Why the jaw hurts when chewing, and how to eat to ease the strain on the jaw
A jaw that hurts when chewing is one of the most common complaints in temporomandibular disorder (TMD). In Korea, the National Health Information Portal explains that the main pain of TMD appears in the chewing muscles and around the jaw joint and gets worse when chewing or moving the jaw. However, if it hurts only when a particular tooth is touched, the cause may be in a tooth, such as a cracked tooth or a cavity, so it is better to first work out where it hurts.
Key facts
| Pain pattern | Pain in the chewing muscles and around the jaw joint gets worse when chewing or moving the jaw (source: KDCA National Health Information Portal) |
|---|---|
| Foods to cut back | Hard, tough foods such as dried squid (source: Seoul National University Hospital) |
| Chewing habit | Do not chew on one side only; chew evenly on both sides (source: Seoul National University Hospital) |
| Meal-related contributing factors | Gum chewing, irregular meals (source: KDCA National Health Information Portal) |
| Bite analysis | Check whether the left and right molars meet at the same time with equal force, and for malocclusion or tooth loss (source: Seoul National University Hospital) |
Why does my jaw hurt when I chew?
Chewing is possible only when the jaw joint and several chewing muscles move together. If the muscles are already tense or there is inflammation inside the joint, each chew adds strain and the pain grows. This is why the National Health Information Portal describes TMD pain as pain that gets worse when chewing or moving the jaw.
It is common for the jaw to feel stiff in the evening after chewing tough food for a long time, or for the cheeks and temples to start aching partway through a meal. Seoul National University Hospital's medical information advises avoiding tough, hard foods in particular, since they make you twist the jaw to one side to chew.
The chewing muscles are also used outside mealtimes. The National Health Information Portal names the habit of biting nails, lips or objects as a behavioral contributing factor to TMD, so if you have a habit of holding a pen in your mouth or biting on hard things, it is a good idea to cut that back as well.
How do I tell jaw pain from tooth pain?
Pain from the jaw muscles or jaw joint is usually a dull ache over a wide area such as in front of the ear, the cheek and the temple, and is often uncomfortable when opening or closing the mouth as well. By contrast, if it twinges only when biting with a particular tooth, is sensitive to cold or sweet things, or hurts momentarily when you release a bite, the cause may be in the tooth.
Tooth pain can sometimes feel as if it has spread across the whole jaw, so it is hard to tell apart on your own. At the dentist, the teeth are tapped or bitten on one at a time and X-rays are taken to first check for cavities, cracked teeth and gum inflammation, and then the jaw joint and muscles are examined.
How should I eat when chewing causes jaw pain?
While you have pain, change how you eat so that the jaw works less. Below are eating tips compiled from the guidance of Seoul National University Hospital's medical information and the National Health Information Portal. If it is hard to change everything at once, start by cutting back on tough foods. Sitting up straight and chewing slowly, rather than chewing with your head bowed over a phone, is also a way to reduce strain on the jaw.
- Cut back on foods that need long chewing, such as dried squid, jerky and hard nuts
- Cut food into small pieces so you do not have to open wide
- Do not chew on one side only; chew evenly with the molars on both sides
- Cut back on the habit of chewing gum for a long time
- Eat regularly without skipping meals
Is the way my teeth meet related to jaw pain when chewing?
Seoul National University Hospital's medical information explains that bite analysis is part of the jaw joint diagnosis, checking whether the left and right molars meet at the same time with equal force when chewing or closing, and whether there is malocclusion or tooth loss. If a molar on one side is missing or a prosthesis does not fit, it is easy to end up chewing on only one side.
However, the National Health Information Portal classifies treatments that grind down teeth, such as occlusal adjustment, as irreversible treatment and says they are considered only in special cases that do not improve with conservative treatment. Whether treatment to correct the bite is needed is decided after a thorough exam, and teeth are not ground down right away just because of jaw pain when chewing. If chewing became uncomfortable for the jaw after a new prosthesis was placed, have the bite checked.
What should I do if jaw pain when chewing continues?
If chewing pain continues even after you change how you eat, opening the mouth becomes uncomfortable, or new jaw noises appear, see a dentist. The National Health Information Portal explains that TMD treatment begins with reversible treatment such as exercise therapy, behavioral therapy, physical therapy and occlusal appliances.
If the gum swells and you have a fever or one side of the face swells along with chewing pain, it may be a tooth or gum infection, so seek care promptly. If the pain is concentrated in one tooth and throbs even at night, a problem with the tooth nerve needs to be checked.
Common myths and facts
Myth: To rest the sore side, just chew on the opposite side.
The prevention rule in Seoul National University Hospital's medical information is not to chew on one side only but to chew evenly on both sides. The habit of using only one side is itself named as a cause of TMD.
Myth: Chewing lots of gum trains the jaw muscles and reduces pain.
Gum chewing is a habit that the National Health Information Portal lists as a behavioral contributing factor to TMD. Chewing for a long time while in pain can increase the strain on the muscles.
Myth: If it hurts when chewing, it is always a jaw joint problem.
A cracked tooth, a cavity or gum inflammation can also cause pain when chewing. At the dentist, the teeth are checked for a cause first, and then the jaw joint and muscles are examined.
Frequently asked questions
If my jaw hurts when chewing, do I have to eat only porridge?
There is no need to insist on porridge only. While the pain is severe, soft foods may feel easier, but the basics are to cut back on hard, tough foods, cut food small and chew on both sides. As the pain improves, return gradually to normal meals and watch how the jaw responds. Eating only soft foods for a long time can skew the diet, so cook or finely chop vegetables and protein foods and make sure to eat them.
Why does my jaw start hurting partway through a meal?
If the chewing muscles are already tired or tense, strain builds up as the meal goes on and the pain can appear late. Slowing down and taking smaller bites can ease the load on the muscles, and if the same thing keeps happening, have the muscles checked at an exam.
I am missing a molar on one side and chew only on the other. Does that affect my jaw?
Seoul National University Hospital's medical information checks for tooth loss in the bite analysis of jaw joint diagnosis and regards the habit of chewing on one side only as a cause of TMD. Discussing with the dentist how to restore the missing tooth can help you regain the habit of chewing on both sides.
My jaw also makes noise when I chew. Are both treated together?
Pain when chewing and jaw noises are often symptoms of the same TMD occurring together, so they are evaluated together in one exam. When noise and pain overlap, imaging may be considered to look at the inside of the joint. Telling the dentist when the noise occurs and whether the chewing pain is on the same side as the noise helps the exam.
Does physical therapy help with jaw pain when chewing?
The National Health Information Portal introduces cold and heat therapy, electrical stimulation, laser and biofeedback as physical therapy for TMD, and explains that the effect grows when combined with exercise therapy. If the chewing pain comes from muscle tension, a plan combining physical therapy and jaw exercises can be made.