# Help!--Sore Jaw Muscles **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [March 22, 2001, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-sore-jaw-muscles/59058 "2001-03-22T21:27:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Silo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ac91a4/32.png) [@Silo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Silo)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2001, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-sore-jaw-muscles/59058/1 "2001-03-22T21:27:00Z")
Lately (the past few months) I have been having trouble with my jaw. It is almost constantly sore. ☹ Many mornings, I wake up my jaw muscles are tense - like I’ve been clenching my teeth all nite. And going throughout the day I’m constantly consciously trying to relax my jaw. I’ve tried meditation, muscle relaxation techniques, but nothing seems to work well. I’ve taken dexedrine for many years to assist me with my ADD but lately I’ve rarely been taking it because it exacerbates the problem significantly. Basically I’m in a rut with this problem. What should I do about it? I’ve done some research on the web, but aside from getting a mouthpiece to wear at nite (which maybe I should get), there doesn’t _seem_ to much that can be done about it. Should I see some type of doctor that deals with this sort of thing? What kind of doctor would that be? Anyone else have/had this problem? Found anything effective? Need help on this. Thanks -Mike ---
**Author:** ![dublos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f08c70/32.png) [@dublos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dublos)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2001, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-sore-jaw-muscles/59058/2 "2001-03-22T21:44:00Z")
**Silo** My recommendation would be to start with your family doctor (or if you don’t have one, a GP at whatever medical facility you have the best health coverage at) and let them tell you who’s the best specialist for your symptoms. I have absolutely no medical background or knowledge so I have clue what might be causing your soreness. -Doug ---
**Author:** ![TwoOnes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eb8c5e/32.png) [@TwoOnes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TwoOnes)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2001, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-sore-jaw-muscles/59058/3 "2001-03-22T22:54:25Z")
After you see the family doctor take a trip to the dentist. He/She can tell you if you are doing damage to your teeth. A night device can be the answer. I got mine about 5 years ago (for around $300 US)and have found that I rarely have jaw pain anymore. If you do decide to go this route be prepared for several trips to the dentist. IIRC, one trip to make the mold, one to pick up the device, and a couple of visits over the next few weeks to check the alignment. In my opinion it was worth every penny (my dental insurance would not cover the cost). Hope you have some luck! ---
**Author:** ![aschrott](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/aca169/32.png) [@aschrott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aschrott)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2001, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-sore-jaw-muscles/59058/4 "2001-03-22T22:59:35Z")
My first suspect would be your TMJ (Temporomandibular joint), but I also have no medical training. If you’re curious, WebMD has this to say on the subject: > **[WebMD - Better information. Better health.](https://www.webmd.com)** > > The leading source for trustworthy and timely health and medical news and information. Providing credible health information, supportive community, and educational services by blending award-winning expertise in content, community services, expert... I have had this problem myself…I know how aggravating it can be to feel the way you are describing. ---
**Author:** ![Shayna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shayna/32/17976_2.png) [@Shayna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shayna)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2001, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-sore-jaw-muscles/59058/5 "2001-03-22T23:02:37Z")
**Silo** , I am not a doctor, but from the brief description you have given, it sounds like you might have [TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint Syndrome).](http://health.yahoo.com/health/diseases_and_conditions/disease_feed_data/temporomandibular_joint __tmj__ syndrome) > [@](#): > > Temporomandibular joints (TMJ) connect the lower jaw (mandible) to the skull. Problems arising in this area may cause various symptoms such as headaches, popping sounds in the jaw, and facial pain. The causes of problems are multiple and can include congenital anomalies, arthritis, fractures, dislocations, and tension-relieving habits such as **jaw clenching** or tooth grinding behaviors (bruxism), which may cause muscle spasms in the jaw and dental misalignment. Nevertheless, physical examination may be normal. > > \ > > \*\*Symptoms \*\* > [ul] > [li]headache[/li][li] **jaw pain or tenderness of the jaw** [/li][li] **dull, aching facial pain** [/li][li]biting or chewing difficulty or discomfort[/li][li]clicking sound while chewing or opening the mouth[/li][li]grating sensation while chewing[/li][li]decreased ability to open or close the mouth[/ul][/li] I would recommend that you start out with a dentist and get a referral to a maxillofacial surgeon (not that you’ll need surgery, or anything, but that’s probably the type of specialist you’ll need to see). I don’t know the value of this site, but you can do an online diagnosis [here](http://www.medical-library.org/journals/mddx/headache/1_temporo_mandibular_joint_syndrome.htm). Good luck! ---
**Author:** ![frolix8](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/f04885/32.png) [@frolix8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/frolix8)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2001, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-sore-jaw-muscles/59058/6 "2001-03-23T00:08:41Z")
If you search for TMD and myofacial pain you will get plenty of info. I’ve had it for some time, and have chronic pain as a result. My doctor thinks it’s a dental problem and my dentist just wants to do more root canals, as far as I’m concerned they’re both idiots. It’s one of the problems no one wants to deal with. If you have any luck finding relief let us know, I’m tired of being in pain every day and eating soft, lukewarm food. ---
**Author:** ![Chas.E](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e99b99/32.png) [@Chas.E](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chas.E)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2001, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-sore-jaw-muscles/59058/7 "2001-03-23T01:06:40Z")
Yep, this sounds like classic TMJ syndrome. It can be aggravated by grinding your teeth, mostly at night during sleep. The biggest aggravating factor is stress. The other biggest factor is malocclusion, which just means your teeth don’t meet evenly when you bite down, putting uneven pressures on your teeth and jaw joint, and stressing your muscles and facial nerves. There are a couple of moderately successful treatments. Occlusal adjustment worked for me, but I only had minor malocclusion (it’s amazing how little malocclusion can cause me terrible trouble). My treatment consisted of biting on carbon paper, and my dentist shaved down the highest points. This made my bite fit together more evenly, and eliminated my chronic migraines. But this wouldn’t work for people with really bad malocclusion, sometimes braces, even surgery are necessary. Consult an orthodontist for a professional diagnosis. Find a GOOD orthodontist who takes a conservative approach, because this sort of treatment is irreversible. Another strategy is the “mouth guard” which is sort of like those mouth guards they wear in football or boxing, except it’s specially constructed to reduce stress on the jaw when grinding your teeth. You wear it at night when sleeping. Both of these methods require a fairly high level of expertise from someone with fairly recent training. TMJ syndrome was poorly understood until very recently. ---
**Author:** ![edwino](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/35a633/32.png) [@edwino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/edwino)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2001, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-sore-jaw-muscles/59058/8 "2001-03-23T01:14:56Z")
It may be sleep bruxism (grinding your teeth during sleep). It is quite common, and IIRC most people at some point in their life brux. A good dentist can tell in about 10 seconds whether or not you are grinding. Treated with a simple bite guard, unlike TMJ which requires more IIRC. I have a medical background but it is quickly becoming out of date so take my advice with a grain of salt. ---
**Author:** ![handy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5a626/32.png) [@handy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handy)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2001, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-sore-jaw-muscles/59058/9 "2001-03-23T16:23:07Z")
Hey, don’t take medical advice from us we don’t want to get sued. See a doctor. Or, hey, try some ifobrufen for a couple days. ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2001, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-sore-jaw-muscles/59058/10 "2001-03-23T16:35:06Z")
I have suffered from TMJ for years, suffered blinding headaches on a daily basis. Misdiagnosed as a sinus condition, I even had a nose job on the advice of my doctor. After 20+ yrs, it was a new dentist who noticed the telltale stress evident on my teeth. That one tiny piece of information changed my life, literally. No more headaches, after a few sleepless nights I broke the habit of clenching my jaw on my own. A feat which mightily impressed my dentist. I was given naproxen for the pain, very effective, so I would recommend you take Alleve instead of ibruprophen. Another thing you might try, which my doctor recommended, was get a mouth guard like hockey players wear, not very expensive and can effectively break your nighttime jaw clenching habit. Good luck to you. ---
**Author:** ![Photog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c77e96/32.png) [@Photog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Photog)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2001, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-sore-jaw-muscles/59058/11 "2001-03-23T21:27:03Z")
I’m just going to throw my 2 cents in here in the hopes that, if all of the sound medical advice you’ve received from others who’ve replied doesn’t cure the problem, my experience may. I, too, have recently been experiencing jaw pain, particularly in the morning. I took a wild guess at the cause and it seems to have been correct. I’ve simply been spending a lot of time surfing the web. “How can this cause jaw pain?” you might ask. Well, while surfing, I have the nasty habit of propping an elbow up on the desk and resting my chin on my fist…thus applying pressure to the side of my jaw and pusshing it out of alignment…the force of which I subconciously resist by using my jaw muscles. I broke the habit, and the pain is gone.