TMJ and jaw treatment in Summerland

What are TMJ and jaw problems?

The temporomandibular joints, or TMJs, sit just in front of your ears.

Jaw concerns may involve these joints or the muscles around them. Clicking without pain or difficulty moving is common and usually doesn't need treatment. Most jaw pain is mild and often settles with simple care. For some people it lasts longer, or comes and goes.

Where you may feel it

• In front of the ear. The jaw joint itself may ache, click or feel stiff when you open your mouth.
• In the chewing muscles. Your cheeks and temples can feel tender or tired, especially after clenching or a lot of chewing.
• In your head and neck. Jaw pain can come with headaches around the temples, and with neck pain. Read more on the neck pain page.
• From somewhere else. Toothache can be felt in the jaw. Rarely, jaw pain comes from the heart, sometimes without chest pain. The lists below say when to see a dentist or doctor first.

Common signs

Jaw problems feel different from person to person. An assessment may be helpful if any of these sound familiar.

• Clicking with pain. Clicking or popping that comes with pain or difficulty moving your jaw.
• A jaw that catches. A jaw that catches, locks or doesn't open comfortably. If it locks, check the lists below.
• Aching. Aching around your jaw or the side of your face.
• Clenching or grinding. Clenching or grinding that leaves your jaw sore or tired.
• Headaches with jaw pain. Headaches that occur alongside jaw discomfort.
• Jaw pain after an injury. New or severe symptoms after a collision need medical or dental assessment first. Check the warning signs below.

When to get help

How I assess jaw problems

1. 1
   We talk first. I ask about pain, movement and how your jaw affects eating, talking and sleep. Tell me if you clench or grind, and what you've already tried.
2. 2
   I look at how your jaw and neck move. I check how your jaw opens, closes and moves side to side, and listen for clicking, popping or grinding. I press on the chewing muscles and temples. I also look at how your neck moves and how you hold your head and neck. That's one part of the picture, not the whole answer.
3. 3
   I check whether a dentist or doctor should see it first. Tooth, gum and bite problems belong with your dentist, and some of the signs above need your doctor. If that applies, I tell you before we go any further.
4. 4
   We agree on a plan. We'll discuss what the assessment suggests before deciding on treatment. If you want to start and it's suitable, treatment can begin at that visit.

A first visit for jaw pain takes about 40 minutes, and a follow-up about 20. Jaw assessment and care are part of a regular appointment, and fees and payment are on the new patients page.

Treatment options

Your symptoms, assessment and comfort guide the plan. Tell me how treatment feels as we go. I can adjust the pressure, change the approach or stop at any time.

What you can do at home

Simple care is the usual first step for jaw pain. Before your visit and between visits:

• Eat softer foods for a while, such as eggs, yogurt, soup or pasta, and cut food into small bites.
• Skip chewing gum, and avoid biting into hard or chewy food with your front teeth.
• Keep yawns small, and try not to open very wide, as you might when singing loudly.
• Try heat or cold, such as a warm, moist cloth or an ice pack wrapped in a towel, whichever feels better.
• Notice what your jaw does during the day. If you catch yourself clenching, let your teeth part and your jaw relax.
• Don't hold the phone between your ear and your shoulder.
• Talk to a pharmacist about pain medicine for jaw pain, and follow the label.
• See your dentist about night grinding. Whether you need a night guard is your dentist's call.
• Let me know if your jaw is getting worse. Texts are welcome, but I'm often mid-appointment. If your jaw locks, or you notice another warning sign above, get medical or dental help first.

Common questions