by Malavi Sivakanesan • 11 March 2025 • 6 min read
Jaw pain has become a common complaint among people of all ages. It is mostly caused by stress, poor posture, teeth grinding, or even underlying dental issues. While occasional discomfort may seem harmless, persistent or severe jaw pain can interfere with daily activities like eating, speaking, or even sleeping. It can also be linked to serious conditions like temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD), infections, or nerve-related problems. But what does jaw pain mean exactly? Is it just a temporary discomfort that will fade on its own, or is your body signalling a deeper issue that needs attention? Read on to find out when jaw pain is a cause for concern and when it’s time to seek medical help.
Common Symptoms of Jaw Pain
Jaw pain can arise from different conditions, starting from minor problems like grinding teeth to more severe dental concerns such as misaligned jaw symptoms or fractures. Understanding the below-mentioned symptoms can help you get an early diagnosis and treatment:
Jaw Stiffness & Limited Movement
You may experience stiffness in the jaw or difficulty in opening and closing the mouth, which is an indication of temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMD).
If left untreated, this stiffness in your jaw can grow into chronic pain that eventually creates difficulties for you to perform everyday activities such as eating and speaking.
Clicking or Popping Sounds
If you hear a clicking or popping noise while chewing or talking, it can be another symptom that indicates TMD or jaw misalignment. Although these sounds are not always painful. Normally, they suggest that the jaw is not functioning properly due to excessive chewing or talking.
Swelling & Tenderness
The jaw-hurting symptoms can also be accompanied by swelling in the jaw area, which may be caused by infections, inflammation, or injuries. And broken jaw symptoms may also occur due to significant inflammation and swelling, which makes it difficult for you to eat or speak.
If left untreated, the infection can spread and affect your surrounding tissue and even lead to systemic health issues.
Sensitivity in Teeth
If your teeth suddenly become sensitive, especially when they come in contact with warm or cold foods, it may not only be a dental problem. In some cases, jaw-hurting symptoms are associated with nerve sensitivity due to an underlying jaw problem.
Your habits of cutting or grinding in the wrong way can also increase tooth sensitivity, which can cause discomfort. A root canal may be necessary in cases of severe decay or infection affecting the jaw.
Headaches & Facial Tension
The tension in your jaw can spread to the temples, forehead, or even behind the eyes, which gives you headaches that won’t go away. People with TMD often experience facial pain, as stressful muscles in the jaw contribute to headaches. This type of stress can also be a reason for migraines and affect your daily life and productivity.
When Jaw Pain Requires Immediate Medical Attention
You can manage some cases of jaw pain with home remedies, but there are certain symptoms that should never be ignored. Here are some of them:
Severe Swelling or Visible Deformity in the Jaw
Some swelling that subsides by cold compression is normal, but if you notice severe swelling or visible deformity, then it could be a sign of a fractured jaw.
If you are thinking what does a fractured jaw feel like, then you should know that it will cause intense pain, swelling, bruising, difficulty moving the jaw, and an inability to close the mouth properly. A fractured jaw needs immediate medical care to prevent any permanent damage.
Breathing Issues
Jaw pain can interfere with your breathing and is particularly concerning if swelling occurs near the throat or airway. A severe infection like Ludwig’s angina can create airway obstruction, which requires immediate medical attention. Delays in treatment can lead to life-threatening complications.
Jaw Locking (Stuck in an Open or Closed Position)
A locked jaw can occur due to dislocated joints or advanced TMD. If you are experiencing the same, try to avoid forcing your mouth open or closed and seek medical care immediately. Long-term jaw locking can affect your speech, eating, and even facial expressions.
Signs of Infection (Fever, Pus, or a Foul Taste in the Mouth)
If you notice signs of infection like fever or pus along with jaw pain then it might indicate dental abscess. It is a pocket of pus caused by a bacterial infection. Dental abscesses develop due to untreated cavities or dental trauma. The infection can spread to the surrounding tissues may lead to tooth extraction.
Radiating Pain in Arms or Chest
Sometimes, jaw pain can be linked to heart conditions. Heart-related jaw pain is often mistaken for dental issues. If you experience jaw pain that radiates to your arm or chest, then it could be a warning sign of a heart attack. Seek emergency medical help if these symptoms occur alongside shortness of breath or dizziness.
Prevention is always better than cure, so do not ignore the signs of jaw pain. If you’re wonderingwhat to do when jaw hurts, you can try simple remedies like applying warm compresses, avoiding hard foods and maintaining good posture. However, if the pain worsens or is accompanied by symptoms like swelling, difficulty chewing, or ear pain, it’s time to see a dentist as soon as possible.
Look Out for Signs
Prevention is always better than cure, so do not ignore the signs of jaw pain. If you’re wonderingwhat to do when jaw hurts, you can try simple remedies like applying warm compresses, avoiding hard foods and maintaining good posture. However, if the pain worsens or is accompanied by symptoms like swelling, difficulty chewing, or ear pain, it’s time to see a dentist as soon as possible.
Malavi Sivakanesan
Malavi Sivakanesan is the principal dentist and co-founder at Complete Smiles in Harrow, Greater London. She is responsible for establishing the Complete Smiles brand throughout the United Kingdom and Europe and has 5 successful practices under her strong leadership.