Jaw problems and headaches

If your teeth do not fit together properly, or you clench or grind your teeth, you can develop problems with your jaw joint.

This joint is called the temporo-mandibular joint (TMJ).

These problems can also affect your teeth, gums and face muscles. Together, they are often called bite (occlusal) problems.

How can bite problems affect my mouth?

There are a few different ways that bite problems can impact your mouth.

Teeth

Bite problems can cause:

• Worn down teeth.
• Teeth that break or chip often.
• Fillings that fall out.
• Crowns that come loose.
• Teeth that feel sore when you bite.
• Ongoing toothache with no clear cause.

Gums

An uneven bite can lead to:

• Loose teeth.
• Gums pulling away from the teeth (receding gums).

Jaw joint (TMJ)

The TMJ is the joint that connects your lower jaw to your skull. It lets you open, close and move your jaw side to side.

If you clench or grind your teeth, you can put extra pressure on this joint, which may cause:

• Clicking or popping sounds in the jaw.
• Pain in the jaw joint.
• Headaches.
• Ringing or buzzing in the ears.
• Difficulty opening or closing your mouth.

Muscles

Grinding or clenching makes the face and jaw muscles work too hard. This can cause muscle spasms and pain, including:

• Headaches, especially in the morning.
• Migraines.
• Pain behind the eyes.
• Sinus-type pain.
• Pain in the neck, shoulders and back.

How do I know if I might have a problem?

You may notice:

• Flattened or worn teeth.
• Broken teeth, fillings or crowns.
• Loose teeth.
• Sensitive teeth.
• Toothache without an obvious reason.

If you grind or clench your teeth at night, you might wake up with:

• Jaw, face or head pain.
• Tenderness when you bite together.
• Headaches.
• Sore face muscles.
• Ear pain or pain behind the eyes.
• Difficulty moving your jaw.

Missing back teeth can also affect your bite and lead to TMJ problems.

Some people clench their teeth during the day too, especially when concentrating, driving or feeling stressed.

How are these problems treated?

If you have these symptoms, see your dentist.

They can check your bite, examine your jaw joint and suggest treatment. This may include:

• Relaxation techniques or counselling to reduce clenching linked to stress.
• A softer diet and simple jaw exercises.
• Using warm compresses on the jaw muscles.
• A splint or nightguard to wear at night to protect your teeth and reduce grinding.
• Adjusting the bite by reshaping or rebuilding teeth with fillings or crowns.
• Replacing missing teeth with dentures or implants to balance the bite.
• Medication (from a specialist) to help relax tight jaw muscles in severe cases.

Getting help early can reduce pain and help prevent long-term damage to your teeth and jaw.