If you notice yourself clenching teeth or grinding them during stressful moments, you may be at risk for a common jaw problem known as temporomandibular joint disorder, or TMJ. This uncomfortable condition affects the joints of the jaw and the surrounding soft tissue, causing pain, stiffness, and a variety of other symptoms. The temporomandibular joint is a complex construction consisting of a ball and socket joint and its surrounding connective and muscle tissue. It can be felt on either side of the face, in front of the ears, as a triangular projection that moves when you open or close your mouth. When you clench your jaw tightly or grind your teeth (which often happens while you are sleeping), you place stress on the joint; over time, this can lead to chronic pain in the jaw, headaches, and ear pain. You may also have trouble opening your mouth fully, or it may lock when you yawn or try to open your mouth wide. Many people with TMJ disorder experience clicking or other noises when they move their jaws. Your doctor can diagnose this painful condition by a physical examination and a description of the symptoms; in some cases, an MRI may be useful in detecting damage to the soft tissue around the joint. If TMJ disorder is behind your joint pain, there are treatments available that can help. Along with treating the pain, you can learn to prevent the condition from recurring.

How can I stop myself from clenching teeth at night? If you wake up in the morning with soreness in your jaw, a headache, or facial pain, you may be grinding your teeth while you sleep. An overnight mouth guard can help to keep your teeth in alignment and stop you from grinding while you are sleeping.

How can I treat the pain in my jaw from clenching grinding teeth? Habitual teeth clenching and grinding can lead to chronic pain and discomfort in your jaw. It is helpful to relax your muscles by keeping your mouth slightly open whenever possible; anti-inflammatories such as ibuprofen can help to ease the pain.

What is the best method to stop clenching teeth and relax my jaw? Many people clench or grind their teeth unconsciously when they are stressed. To get rid of this habit, it is helpful to try to be aware of when you are doing this and to deliberately relax your jaw muscles whenever you catch yourself doing it.

What is the most common cause of jaw soreness? Jaw pain is often caused by excessive pressure or stress on the jaw joint. Gum chewing or eating hard foods can lead to joint pain in the jaw; the most common source of pain is clenching teeth while sleeping.