Last updated October 2026
Jaw pain has a way of creeping into everything: eating, talking, yawning and sleeping. Many people first hear the letters TMJ when they search for answers, and the good news is that most jaw problems are not serious.
★View the Best Orthodontics in Nelson→Here is what TMJ and TMD mean, what tends to cause jaw pain, what you can do yourself and when it is worth getting your jaw checked in Nelson.
TMJ and TMD: what the letters mean
The temporomandibular joints, or TMJs, are the two joints that connect your lower jaw to your skull, just in front of your ears. They let your jaw open, close and move from side to side when you eat and speak.
When people say they “have TMJ”, they usually mean a problem with these joints or the muscles around them. The more accurate term is temporomandibular disorder, or TMD. Health NZ describes TMD as a condition affecting the movement of the jaw that is not usually serious and generally gets better on its own.
What TMD can feel like
Symptoms vary from person to person. According to Health NZ’s information on temporomandibular disorder, you may have:
- Jaw pain
- Headaches
- Earache
- Difficulty opening your mouth
- Clicking or popping noises from your jaw
Jaw clicking or popping without any pain is generally not a cause for concern on its own.
Common causes
- Teeth grinding or clenching
- Puts repeated strain on the jaw muscles and joints, often during sleep
- Stress
- Can lead to tension in the jaw and face, and to more clenching
- An uneven bite
- Can change how the jaw moves and loads the joints
- A blow to the head or face
- Can damage the jaw joint
- Repetitive actions
- Such as gripping a snorkel or scuba regulator for long periods
Can stress trigger jaw pain?
Yes, it can. Stress often shows up as clenching or grinding, sometimes without you noticing, particularly at night. Waking with a tired or aching jaw, or headaches around the temples, can be a sign.
What else can feel like TMJ pain
Pain around the jaw is not always coming from the jaw joint. Toothache, gum problems, ear problems and some types of headache can feel similar. Health NZ suggests having a dental check to make sure a dental problem is not causing the pain.
Self-care that can help
Often you can manage TMD yourself. Health NZ’s self-care advice includes:
- Rest your jaw. When you are not eating or talking, keep your teeth slightly apart, with the tip of your tongue resting on the roof of your mouth.
- Eat softer food. Choose smaller, softer portions and chew with your back teeth, using both sides of your mouth.
- Avoid hard and sticky foods, such as nuts, popcorn, raw apples and peanut butter, while your jaw is sore.
- Avoid straining your jaw. Try not to open your mouth wide, click your jaw or test how far it moves.
- Drop habits that load the jaw, such as chewing gum, biting your nails, or clenching and tapping your teeth.
- Manage stress. Relaxation techniques may help reduce clenching and grinding.
- Try a warm or cold compress on sore jaw or facial muscles.
Is TMJ a lifelong problem?
For most people, no. TMD generally improves, and many people find that self-care and avoiding the things that strain their jaw are enough. If symptoms come back, the same self-care steps are a good place to start, and a check-up can help if they do not settle.
When to get your jaw checked
Talk to a dentist or your doctor if:
- The pain is ongoing or keeps coming back
- You cannot open your mouth properly, or your jaw locks
- The pain is affecting your eating or sleep
- You grind or clench your teeth and are worried about damage to them
- The pain started after an injury to your face or jaw
A dentist will ask about your symptoms and examine your jaw, teeth and bite. Tests are not usually needed, but an X-ray may be suggested.
What help is available
Depending on what is causing the problem, help can come from several places:
- A dentist can check for dental causes and, for some people, fit a mouthguard or splint that is worn over the top teeth to protect them from grinding or clenching.
- A physiotherapist or trained massage therapist with an interest in jaw problems may offer treatment and exercises.
- Your doctor can talk to you about ongoing pain and pain relief.
- Support for stress, such as cognitive behavioural therapy, may help where stress is contributing.
Most people with jaw pain do not need surgery.
Where Quin Dental fits
Quin Dental is a general dental practice on New Street in central Nelson that sees patients with temporomandibular dysfunction (TMD) and jaw pain. Principal dentist Dr Gerry Quin has dedicated many years to studying the connection between jaw joint function and head and neck pain, and the practice can talk you through the treatments available for your situation.
Gerry applies advanced training in TMD and dento-facial development, and the practice’s functional dentistry looks at how teeth, jaws and oral function work together, including the bite and issues such as snoring and sleep apnoea. You can read about the Quin Dental team before you book, and request an appointment online or by calling 03 928 0121.
