TMJ Headache

Written by Stephanie Booth
Medically Reviewed by Jabeen Begum, MD on February 13, 2025
8 min read

You have a temporomandibular joint (TMJ) on either side of your face that connects your jaw to your skull. It helps with important functions, such as opening your mouth to talk and chewing food. So how can TMJ cause headaches? If this joint stops working as it should, it can cause pain across your face and head.

Your TMJ is the most used joint in your body. One part of it acts as a hinge, while the other part allows your bones to glide past each other. Between these two parts lies a disk made of strong, flexible tissue called cartilage. It acts as a shock absorber and helps your TMJ smoothly open and close.

If this disk moves out of place, gets torn, or if something causes your TMJ bones to fuse together, you have what’s called a temporomandibular disorder (TMD).

TMD is a broad term that includes more than 30 disorders that can affect your TMJ, jaw muscles, and some facial nerves.

A TMJ headache is a type of TMD.

It can be caused by many different things, including:

  • Using your jaw too much (for instance, chewing on something sticky or hard, or chewing something for a long time)
  • Teeth clenching or grinding (this is called bruxism, so you might hear that you have a “bruxism headache”)
  • An injury to your jaw, head, or neck
  • Arthritis

Many long-term health conditions have also been linked to TMD, including:

  • Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Chronic back pain
  • Chronic fatigue syndrome
  • Mental health issues such as anxiety and depression
  • Sleep issues
  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Tinnitus (ear ringing)
  • Chronic pelvic pain
  • Arthritis

A flare-up of these conditions could worsen your TMD symptoms, or vice versa. Experts are still trying to figure out the link.

Your genes, how you manage stress, and how you perceive pain could also play a part in TMD.

You might have heard that having issues with your teeth, such as having a “bad” bite or wearing braces, can lead to TMD, but there’s no proof that this is true.

About 41% of the time, TMD happens because the disk in your TMJ has gotten out of place. If that’s the cause of your TMJ/TMD and headaches, your symptoms will start slowly and worsen over time.

For instance:

Stage I. In this early stage, you’ll hear a clicking noise while moving your jaw, but it won’t hurt and you won’t have other symptoms.
Stage II. Your clicking becomes painful. Your jaw may feel tight and sometimes “lock up.” This stage is when TMJ headaches usually start.
Stage III. Along with frequent headaches, you’ll have more pain, a tender jaw, and not be able to open your mouth as wide as usual.
Stage IV. You’ll have the same symptoms as those of stage III, but now, they’re more intense or happen more often. If your doctor does an imaging test, they’ll be able to see that the disk in your jaw is not where it should be. The tissue around it may also have started to break down.
Stage V. In this late stage of TMD, your jaw pain may start to lessen, but your jaw will have even less range of motion.

If your headache is due to TMD, your symptoms might include:

  • Pain in one or more parts of your head or face
  • Pain that gets worse when you move your jaw or chew hard food
  • Trouble opening your mouth all the way
  • A clicking, popping, or grating sound when you move your jaw
  • Soreness in one or both sides of your jaw
  • A change in how your upper and lower teeth fit together
  • Dizziness
  • Ringing in your ears
  • Sensitive teeth (not due to another reason)

TMJ headache locations

It’s common to feel the most pain in these areas:

  • Jaw
  • Cheeks
  • Behind your eyes 
  • Temples (the sides of your forehead)

You could also ache around your ears and in your shoulders, neck, and upper back.

Start by talking to your regular doctor or dentist. It can be helpful to track your symptoms before your visit. That way, you can explain when you have headaches and what makes them worse or better.

Your doctor or dentist will ask questions about your health. Then, they’ll examine your jaw and watch how it moves. They may also look inside your mouth to see how your upper and lower teeth line up, and whether they spot any signs of teeth grinding.

Sometimes, an imaging test such as a panoramic X-ray, CT scan, MRI, or ultrasound is ordered. This can give your doctor a more detailed look at what’s going on inside your jaw.

TMJ headaches can be mistaken for other types of chronic headaches, especially migraines. But there are some big differences.

For instance, when you have a migraine episode, you’ll feel intense throbbing pain in your head. Right before or after the pain starts, you could have a sensory disturbance (aura) such as: 

  • Going numb or weak in your face or another part of your body
  • Tingling in an arm or leg
  • Not being able to see
  • Seeing flashes of lights or bright spots
  • Finding it hard to talk

A TMJ headache won’t cause an aura. Certain things, such as bright lights and loud sounds, can also worsen migraine pain. But they won’t affect a TMJ headache.

Treating TMD will be key to your headache treatment. To do that, your doctor may suggest:

Relaxation techniques. Deep breathing, meditation, or other mindfulness techniques can help you better manage stress. That may make you less likely to clench your jaw or grind your teeth.

Physical therapy. Studies show that this is a good way to improve TMD symptoms. A physical therapist can teach you exercises that will stretch your jaw and improve how well it moves. They can also use special techniques, like soft tissue massage, to help ease your pain.

Ultrasound therapy. In this, a small device gently sends heat into your TMJ. This can help get your jaw muscle to loosen up and increase blood flow to the area to promote healing.

Medications. Your doctor may prescribe a muscle relaxer or an antidepressant, which can change how you sense pain. Make sure to follow the directions on the label.

Injections. If you’re having muscle spasms in your jaw, your doctor could give you a shot of an anesthetic drug or Botox. This could give you some fast relief.

Some experts caution against TMD treatments that make permanent changes to your jaw or teeth. Some of these involve complex surgery. Others, like placing crowns on your teeth, grinding down your teeth, or trying to move some of your teeth, haven’t been shown to work. In fact, they could make TMJ headaches or other symptoms worse.

If your doctor or dentist suggests surgery, get a second opinion. Look for a doctor who specializes in TMD, and make sure you know all the risks.

How to treat pain immediately

To get quick relief for your TMJ and the headaches it causes, try:

Medication. An over-the-counter pain reliever (such as acetaminophen) or a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) such as ibuprofen could do the trick. Check with your doctor first if you take other medications or have an ongoing health condition.

Heat or cold. A warm compress or cold pack can help soothe pain in your head and face. Apply for 15 minutes at a time. You may find that alternating between heat and cold helps your symptoms the most.

Rest your jaw. Softly say the word “mine.” When you make the “n” sound, your tongue will be near the roof of your mouth. Your lips will be relaxed and your teeth apart. This position will help rest your jaw. Remember to return to this resting position throughout your day.

A lot of the time, TMD symptoms will go away with lots of self-care. That can mean making changes to your usual habits and developing some new ones.

TMJ mouth guard

If you grind or clench your teeth a lot when you sleep, an occlusal splint, or a mouth guard, might help. Made out of a material like plastic, this device fits over your teeth at night. It’s designed to keep your jaw in the proper place. It can also protect your teeth from getting worn down.

You can buy some mouth guards at the store, but a custom-made type will fit your teeth better. That will help your jaw muscles relax more, which can improve your symptoms.

Other lifestyle changes that can help ease TMJ headache pain:

Don’t overuse your jaw. For instance, chewing gum, biting your nails, or tearing things with your teeth may worsen TMJ headaches. A physical therapist can help you replace these habits with ones that won’t hurt your TMJ.

Watch what you eat. Take small bites and chew your food well. Try to avoid eating:

  • Bread
  • Thick or tough cuts of meat
  • Raw vegetables
  • Salad
  • Popcorn
  • Nuts

If your pain is intense, you might opt for foods you don’t need to chew at all, such as soups or pasta. Or you could puree your food in a blender until you start feeling better.

Get moving. Regular exercise can help reduce stress, which can trigger or worsen TMJ headaches.

Get enough sleep. Studies show that getting enough rest can help improve your pain. Avoid sleeping on your stomach since this can put pressure on your face. If you’re a side sleeper, don’t put your hand or arm under your head. Rest your ear, not your jaw, on your pillow.

Always call your doctor if your headaches, or other TMD symptoms, get worse, not better.

TMJ headaches are a common type of TMD. Over-the-counter pain relief and home care can help you feel better. TMD often resolves itself in a week or two, but if you have a severe case, it might persist for much longer. Consult your doctor so they can rule out other medical conditions, and let them know right away if your headaches or other symptoms get worse.

What can be mistaken for TMJ?

Many conditions have symptoms that overlap with TMJ and headache pain, including:

  • Dental issues (such as an infected tooth)
  • Ear infections
  • Connective tissue disorders (like Ehlers-Danlos syndrome)
  • Facial neuralgia (nerve pain in your face)
  • Lyme disease
  • Other types of headaches
  • Sinus infection
  • Some types of cancer

What does a TMJ flare-up feel like?

You’ll have jaw pain that worsens during or after using your jaw — for instance, when you talk, chew, or yawn. Although you may at first feel sore in front of one or both of your ears, the ache usually spreads to your cheeks, sides of your head, and neck. Some people even feel TMJ pain in their teeth. You’ll also notice that you can’t open your mouth as wide as you usually can.

How do you know if TMJ is inflamed?

Your jaw will feel very sore, especially when you use it. Some people also notice that their jaw muscles feel bigger than usual.