Jaw pain and TMJ: getting the source examined
Jaw pain interferes with the ordinary things, eating, talking, sleeping. The jaw joint and the upper neck influence each other, so an assessment looks at both. Dental causes are common, so care is often coordinated with your dentist rather than working around them.
Who this page is for
Adults with jaw pain, clicking, restricted opening, or jaw symptoms that started after a collision or a period of clenching.
Why people come in
These are reasons patients give for booking. They are not a diagnosis, and only an examination can tell you what is happening in your case.
- Pain in front of the ear when chewing or yawning
- Clicking, grating or locking when opening the mouth
- Jaw tightness on waking, often with clenching or grinding
- Headache or neck ache accompanying the jaw symptoms
How the evaluation works
We assess jaw movement, the muscles around the jaw, and the upper neck, and take a history that includes dental work, grinding and any recent trauma.
How we may approach care
Care may include gentle joint and soft tissue work for the jaw and neck plus guidance on habits that load the joint. Where a dental or orofacial cause is likely, we refer rather than treat around it.
What a first visit may involve
Expect an examination of both jaw and neck and a straightforward explanation of what we found, including whether a dental opinion should come first.
Safety and when to seek other care
Locking that will not release, jaw pain after significant trauma, facial swelling, numbness or a suspected infection need urgent dental or medical care. We do not make claims about treating dental disease or bite correction.
Questions patients ask
Should I see my dentist first?
If your symptoms are clearly dental, yes. We will tell you if that is what the examination suggests.
Is jaw pain connected to the neck?
The jaw and upper neck can influence each other, which is why both are examined.
Where this care is offered
The clinical explanation above is the same at every clinic. Location links add only what is specific to that clinic.
Related pages
Clinical review
Clinician review pending. This page has not yet been signed off by a named Inspine provider, and no reviewer is claimed until one confirms it. See our provider profiles.
Take the first step.
Call the clinic nearest you, or send a request and our team will follow up to agree a time.