Jaw pain causes and what to do: from temporomandibular disorder to signs that need care

In Korea, jaw pain often comes from strain building up in the jaw joint just in front of the ear or in the muscles used to chew, a condition called temporomandibular disorder (TMD). The National Health Information Portal of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA, 질병관리청) explains that TMD commonly settles on its own or goes back and forth, and that treatment starts with methods that can be reversed. However, cavities, wisdom tooth inflammation and, rarely, angina can also show up as jaw pain, so it is important to first sort out what kind of pain it is.

Published 2026-11-08 · Updated 2026-11-08 · DentalStatics editorial team

Key facts

Other names	Temporomandibular joint disorder, temporomandibular disorder, craniomandibular disorder (source: KDCA National Health Information Portal)
Typical symptoms	Pain in the jaw, ear, head and face, limited jaw movement, jaw joint noises (source: KDCA National Health Information Portal)
Age most affected	In a study of 3,428 patients, most were between 15 and 45 (source: KDCA National Health Information Portal)
Sex ratio of patients seeking treatment	Female-dominant, from 1:3 to 1:9 (male to female) (source: KDCA National Health Information Portal)
Treatment principle	Reversible treatment is done first (source: KDCA National Health Information Portal)
Occlusal stabilization splint	Listed as a TMD-related item in the non-covered services information guide (source: National Health Insurance Service (NHIS, 국민건강보험공단))
Caution after wisdom tooth removal	If swelling or pain increases after 3 days, or difficulty opening the mouth continues, suspect infection (source: KDCA National Health Information Portal)
Angina signal that can reach the jaw	Chest discomfort can appear in the jaw, neck or shoulder; call 119 if suspected (source: KDCA National Health Information Portal)

Where exactly does jaw pain come from?

The jaw joint is where the lower jawbone meets the skull, and there is one in front of each ear. If you open and close your mouth with a finger in front of your ear, you can feel the moving part. Jaw pain can come from this joint, or from the chewing muscles (masticatory muscles) that span the cheek and the temple.

Seoul National University Hospital's medical information divides TMD into disorders of the joint itself and disorders of the muscles around the jaw, and explains that the two often occur together. Muscle pain tends to feel like an aching, tight sensation in the cheek or the side of the head, while joint pain shows up as pain in front of the ear when chewing or yawning. Noting whether the pain is on one side or both, and whether it hurts only when you move your mouth or even at rest, helps narrow down the cause at the exam.

Why does jaw pain happen?

The National Health Information Portal holds that the cause of TMD is hard to pin on one thing and that it arises from several contributing factors overlapping. So treating jaw pain starts with finding the everyday factors that strain the jaw and reducing them one by one. Below are the typical contributing factors named by official sources.

Mental state also affects jaw pain. The National Health Information Portal explains that emotions such as anger, anxiety and depression, when they last a long time, can both cause TMD and get in the way of treatment. NHIS material treats everyday stress not as a direct cause but as an aggravating factor that makes jaw symptoms worse.

Teeth grinding, clenching, biting nails or lips, frequent gum chewing
Resting the chin on a hand, cradling a phone between jaw and shoulder, a forward head posture
Hard, tough foods such as dried squid, and the habit of chewing on only one side
Everyday stress such as conflict at work or in the family, and anxiety or depression
A past jaw injury, or a systemic disease such as arthritis

Can the jaw hurt for reasons other than the jaw joint?

Not all pain around the jaw is TMD. Pain from a deep cavity or a cracked tooth can feel as if it has spread across the whole jaw, and inflammation of the gum around a wisdom tooth can cause swelling and make it harder to open the mouth. The KDCA advises that if swelling or pain increases 3 days after a wisdom tooth is removed, or difficulty opening the mouth continues, infection should be suspected.

Rarely, heart disease also shows up as jaw pain. The angina information on the National Health Information Portal explains that chest discomfort can also appear in other places such as the shoulder, arm, neck and jaw. If your jaw feels tight when walking or exerting yourself and you also have chest tightness or shortness of breath, emergency care comes before the dentist.

What other symptoms come with jaw pain?

The National Health Information Portal and NHIS material list pain, limited jaw movement and joint noises as the main symptoms of TMD. Jaw pain is typically worse when chewing or moving the jaw, and symptoms like the following may appear together.

A clicking or grating sound when opening or closing the mouth
The mouth does not open fully, or the lower jaw deviates to one side when opening
A tight, band-like headache at the temples and side of the head
Pain in front of the ear or inside the ear, and in some people ringing in the ears and dizziness
Neck and shoulders feel stiff as well, or the jaw feels tired in the morning

How does a dentist diagnose jaw pain?

The exam starts by measuring how wide you can open your mouth and how far you can move the lower jaw from side to side. The dentist presses on the jaw joint and chewing muscles to find the sore spots, and listens to or feels for joint sounds. The dentist also checks whether the teeth are excessively worn and whether tooth marks are imprinted on the inside of the cheeks or the tongue, as signs of teeth grinding.

If needed, imaging such as X-rays, CT or MRI is done. NHIS material explains that MRI is particularly useful for checking changes in the articular disc and soft tissue. If jaw pain has lasted more than 6 months or treatment has failed several times, psychological factors such as stress and anxiety are also included in the assessment. Before the visit, it helps to note when the jaw pain started, which movements make it worse, the medicines you take and any past dental treatment, to assist with the history.

In what order is jaw pain treated?

The National Health Information Portal sums up the goals of TMD treatment as relieving symptoms, maintaining daily function and preventing recurrence, and explains that doing reversible treatment first is the preferable order. Reversible treatment means treatment that does not grind down or replace teeth or the joint and can be undone.

Irreversible treatments such as occlusal adjustment, joint lavage, arthroscopic procedures and jaw joint surgery are considered only in special cases that do not improve with conservative treatment. The occlusal splint is listed as a TMD-related item in the NHIS non-covered services information guide, so it is a good idea to confirm the cost and whether insurance applies with the dentist before treatment. Seoul National University Hospital's medical information explains that an occlusal splint should be made to fit the individual's tooth arrangement and is more effective when combined with other treatments than when used alone.

Exercise therapy: repeat basic exercises such as the resting tongue position, jaw rotation exercises and neck stretching as prescribed
Behavioral therapy: noticing and reducing habits such as clenching and resting the chin on a hand
Physical therapy: cold and heat therapy, electrical stimulation, laser therapy and so on
Occlusal splint: a removable device covering all the teeth, worn mainly at night
Medication: short-term anti-inflammatory painkillers, muscle relaxants, and antidepressants for chronic pain

How can I manage jaw pain at home, and when should I get care?

Seoul National University Hospital's medical information advises cutting back on hard, tough foods, chewing evenly on both sides, and being careful not to open the mouth suddenly wide. With the face relaxed, the upper and lower teeth should be slightly apart, so if you notice your teeth touching during the day, practice relaxing the jaw.

If jaw pain continues or keeps coming back, it is a good idea to have a dental exam to confirm the cause. Do not put off care in the following cases in particular.

When the mouth suddenly will not open or will not close
When the area around a wisdom tooth is swollen, you have a fever and opening the mouth is hard
When the jaw stiffens after an injury, the neck gets stiff and swallowing is difficult
When chest tightness, cold sweats or shortness of breath come with jaw pain (call 119)
When jaw pain keeps you from eating or sleeping properly

Detailed guides

Frequently asked questions

Does jaw pain go away on its own if left alone?

The National Health Information Portal explains that TMD is often self-limiting or comes and goes, and that its prevalence falls with age. However, long-term follow-up data are still limited, and Seoul National University Hospital's medical information advises that if left untreated, limited mouth opening can last a long time and degenerative changes can develop in the joint bone. If jaw pain keeps recurring, it is safer to have the cause checked once.

Which department should I go to for jaw pain?

TMD is treated at the dentist, and within dentistry, oral medicine and oral and maxillofacial surgery mainly handle jaw joint disease. NHIS material advises consulting an oral and maxillofacial surgeon who specializes in the jaw joint when irreversible treatment such as surgery is being considered. If ear pain or ringing in the ears is also present, an ENT clinic can check that there is no ear disease.

Does health insurance cover an occlusal splint?

The NHIS non-covered services information guide lists, as TMD-related items, the occlusal splint, the soft occlusal splint, the anterior repositioning appliance, and adjustment, relining and reconstruction of the device. The cost of a device varies by dental clinic and type of device, so before it is made it is a good idea to ask about the total cost and whether later adjustment costs are included.

Is it okay to apply a warm or cold compress for jaw pain?

Physical therapy for TMD includes both cold therapy and heat therapy. However, when to use cold and when to use warmth at home can depend on the pain pattern, so it is a good idea to get instructions at the exam. If swelling or warmth around the jaw gets worse even after a compress, other causes such as infection need to be checked. When applying a compress, wrap it in a towel so the skin is not damaged and keep it short.

What should I do if my jaw hurts and my chest feels tight too?

Angina discomfort can show up in the jaw, neck or shoulder instead of the chest. If the jaw tightens with exertion along with chest tightness, cold sweats or shortness of breath, do not wait for a dental appointment; ask for help by calling 119. The National Health Information Portal also advises calling 119 right away if angina symptoms are suspected. While waiting for the ambulance, stop what you are doing and rest.

Do I need treatment if my jaw only makes noise and does not hurt?

According to the National Health Information Portal, jaw joint signs are common, with about 75% of Westerners having at least one sign of dysfunction such as joint sounds or tenderness. Whether treatment is needed when there is only noise is decided by a dental exam. If pain, a catching feeling or limited mouth opening develops along with the noise, it is better to bring the visit forward.

References

Korean version →