What is Temporomandibular disorder?
Check if you have temporomandibular disorder (TMD)
Symptoms of TMD include:
- pain around your jaw, ear and temple
- clicking, popping or grinding noises when you move your jaw
- a headache around your temples
- difficulty opening your mouth fully
- your jaw locking when you open your mouth
The pain may be worse when chewing and when you feel stressed.
TMD can also stop you getting a good night's sleep.
How to ease temporomandibular disorder (TMD) yourself
Temporomandibular disorder (TMD) usually gets better without treatment. But there are things you can do to ease the symptoms.
DO
- eat soft food, like pasta, omelettes and soup
- take paracetamol or ibuprofen
- hold an ice pack or heat pack wrapped in a tea towel to the jaw, whichever feels better
- massage the painful jaw muscles
- try to find ways to relax
DON'T
- do not chew gum or pen tops
- do not bite food with your front teeth
- do not yawn too wide
- do not bite your nails
- do not clench your teeth – apart from when eating, your teeth should be apart
Ask for an urgent GP appointment or get help from 111 now if:
- you're unable to eat or drink
- you have clicking, popping or grinding noises when you move your jaw
- you have difficulty opening your mouth fully or your jaw is locking
- you have pain around your jaw, ear or at the side of your head
- you have frequent, severe headaches
- you have pain or tenderness at the side of your head or on the scalp
- you have vision problems, such as double vision or loss of vision in one or both eyes
These can be signs of a serious problem that needs urgent treatment.
You can call 111 or get help from 111 online.
Treatments for temporomandibular disorder (TMD) from a GP
The GP may suggest:
- stronger painkillers
- relaxation techniques to reduce stress
- ways to improve your sleep
They might suggest you see:
- a dentist, if teeth grinding might be an issue
- a psychologist, if stress and anxiety are making your pain worse
- a physiotherapist, for advice about jaw exercises and massage
If these treatments do not help, you may be referred to a specialist in joint problems to discuss other options, such as painkilling injections or surgery.
Treatments for temporomandibular disorder (TMD) from a GP
Temporomandibular disorder (TMD) can be caused by:
- teeth grinding
- wear and tear of the joint
- a blow to the head or face
- stress
- an uneven bite
The information shared on this page has been supplied by NHS England
The information was reviewed on 20th June 2023 and their next review will be on 20 June 2026
The image used for this article has been supplied through Canva and has no direct link to the information
