Why Stress Can Cause Jaw Pain (And What to Do About It)

You have a lot going on in your life. With deadlines, demands, and ever-growing to-do lists on your personal and professional agendas, the last thing you need is unexplained jaw pain.

Yet, here it is — and you find yourself wondering if stress is causing this new discomfort or if it’s something serious that should be added to your list of things to take care of.

It may be tempting to overlook minor jaw problems and hope they resolve on their own. But stress-induced physical issues rarely disappear before they worsen.

Let’s look at how your jaw pain could be related to the stress in your life, and how you can fix it quickly.

How Stress Affects Jaw Muscles and Teeth

No matter how well you handle it, ongoing stress takes a physical toll. You might not realize it, but the tension in your environment affects every system in your body.

That stomach ache you’re feeling? Gastrointestinal stress. The chest pain you’ve put off? Cardiovascular stress. And the jaw discomfort? Musculoskeletal stress-related.

Even your reproductive and endocrine systems (responsible for hormone production) are affected by stress. So when you think you’re overreacting to the problems around you, there’s a good chance you’re actually under-reacting to what’s going on inside your body.

Stress and Your Musculoskeletal System

Internal and external conflict prompt the brain to release stress hormones, such as cortisol and adrenaline. This system is designed to respond to danger and injury, triggering inflammation and the rush of white blood cells to the affected area. High cortisol levels increase muscle tension, keeping you ready for fight-or-flight.

The system works well when there’s an actual issue, like an outside threat, a cut, or a germ attack. But chronic stress means there’s no real danger, and, therefore, no way for the cortisol to be released.

For many people, muscle tension is released through jaw clenching and teeth grinding while asleep, a condition known as bruxism.

The Path From Grinding to Your Jaw Pain

Grinding your teeth doesn’t sound like a huge deal — until you realize just how strong you are.

The average adult bruxer puts an excessive force of about 250 psi (pounds per square inch) on their jaw. Think of this as an excited dog ripping into a steak. Try pulling that piece of meat away from them, and you’ll realize how strong the force of your grinding is.

The problem with that level of grinding and clenching is that your teeth, although strong, can’t handle the stress for hours while you sleep. The jaw muscles are clenched, and the tooth enamel and gums are trying to withstand the pressure of your grinding. This eventually leads to cracked, chipped, and broken teeth.

Due to overuse and fatigue of the facial and jaw muscles, your neck and shoulder muscles become tight. However, the jaw pain you’re experiencing could be related to TMJ strain and dysfunction.

Your TMJ, short for temporomandibular joint, is a delicate, complex joint that connects the skull and jaw. When stress-related grinding and clenching put extra pressure on the TMJ, it causes swelling and can displace the joint.

Early signs of temporomandibular joint disorders (TMDs) are usually mild, but if left untreated, they can bring on symptoms like:

• Extreme jaw pain
• Trouble moving the mouth
• Headaches
• Earaches

Common Signs of Stress-Related Jaw Pain

If you’ve been dealing with long-term stress, you might not even notice it’s part of your daily life. However, your body does.

This stress shows up as minor warning signs before developing into a bigger problem that may seem like it came out of nowhere. Chances are, though, it was a result of the accumulation of small aches or irritations that were overlooked.

How do you know if you have stress-related jaw pain and it’s not coming from something else?

Here are a few telltale signs that your stress level is running the show in your muscular system:

• You notice your jaw pain is usually worse in the morning.
• Popping and clicking noises are felt or heard when you move your jaw.
• Your jaw and facial muscles feel stiff.
• You can’t open your mouth to its typical range of motion or chew comfortably.
• You have random ear pain, but haven’t had a sinus infection or a cold recently.
• You have flattened, chipped, cracked, or otherwise damaged tooth enamel (your dentist may tell you this, or you notice it yourself).

Even if one or two of these common symptoms are persistent, there’s a problem. The question is, what can you do to feel better?

Home Remedies to Reduce Jaw Discomfort

The best way to eliminate jaw pain related to stress is to, of course, get rid of what’s causing your stress. But that’s not always possible — at least, not immediately.

You want to feel better now, not after your toddlers grow up, your co-workers straighten up, or your other anxiety-inducing problems go away.

Short-Term Relief, Fast

The good news is that there are a few quick and simple techniques you can use anywhere to reduce your pain levels and get back to your day:

• Cold/Ice packs: If you have an ice pack (or a bag of frozen veggies), it’s the perfect way to treat acute strains and sprains. Jaw pain caused by an injury usually brings inflammation and swelling. Ice numbs the pain and slows blood flow to reduce inflammation. Apply it to the affected area for 15 minutes using a cloth barrier to prevent direct contact with the skin.
• Hot packs: Moist heat or heating pads are best for chronic pain, which is likely the category your jaw pain falls under. Heat relaxes muscles, increases blood flow, and reduces soreness and stiffness. Apply heat for 10-15 minutes, several times a day.
• Massage: Strategic massage techniques are particularly effective for reducing TMJ and bruxism-related pain.
• Stretches and exercises: Gentle jaw stretches and exercises may be just enough to loosen the tension in your jaw and relieve those tight muscles. Talk to your doctor about physical therapy to learn the proper movements for you, and discontinue any jaw exercises or stretches if you experience discomfort.
• Relaxation techniques: Relaxation not only reduces stress but also helps alleviate jaw pain. Deep breathing, self-massage, warm baths, and other restful activities can help ease muscle tension, enhance jaw alignment, and mitigate the body’s stress response to calm the nervous system.
• OTC meds: Over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) are recommended by many doctors for pain relief from jaw clenching and teeth grinding. Some topical pain relievers, when applied to the outside of the jaw, can also help.

Getting rid of the pain helps. Yet, proactive care can prevent that jaw discomfort from showing up in the first place.

Long-Term Pain Avoidance

Did you know that making a couple of temporary diet changes can give your jaw muscles time to recover permanently?

Just say no to things that overwork the jaw, like chewing gum, steak, sticky foods, and anything that makes you open your mouth wide (think: apples, carrots, ice, hard objects). A few weeks of food-related rest may be all your TMJ needs to recuperate.

Lifestyle tweaks that improve your well-being are helpful, too. Try a few stress management activities, such as:

• Journaling
• Walking in nature
• Exercise
• Counseling

You may notice that your jaw pain dissipates as your stress subsides, and it becomes easier to engage in your usual daily activities.

Dental and Healthcare Interventions for Stubborn Jaw Pain

As wonderful as it would be if all jaw pain and stress went away so easily, sometimes it’s just plain stubborn.

In those cases, you need more specialized treatment options. It’s time to call your doctor or dental professional to see what’s causing your long-term discomfort.

Night Guards and Jaw Relief

For many people, the first line of defense is a custom-made night guard. Also called an occlusal guard or mouthguard, this thin device is worn while you sleep. It creates a protective barrier between your upper and lower teeth, reducing the pressure caused by clenching and grinding.

A properly fitted night guard, like those we offer at JS Dental Lab, can make a significant difference in:

• Easing jaw tension
• Protecting enamel
• Reducing morning headaches and earaches.

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Bite Adjustments to Relieve Pressure

A more intensive treatment, bite adjustments are another path to relief. Sometimes, the way your upper and lower teeth fit together places uneven stress on certain points. Orthodontic treatments, such as braces or aligners, can help reposition the bite so that pressure is spread more evenly across all teeth.

Prescription Meds and Spasm Reduction

In cases where pain is severe or persistent, medications might be your most surefire pain reliever. Dentists and doctors occasionally prescribe short-term muscle relaxants to help with intense spasms that OTC remedies can’t touch. These prescriptions can provide the jaw with a much-needed break, allowing time for healing to occur.

Dental Restorations For the Jaw Pain Relief Win

Worn-down or damaged teeth can throw off the balance of your bite. Dental restorations, including sealants, fillings, crowns, and veneers, may be part of the solution. Restoring your bite can help stabilize the jaw and alleviate pressure on the joints. This type of corrective work not only reduces pain, but it also strengthens your teeth for long-term health.

When to See a Dentist or Specialist For Chronic Jaw Issues

Should you try to treat your chronic stress yourself and hope your jaw pain goes away?

That decision can be challenging, but there are some signs that it’s time to put the home remedies away and seek medical advice.

Chronic jaw problems often begin small and then gradually worsen over time, so it’s essential to pay attention to patterns. If you’re dealing with persistent pain that doesn’t ease up or even intensifies, it’s a sign to get checked out. This warning is especially true if you’ve had recent dental work to fix an issue and the problems are still persistent.

Pain that interferes with eating or speaking is another clear red flag. Meals shouldn’t feel like a challenge, and conversations shouldn’t come with discomfort. These issues could be related to TMJ pain or misalignment, and a specialist in TMJ disorders can help you control your symptoms.

Clicking and popping in the jaw joint can seem harmless at first, but when it becomes a persistent or louder issue, it’s worth seeking professional input. And if your pain is intensifying (spreading to the neck, causing headaches, radiating outward, making it difficult to eat or speak), seeking medical advice is the safest move.

Conclusion

Ignoring jaw issues can cause them to worsen, turning a manageable condition into a more complex (read: stressful) one. But when your pain is caused by other people, places, or things, taking care of your health is just one more thing on your never-ending to-do list.

The key to relief from your neck pain, tension headaches, and tight jaw could be something as simple as a night guard. Ready to see if an online shopping cart can bring an end to your jaw pain right to your door?

Visit JS Dental Lab today for a professional, custom-made night guard — quick, easy, affordable, and delivered to you for your convenience.

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