Jaw pain, clicking or TMJ

What it can mean

The temporomandibular joints (TMJ) connect your jaw to your skull just in front of each ear. When they or the chewing muscles are overworked — most often by clenching or grinding, sometimes by stress, injury or an uneven bite — you can get pain in the jaw, temples, ear or neck, clicking or popping when you open, a jaw that locks or feels stiff in the morning, and tension headaches.

The good news is that most TMJ problems are muscular, not structural, and settle with conservative care: a custom night splint to stop grinding, jaw exercises, and habit changes. Surgery is rarely needed.

How we can help

• Assessment of your bite, joints and muscles to find what's driving the pain
• A custom occlusal splint (night guard) made in-house
• Advice on self-care, and referral to a physio or specialist if needed