My Jaw Hurts, Clicks, or Won't Open Properly. What Is TMJ Dysfunction and What Can Be Done?

Jaw pain is one of the most underreported conditions. People put up with it for months, sometimes years, assuming it is something they have to manage rather than something that can be treated. If your jaw aches, clicks, locks, or makes it difficult to eat, yawn, or open your mouth fully, you are not imagining it, and you do not have to simply live with it.

What is TMJ dysfunction?

The temporomandibular joint, or TMJ, is the joint that connects your lower jaw to your skull. You have one on each side, sitting just in front of your ear. It is one of the most complex joints in the body: it has to open and close, slide forward, and move side to side, often simultaneously. Within the joint is a small disc made of cartilage that acts as a cushion between the bones.

TMJ dysfunction, also called temporomandibular disorder or TMD, is a broad term for problems affecting this joint and the jaw muscles that control jaw movement. It is more common than most people realise. Estimates suggest it affects up to 30 percent of adults at some point in their lives, though many never seek treatment.

What does TMD feel like?

The symptoms vary considerably from person to person, which is part of why TMD is frequently misdiagnosed or attributed to something else. Common presentations include:

• Pain or tenderness in the jaw, particularly on waking or after eating

• A clicking, popping, or grating sound when opening or closing the mouth

• Jaw locking, either in an open or closed position

• Difficulty opening the mouth fully

• Headaches, particularly around the temples and behind the eyes

• Earache or a sensation of fullness in the ear

• Pain in the neck, shoulders, or upper back

• Facial pain or fatigue, particularly by the end of the day

Because many of these symptoms overlap with dental pain, ear conditions, headache disorders, and cervical spine problems, TMD is often investigated last rather than first. Patients sometimes see multiple practitioners before arriving at a diagnosis.

What causes TMD?

There is rarely a single cause. TMD is typically the result of multiple contributing factors, which is why it responds best to a management approach that addresses the whole picture rather than one element in isolation.

Common contributing factors include stress and anxiety, which drive teeth clenching and grinding; sleep disturbance, which is closely linked to increased jaw muscle activity overnight; disc displacement within the joint, where the cartilage cushion shifts out of its normal position; joint arthritis or degeneration; trauma to the jaw or face; and habits such as jaw clenching when concentrating, nail biting, or chewing on hard objects.

There is also a well-established relationship between TMD and obstructive sleep apnoea. People with sleep apnoea have a significantly higher prevalence of sleep grinding and clenching, and treating the sleep disorder often reduces jaw symptoms meaningfully.

How is TMD diagnosed?

A thorough clinical examination is the starting point. At Perth Oral Medicine and Dental Sleep Centre, we take a detailed history of your symptoms, examine your jaw joints and muscles, assess your mouth opening range and movement patterns, and evaluate your bite. We look at how the joint is functioning on both sides and identify whether the problem is primarily muscular, joint-based, or a combination of both.

In some cases, imaging is helpful. An orthopantomogram gives an overview of the joint structures, while MRI is the gold standard for visualising the disc position and detecting changes in the soft tissue of the joint. We will only recommend imaging when the clinical picture warrants it.

What are the treatment options for TMD?

The majority of TMD cases are managed effectively without surgery. Conservative, reversible treatments are the first line of management and produce good outcomes for most patients.

A custom-made occlusal splint is one of the most commonly recommended treatments. Worn during sleep, it reduces the load on the joint and muscles, protects the tooth surfaces from grinding forces, and helps the jaw settle into a more comfortable resting position. It is not a one-size-fits-all device. A well-made, properly fitted splint from a specialist is very different from an over-the-counter device.

Jaw exercises and physiotherapy address the muscular component of TMD. Specific stretching and strengthening exercises improve range of motion, reduce muscle tension, and help retrain jaw movement patterns. These are most effective when taught and monitored by a clinician rather than done from general online instructions.

Dietary modification, specifically a temporary soft diet, reduces the mechanical load on an inflamed or painful joint and gives it a chance to settle. This is a short-term strategy rather than a permanent change.

For patients with a confirmed sleep disorder contributing to their TMD, treating the sleep apnoea is an important part of the management plan. We are uniquely positioned to address both conditions, as our practice focuses on both oral medicine and dental sleep medicine.

In cases where the joint itself has been significantly affected, additional options including injections, or in rare cases referral for surgical assessment, may be discussed. These are not first-line treatments and are only considered when conservative management has not achieved adequate relief.

When should you seek help?

If your jaw pain or dysfunction has been present for more than a few weeks, is affecting your ability to eat or open your mouth comfortably, or is accompanied by restricted mouth opening, locking, or significant headaches, it is worth getting a proper assessment. TMD that is identified and managed early generally responds better to conservative treatment than conditions that have been present and untreated for years.

A referral from your GP or dentist is all you need to be seen at our practice. We will take the time to understand the full picture and put together a treatment plan that makes sense for your situation.

Jaw pain is not something you have to put up with. It is something that can be treated.

To learn more, call us on (08) 9376 6789.

IMPORTANT: This content is for general information purposes only. It does not constitute medical or dental advice. Readers should consult a qualified health professional regarding any personal health concerns.