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Pain in Teeth and Jaw: Is It TMJ or Tooth Pain?

Published on

April 24
2025

About the Author

Table of contents

1. Introduction
2. Why do we Get Tooth Pain?
3. Why do we Get TMJ Pain?
4. Difference Between Toothache and TMJ Jaw Pain
5. Treatment Options for Pain in Teeth and Jaw
6. Conclusion

Introduction

Tooth problems, just like TMJ issues, can be painstakingly difficult when it comes to passing your daily activities without hassles. While it may be tricky to identify the exact cause of the pain in teeth and jaw, it is crucial to understand whether this pain is due to a mere tooth problem or an underlying TMJ issue. In this blog, let’s understand the symptoms of toothache and TMJ issues and how to identify the causes of both these problems.

Why do we Get Tooth Pain?

Tooth pain or toothache is generally caused by underlying issues affecting the tooth and the jaw surrounding it. Here are some of the common reasons for the pain in teeth and jaw:
  • Tooth fractures or cracks in the teeth may lead to exposure of your dentin, causing severe pain or sensitivity. This may occur due to regular clenching or grinding of teeth, an accident or exposure to severe hot or cold foods.
  • Gum diseases like gingivitis or periodontal diseases can lead to the damage of the supporting structure of your teeth, resulting in pain in teeth and jaw. This leads to toothache, or even loss of tooth if the severity is more.
  • Severe jaw pain caused by a wisdom tooth can leave you wondering “jaw pain which doctor to see?”
  • Cavities caused by bacterial infections in your mouth are one of the most common causes of tooth pain. This may be due to consuming lots of sugary foods or improper maintenance of oral health.

Why do we Get TMJ Pain?

Unlike regular toothache, TMJ pain toothache may be multifactorial and may affect the temporomandibular joint apart from the tooth, jaw and the nerves attached to it. Here are some of the causes that may lead to TMJ pain-
  • Malocclusion or misalignment bite can add to the stress to your TMJ muscles and joint leading to pain in the region.
  • Diseases like arthritis like rheumatoid or osteoarthritis can specifically affect the TMJ leading to inflammation and pain in the surrounding region.
  • Injury or direct blow to your temporomandibular joint may cause TMJ pain toothache together.
  • Lifestyle and behavioural problems increase the stress in turn affecting your teeth due to grinding or clenching can strain the surrounding TMJ muscles, causing immense pain in your mouth.
  • Other factors like genetics, lifestyle habits, hormonal changes or sleep related disorders may also cause TMJ or tooth pain in many.
Why do we Get TMJ Pain

Difference Between Toothache and TMJ Jaw Pain

FeatureToothacheTMJ Jaw Pain
Location of Pain Localised to a specific tooth or area in the mouthCan be felt in the jaw joint, temples, ear, or even the neck
Type of Pain Sharp, throbbing, or constantDull ache, tenderness, or radiating pain
Aggravating Factors Chewing, hot or cold foods, pressure on the toothJaw movement (chewing, talking, yawning), stress, clenching or grinding teeth
Accompanying Symptoms Swelling, redness, sensitivity in the affected tooth or gumClicking or popping sound in the jaw joint, limited jaw movement, headache, earache
Possible Causes Cavities, infection, gum diseaseStress, injury, arthritis, teeth grinding
Please note that this information could be for your reference, but for accurate diagnoses it is best to visit your dentist, so that you can get further treatment and guidance related to your TMJ or tooth pain.

Treatment Options for Pain in Teeth and Jaw

1. Self-Care Strategies

Resting your Jaw

  • Choose foods that require minimal chewing mashed or soupy foods to assist in quick relieving of the pain in teeth and jaw muscles.
  • Avoid sticky or chewy foods like gum, hard candies, and tough meats.
  • Concentrate on the right eating ways like cutting food into smaller pieces and chewing on both sides of your mouth simultaneously for longer.

Temperature regulated care

  • Apply ice packs to the affected area for 15-20 minutes per interval several times a day, especially for severe pain or swelling.
  • If you are using heat packs, use moist heat applications to relax the sore muscles and increase blood flow in the pained area.

Simple Jaw Exercises are CONTRAINDICATED!!!

  • Do not practice stretching exercises by opening your mouth wide, holding for a few seconds, and repeating the exercise a few more times.
  • Do not strengthen the muscles by applying gentle resistance while opening and closing your jaw unless your muscles are reprogrammed.
  • Relaxation techniques like massaging your jaw muscles help reduce the TMJ pain toothache.

Stress Management

  • Recognise triggers in situations that increase your TMJ pain.
  • Explore pacifying methods like meditation, yoga, or other stress-busting activities.
  • Look after your sleep schedule and ensure you get deep and adequate sleep as recommended by your doctor.
Self-Care Strategies

2. Medical Interventional Treatments

Dental Splints or Night Guards

  • These custom-made devices are suggested by the dentist where a splint is inserted to prevent teeth grinding and reposition your jaw.

Medications

  • OTC medicines like Pain Relievers or muscle relaxants such as ibuprofen, prescription pain medications are prescribed for curbing severe TMJ pain toothache or muscle spasms.
  • In some cases, they may administer injections to reduce the inflammation.

Physical Therapy

  • Physical therapies and manual techniques help improve jaw mobility and strength.
  • Using different modality devices such as Ultrasound, TENS or the transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation method, or laser induced therapy, the tooth or jaw pain can be controlled.

Other Alternate Interventions

  • Arthrocentesis, a minimally invasive procedure to drain off the excess fluid and debris from the TM joint.
  • Botox Injections are another alternate method used to relax jaw muscles and reduce pain.
  • Surgery is the last option or rather rarely recommended, that is reserved for cases with structural problems or when the prior treatments fail.
Medical Interventional Treatments

Conclusion

After knowing how you come across pain in teeth and jaw, you can now understand if it is just a toothache or a TMJ issue. If you still are not able to differentiate the pain between the two, it is crucial for you to visit a dentist or a TMJ specialist as they will come up with accurate diagnoses.

If you are having persistent pain, limited jaw movement or bite problems, frequent clicking or locking of jaw do not hesitate to visit your dentist. One such dental clinic is TMJ India which houses some of the best TMJ specialists in the country that provide the best treat for TMJ disorders.

To treat the most complex of TMJ problems, contact us at TMJ India and get your appointment with our TMJ experts today! 
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