Jaw Pain

Jaw joint, tooth or heart?

Problems with the jaw joint or its muscles (temporomandibular joint, or TMJ, dysfunction) often cause an ache in front of the ear, clicking or grating when you chew, a locking feeling when you open your mouth, or an uneven bite. They can also cause ringing in the ears, so compare with ear pain. Pain centred on one tooth, with sensitivity to hot, cold or sweet food, points to a dental cause: see toothache. Jaw pain can also be a heart attack symptom, sometimes with little or no chest pain, particularly in women. Call Triple Zero (000) straight away if it comes with chest discomfort, breathlessness, sweating, nausea or dizziness.

Looking after a sore jaw joint

Most TMJ dysfunction improves over time. Beyond soft foods, try cutting food into small pieces, avoiding opening your mouth wide, and stopping nail biting or clenching. Ask a pharmacist whether an anti-inflammatory gel applied over the jaw suits you. If you grind your teeth at night, a dentist can make a fitted mouthguard. See your doctor if symptoms haven't improved after a few weeks, as ongoing problems can become chronic jaw pain. Get urgent care if jaw symptoms come with double or blurred vision, difficulty eating or drinking, or frequent, severe headaches.

Sources: healthdirect — Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction; healthdirect — Toothache and gum swelling; healthdirect — Heart attack