routine dental visit. Treatment depends entirely on what’s actually causing the pain.
If jaw pain is interfering with eating, talking, or opening your mouth comfortably, it’s worth having it evaluated. Learn more about TMJ Therapy in Mississauga at Tomken Dental, or if you’re experiencing severe pain, swelling, or signs of infection, reach out about Emergency Dentistry in Mississauga instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
What causes jaw pain when chewing?
Jaw pain when chewing can be caused by a range of factors, including TMJ disorders, teeth grinding, jaw muscle tension, cavities, cracked teeth, dental infections, gum problems, and other dental or joint conditions. An examination may be necessary to determine the specific cause in your case.
Can TMJ disorders cause pain while eating?
Yes, TMJ disorders can cause pain during chewing because eating repeatedly engages the jaw joints and surrounding muscles. This may be accompanied by clicking, stiffness, tenderness, or limited jaw movement.
Can a tooth infection cause jaw pain when chewing?
Yes, a tooth infection can cause pain that extends into the surrounding jaw, particularly when biting or chewing. Warning signs can include swelling, tooth sensitivity, fever, or drainage. These signs point toward the importance of a prompt dental evaluation.
When should you see a dentist for jaw pain?
Persistent, recurring, worsening, or disruptive jaw pain should be evaluated. Reasons to seek prompt dental care include swelling, severe pain, difficulty opening the mouth, tooth pain, or signs of infection.
What treatments can help relieve jaw pain?
Treatment depends on the underlying cause. TMJ-related symptoms may be managed with conservative approaches or TMJ therapy, while dental causes may require restorative, periodontal, or infection-related treatment.
This article provides general educational information and does not constitute an individualized dental diagnosis. Jaw pain can have multiple causes, and only a dental examination can determine the specific source. Patients experiencing significant swelling, difficulty breathing, or difficulty swallowing should seek emergency medical care immediately rather than relying on this information.