What Are Jaw Disorders?

"Jaw disorder" is a broad term covering several different conditions that affect the jaw, its joints, or the surrounding muscles. By far the most common is TMJ disorder (also called TMD), which affects the joints connecting your jaw to your skull. This page focuses mainly on TMJ/TMD, since that's what most people mean when searching "jaw disorder" but a few other, less common jaw conditions are worth knowing about too.

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Types of Jaw Disorders

While TMJ/TMD is the most common by far, “jaw disorder” can also refer to:

Jaw dislocation: When the jawbone is forced out of its normal position, often from trauma or an unusually wide yawn
Jaw fracture: A broken jawbone, usually from an injury or impact
Jaw misalignment (malocclusion): When the upper and lower teeth or jaws don’t line up properly
Jaw tumors or cysts: Rare growths in the jawbone, which can be benign or, less commonly, cancerous

These are distinct conditions with different causes and treatments. The rest of this page focuses on TMJ/TMD specifically, since it’s the condition most people are asking about.

What Is TMJ Disorder (TMD)?

TMD affects the jaw joints or surrounding muscles and can cause pain or movement problems.

The Temporomandibular Joints

You have two temporomandibular joints—one just in front of each ear—that let you chew, talk, and move your jaw. TMD happens when something affects how these joints or the surrounding muscles work.

How Common Is TMD?

TMD is common, affecting an estimated 12 million people in the U.S., and is roughly twice as common in women as in men.

Causes and Risk Factors

The exact cause of TMD can be hard to pin down, and it’s often a mix of factors:

Teeth grinding or clenching (bruxism)—one of the most common contributors
Jaw injury, such as a blow or impact to the jaw
Arthritis in the jaw joint
A misaligned bite
Stress, which often shows up as jaw tension or clenching
Habits such as chewing gum frequently, nail biting, or resting your chin on your hand

Symptoms of TMJ Disorder

Jaw or face pain, often near the ear
Clicking, popping, or grating sounds when opening or closing your mouth
Headaches, sometimes mistaken for tension headaches or migraines
Jaw stiffness or locking, making it hard to fully open or close your mouth

Pain Beyond the Jaw

Earache-like pain that isn’t actually an ear problem
Neck or shoulder pain
Tooth pain that occurs along with jaw tenderness

A Simple Self-Care Tip: Jaw Rest Position

One small habit can genuinely help: keep your lips together with your teeth slightly apart when your jaw is at rest, rather than clenched or touching.

Lips Together, Teeth Apart

Let the jaw remain relaxed: your lips can rest together while the upper and lower teeth stay slightly separated.

Build Awareness During the Day

Many people don’t realize how often they’re clenching their jaw. Building awareness of this “teeth apart” resting position can meaningfully reduce strain over time.

Is This Serious?

Not always. If you have jaw clicking or popping without any pain or trouble moving your jaw, treatment usually isn’t necessary. It’s worth seeing a dentist if you have jaw pain that’s constant, comes on suddenly, or is paired with difficulty fully opening or closing your mouth.

What Happens If Left Untreated

TMD often improves on its own or with simple self-care, but ongoing untreated cases can lead to persistent pain, chewing difficulty, and continued strain on the jaw muscles and joint. If clenching or grinding is a contributing factor, it can also lead to dental damage over time.

What You Can Do at Home

1. Practice the Jaw Rest Position

Keep your lips together and your teeth slightly apart instead of clenching.

2. Rest the Jaw During Flare-Ups

Stick to softer foods, avoid chewing gum, and avoid opening your mouth unusually wide—such as during a big yawn—when possible.

3. Relax Tense Muscles

Try a warm compress on the jaw and use relaxation techniques to manage stress, since tension often shows up as jaw clenching.

4. Notice Repetitive Habits

Be mindful of habits such as nail biting, chewing gum frequently, or resting your chin on your hand.

How It's Diagnosed

A dentist evaluates jaw movement, joint sounds, tenderness, and symptoms to identify TMD.

Jaw and Joint Examination

Your dentist checks how widely you can open your mouth, feels the jaw joints as you move them, and checks for tenderness or clicking.

Dental Imaging

In some cases, dental X-rays or other imaging may be used to get a clearer picture of the joint.

How We Treat Jaw and TMJ Symptoms

If jaw pain, clicking, or stiffness is affecting your daily life, our Jaw/TMJ Treatment team can evaluate your specific symptoms and jaw function to determine the right next steps for you.

Medically Reviewed Information

Medically reviewed by Dr. Matthew Roper, DDS. Last updated October 3, 2026.

Dr. Roper is a licensed general dentist who earned his Doctorate of Dental Medicine from A.T. Still University in Mesa.

This information is for educational purposes and does not replace a professional diagnosis.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is TMJ disorder the same as a jaw disorder?

TMJ disorder (TMD) is the most common type of jaw disorder, but “jaw disorder” is a broader term that can also include jaw fractures, dislocations, misalignment, and other conditions. When most people say “jaw disorder,” they usually mean TMD.

Does jaw clicking always mean I need treatment?

No. Clicking or popping without pain or movement problems usually doesn’t require treatment. It’s worth having checked if it’s accompanied by pain, locking, or trouble opening your mouth fully.

Can stress cause jaw pain?

Yes. Stress commonly shows up as jaw clenching or tension, which can contribute to or worsen TMD symptoms. Stress management techniques are often part of a self-care approach.

What's the “teeth apart” trick for jaw pain?

It refers to keeping your jaw in a relaxed resting position—lips together, teeth slightly apart rather than clenched. Building awareness of this habit throughout the day can help reduce strain on the jaw muscles and joints.

Neighborhoods We Serve

Ocotillo Trails Family Dentistry is proud to welcome patients from San Tan Valley and the surrounding communities, including:

Driving Directions to Our San Tan Valley Dental Office

Visiting our office for a jaw disorder? Ocotillo Trails Family Dentistry is located at 40815 N Ironwood Rd #102, San Tan Valley, AZ 85140. Follow N Ironwood Road toward E Ocotillo Road, enter the property, and continue to Suite 102.