5 Common Causes of Jaw Tension and How to Treat Them

Jaw tension and pain are common problems affecting millions of people in the U.S. alone. Mild symptoms often go away on their own or are managed with OTC pain medication. Severe jaw tension symptoms, including pain, stiffness, tenderness, restricted jaw mobility, and painful chewing, require dental treatment to achieve long-term relief. At Stein Family Dentistry, we’ll evaluate your condition, identify what’s causing your symptoms, and recommend the best treatment.

Your Spokane, Washington dentist, Dr. Andy Stein, and our team explore common causes and treatments of jaw tension here. 

1. Stress

For many people, stress is the culprit behind many health issues, among which is jaw tension and pain. People tend to clench their jaw when experiencing stress or anxiety, causing their jaw muscles to become tense and painful. Jaw clenching can occur when you’re asleep or awake, without you realizing it. If you’re prone to stress or anxiety due to a hectic lifestyle, finding ways to relax is essential to your oral and overall health. Exercise, yoga, meditation, and other calming activities can help ease jaw tension in the long term. 

2. Temporomandibular Joint Disorders 

Your temporomandibular joints (TMJs) connect your lower jaw to your skull. Healthy TMJs are essential for jaw mobility as they enable you to chew, swallow, and speak with ease. Malfunction of your TMJs can lead to temporomandibular joint disorders (TMDs), characterized by jaw tension, stiffness, restricted jaw movements, and other painful symptoms. Bruxism, arthritis, stress, and jaw injuries can contribute to this condition. Stress management, a custom night guard, jaw exercises, and medications are all possible solutions to relieving TMD symptoms. 

3. Bruxism (Teeth Grinding)

Uncontrolled teeth grinding while sleeping can strain your jaw joints and muscles, leading to tension, soreness, and pain. Genetics is a common cause of bruxism, with stress, sleep disorders, and misaligned teeth contributing to this issue. A night guard is a device you wear over your teeth while you sleep to keep them from grinding. This will help ease jaw tension symptoms. Dr. Stein can customize a night guard for your use.  

4. Excessive Chewing

Excessive chewing is yet another possible cause of jaw tension. Consistent gum chewing or eating hard or chewy foods can strain the jaw muscles and joints, leading to tension and discomfort. You can avoid this problem by avoiding excessively hard or chewy foods and taking breaks in between bites to spread out your chewing.

5. Jaw Injuries or Untreated Dental Issues

Jaw tension symptoms can also be caused by jaw injuries and inflammation from decay, gum infections, or other untreated dental issues. Treating the injury or dental condition will help relieve the tension and pain and restore your oral health.

Jaw Tension Treatments Near Me

Jaw tension isn’t something you have to live with. At Stein Family Dentistry, we can help you find solutions to jaw issues that cause tension and pain so that you can achieve long-term relief. To learn more about the causes, symptoms, and treatments of jaw tension, contact Dr. Andy Stein in Spokane, WA at (509) 463-1770. 

Share this Article