Jaw pain, clicking and the TMJ: why it happens and what to do

Updated on 19 February 2026 · by Clínica Dental Bizkaia

In short: pain when opening your mouth, clicking, a tired jaw or earache with nothing wrong in the ear can come from the TMJ, the jaw joint. It usually gets overloaded by bruxism, stress or a misaligned bite. The good news: many cases improve with simple measures.

What is the TMJ?

It’s the temporomandibular joint, the one that connects the jaw to the skull, just in front of the ear. You use it constantly: talking, chewing, yawning. Like any joint, it can get overloaded or misaligned, and then the discomfort appears.

Typical signs

Pain in the jaw, in front of the ear, or rising to the temple.
Clicking or “clicks” when opening or closing.
A feeling that it’s hard to open the mouth, or that it “catches”.
Earache with nothing wrong in the ear, or a morning headache.
A tired jaw when you wake up.

Why does it happen?

It’s almost always a mix:

Bruxism: clenching or grinding overloads the joint and muscles.
Stress: we tend to clench the jaw without realising.
A misaligned bite or habits: biting your nails, chewing gum all the time, resting your face on your hand.

What helps?

Relax the area: gentle heat, don’t force the opening, a soft diet during flare-ups.
A night guard: if there’s bruxism, it protects and relaxes the muscles.
Drop habits: less gum, no nail-biting, being aware of when you clench.
Manage stress, which is one of the big triggers.

When should I go?

If the pain is frequent, you struggle to open, the clicking is getting worse or it locks. The sooner it’s assessed, the simpler the solutions.

Does your jaw click or hurt, or do you wake up with a headache? Come in and we’ll assess it; it often eases with simple measures. The first visit is free: book an appointment.

Frequently asked questions

What is the TMJ?

It's the temporomandibular joint, the one that connects the jaw to the skull, just in front of the ear. You use it to talk, chew and yawn. When it's overloaded or misaligned, pain, clicking or difficulty opening the mouth appear; this is called a TMJ disorder.

Why does my jaw click or hurt?

The most common causes are bruxism (clenching or grinding), stress, a misaligned bite or habits like biting your nails or chewing gum all day. It's often a mix, which is why the pain comes and goes with stressful periods.

When should I see the dentist for jaw pain?

If the pain is frequent, you struggle to open your mouth, the clicking is getting worse or it locks, it's worth having the dentist assess it. Many cases improve with simple measures (relaxing, a night guard, avoiding overload); the sooner it's treated, the better.