Jaw Pain: 5 Common Causes Your Dentist Checks

Transcript accompanies the approved October 15, 2026 edition.

Five common causes of jaw pain. If your jaw is sore, tight, clicking, or just feels tired all the time, you might assume you have TMJ. But TMJ is actually the name of the joint, the temporomandibular joint. And there are several different things that can cause pain in this area. Here are five common causes we look for. Number one, clenching or grinding. Many people clench their teeth throughout the day without even realizing it. Others may grind or clench while they're sleeping. That can overwork the muscles around the jaw and the temples. Number two, problems involving the jaw joint itself. The jaw joint has several structures working together and changes involving the joint or the disc can sometimes cause pain, clicking, limited movement, or even locking. Number three, dental problems. A cracked Back tooth, infection, wisdom tooth, or other dental problems can sometimes create pain that feels like it's coming from the jaw, especially when it's coming from molar teeth that can refer down the neck and into the ear. Number four, muscle tension and everyday habits. Stress -related clenching, chewing gum constantly, biting your nails, or even repeatedly resting your chin on your hand can aggravate an already sensitive jaw. And number five, sleep -related factors. If you're waking up with jaw soreness or headaches, we may also want to understand what's happening while you're sleeping, including grinding, clenching, sleep quality, and when appropriate, your airway and breathing. The important thing is that your jaw pain isn't one diagnosis and the right treatment depends on identifying what's actually causing it. If your jaw pain is persistent, your jaw's locking or you're having difficulty opening comfortably, That's a good reason to have it evaluated. Call us or visit us online to schedule your Forma consultation.