If you've ever experienced jaw pain, clicking sounds when you chew, or difficulty opening your mouth, you may be dealing with TMJ disorder (also called TMD). It's one of the most common jaw conditions, affecting millions of people — yet many don't know what it is or how to treat it.
As a TMJ specialist with 25 years of experience, I want to help you understand this condition and your options for relief.
What Is TMJ Disorder?
TMJ stands for temporomandibular joint — the joint that connects your jawbone to your skull. You have two of these joints, one on each side of your face. They work like sliding hinges, allowing you to open and close your mouth, chew, speak, and yawn.
TMJ disorder (or TMD) occurs when something goes wrong with these joints or the muscles that control them. This can cause pain, limited movement, and other uncomfortable symptoms.
Quick fact: "TMJ" refers to the joint itself, while "TMD" (temporomandibular disorder) refers to the condition. However, most people use "TMJ" to describe both — and that's fine. Your doctor will know what you mean.
Common TMJ Symptoms
TMJ disorder can manifest in many ways. Here are the most common symptoms:
- Jaw pain or tenderness — especially near the ear or when chewing
- Clicking, popping, or grinding sounds — when opening or closing your mouth
- Difficulty opening your mouth fully — or jaw "locking" open or closed
- Pain while chewing — or a tired feeling in your face
- Facial pain — aching around your jaw, cheeks, or temples
- Headaches — especially tension headaches at the temples
- Ear pain or fullness — TMJ pain often radiates to the ear area
- Neck and shoulder pain — due to muscle tension
- Changes to your bite — teeth not fitting together properly
Symptoms can range from mild and occasional to severe and constant. They may affect one or both sides of your face.
What Causes TMJ Disorder?
TMJ disorder rarely has a single cause. Usually, it's a combination of factors:
1. Teeth Grinding and Clenching (Bruxism)
This is the #1 cause of TMJ problems. Grinding puts enormous pressure on your jaw joints — up to 250 pounds of force. Over time, this wears down the joint, strains the muscles, and leads to chronic TMJ pain.
2. Stress
Stress causes muscle tension throughout your body — including your jaw. Many people unconsciously clench their jaw or tighten their facial muscles when stressed, contributing to TMJ problems.
3. Arthritis
Osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis can affect the TMJ just like any other joint in your body, causing inflammation and damage.
4. Jaw Injury
A blow to the jaw, whiplash, or other trauma can damage the TMJ or displace the disc that cushions the joint.
5. Misaligned Bite
When your teeth don't fit together properly, it can put uneven stress on your jaw joints.
6. Poor Posture
Forward head posture (common with desk work) strains the muscles of the neck and jaw, contributing to TMJ problems.
TMJ Treatment Options
The good news is that most TMJ cases can be managed with conservative treatments. Surgery is rarely needed.
Self-Care Measures
- Apply ice or heat to the jaw
- Eat soft foods and avoid extreme jaw movements
- Practice stress-reduction techniques
- Avoid chewing gum
- Be mindful of clenching during the day
Night Guards / Occlusal Splints
For TMJ caused by grinding and clenching, a custom-fit night guard is often the most effective treatment. It prevents your teeth from making contact, reduces pressure on the TMJ, and gives your jaw muscles a chance to relax.
This is the primary treatment I recommend for most of my TMJ patients — it addresses the root cause (grinding) rather than just masking symptoms.
Physical Therapy
A physical therapist can teach you exercises to strengthen and stretch the jaw muscles, improve range of motion, and correct posture issues.
Medications
Over-the-counter pain relievers, muscle relaxants, or anti-inflammatory medications may provide temporary relief for TMJ flare-ups.
Professional Treatments
In more severe cases, treatments like trigger point injections, Botox (to relax jaw muscles), or dental work to correct bite issues may be recommended.
TMJ Relief Starts Here
If teeth grinding is causing your TMJ pain, a custom night guard could provide significant relief.
Take the Quiz →When to See a TMJ Specialist
You should seek professional help if:
- Your jaw pain is persistent or getting worse
- You can't open or close your mouth fully
- You have pain while eating or talking
- Home remedies aren't providing relief
- You're experiencing frequent headaches along with jaw symptoms
The Connection Between TMJ and Teeth Grinding
I can't stress this enough: teeth grinding is the leading cause of TMJ problems. The constant pressure from grinding:
- Wears down the cartilage disc in the joint
- Strains and enlarges the jaw muscles
- Creates chronic inflammation
- Leads to bone changes over time
If you're experiencing TMJ symptoms, there's a very high chance that grinding or clenching is involved — even if you're not aware you're doing it (most grinding happens during sleep).
That's why addressing the grinding with a proper night guard is often the key to TMJ relief.
The Bottom Line
TMJ disorder is common, uncomfortable, and often frustrating — but it's also very treatable. Most people find significant relief with conservative approaches like night guards, stress management, and self-care.
If you're experiencing jaw pain, don't ignore it. The sooner you address TMJ problems, the easier they are to treat. Left untreated, TMJ issues can worsen over time and become more difficult to resolve.
Start by identifying whether grinding might be the cause — and if it is, protecting your jaw with a properly fitted night guard is one of the best things you can do.
Read our Complete Guide to Jaw Pain, Clenching & Morning Tension for a comprehensive look at what causes jaw pain and how to find relief.