Jaw Pain and Your Bite: When to See an Orthodontist

Waking up with a sore jaw or battling tension headaches throughout the day? You might chalk it up to stress or think it’ll sort itself out, but you should know that persistent jaw pain often has a physical root cause that won’t go away on its own.

A common cause? It could be how your teeth meet when you bite down. While temporary habits like chewing gum can cause mild discomfort, ongoing pain and discomfort usually point to something more significant, such as a bite problem. The good news is that jaw pain is linked to your dental health, so seeing a specialist like an orthodontist is the first step towards real relief.

How can a bad bite cause jaw pain?

To understand how your bite affects your jaw, let’s start with the basics. Your temporomandibular joint (TMJ) works like a sliding hinge, connecting your jawbone to your skull. It’s one of the most complex joints in your body, allowing you to talk, chew and yawn. When everything’s aligned properly, it all works beautifully. But when it’s not, problems start.

A misaligned bite (also called malocclusion) means your teeth don’t fit together the way they should. This forces your jaw joint and jaw muscles to work overtime, compensating for the poor alignment. Think of it like driving a car with wonky wheel alignment. You can do it, but the extra effort wears everything down faster. The same happens with your jaw: Constant muscle tension leads to fatigue, inflammation and, eventually, pain.

When your teeth don’t fit together properly, your jaw joint can’t rest in its natural position. Instead, it’s constantly adjusting, creating ongoing strain on the jaw and surrounding muscles. It’s a vicious cycle, as misalignment causes strain, strain causes muscle tension and muscle tension makes the pain worse.

General dental research suggests an association between certain malocclusions and signs or symptoms of TMD (temporomandibular disorders). While the relationship is complex and varies from person to person, there’s an evident link between how your teeth meet and jaw discomfort.

Warning signs: When to see an orthodontist for jaw pain

So how do you know if your jaw pain warrants a visit to an orthodontist? Below are some signs that it’s time to book that appointment:

Joint noises and movement issues

• Clicking or popping sounds: If your jaw makes clicking, popping or grating noises when you open your mouth, something’s not moving smoothly in that joint.
• Limited jaw movement: Struggling to open your mouth wide or experiencing jaw locking in an open or closed position isn’t normal.
• Restricted function: If your jaw feels stiff or you can’t move it through its full range of motion, it’s time to get it checked.

Persistent headaches

Frequent headaches, such as tension headaches that start in your temples or greet you first thing in the morning, can be your jaw’s way of crying for help. Many people don’t realise that facial pain and headaches are often connected to bite issues, rather than just stress.

Difficulty chewing and functional problems

If you’re avoiding certain foods because chewing has become uncomfortable, or if eating feels like hard work, your bite alignment might be to blame. Difficulty chewing is a clear signal that your teeth and jaw aren’t working together as they should.

Pain that travels

Jaw pain doesn’t always stay put. It can radiate to other areas, causing ear pain (even when there’s no infection), neck tension or shoulder discomfort. If you’ve been treating these symptoms separately without success, the real issue might be your bite.

Common bite issues that cause pain

Here are the specific types of misaligned bite issues that commonly lead to jaw pain:

Overbite or deep bite

This is where your upper teeth excessively overlap your lower ones. Beyond the aesthetic concern, a severe overbite can cause gum damage, palatal trauma and serious strain on the TMJ.

Crossbite

With a crossbite, your upper and lower teeth bite inside or outside each other incorrectly. This creates asymmetric forces that can lead to uneven jaw growth and persistent jaw stress.

Underbite

Often caused by skeletal jaw alignment problems, an underbite places unusual demands on your jaw joint and can accelerate wear on your teeth.

Open bite

When your front teeth don’t meet at all, it affects your ability to bite properly and forces your back teeth to handle all the pressure. This imbalance creates significant strain on your jaw.

The bruxism factor

Many people don’t realise that a misaligned bite may actually encourage teeth grinding (bruxism) and clenching, especially when you’re asleep and can’t consciously control it. This grinding accelerates wear on your teeth and puts enormous pressure on your jaw muscles and joints. It’s like working out those muscles for eight hours straight – it’s no wonder they’re sore in the morning.

The domino effect: Consequences of untreated misalignment

Ignoring the warning signs doesn’t just mean living with discomfort. Untreated bite misalignment can trigger a cascade of problems that go far beyond jaw pain. These include:

Tooth damage

When forces aren’t distributed evenly across your teeth, some take more of a beating than others. This leads to accelerated wear, chipping, fractures and even tooth decay in vulnerable areas.

Gum health concerns

Abnormal forces don’t just affect teeth; they stress the gum attachments, too. Over time, this can contribute to gum recession and increase the risk of gum disease.

Wider impact

Chronic jaw discomfort and pain can disrupt your sleep, affect your ability to concentrate and thus take a genuine emotional toll. Studies indicate temporomandibular disorders can negatively impact mental health. One study, published in the Head & Face Medicine journal, showed they left adults with increased rates of anxiety and depression. When you’re constantly uncomfortable, everything else in life becomes harder.

How orthodontic treatment can help

The brilliant thing about addressing bite problems is that orthodontic treatment can help by tackling the root cause rather than just masking symptoms. There are several ways we can relieve discomfort and restore proper jaw function, including:

Clear aligners

Modern clear aligners like Invisalign offer a discreet way to correct bite issues, making them particularly popular with adults. These aligners gradually shift your teeth into positions where they fit together properly, reducing strain on the jaw and improving your bite alignment. You can remove them for eating and cleaning, but while they’re on, they’re working behind the scenes to relieve that TMJ stress.

Fixed braces

Traditional braces and clear aligners both have their place, but sometimes fixed braces are the best choice for precise control over tooth movement and jaw position. They’re especially effective for complex bite correction cases.

Night guards and splints

While working on your long-term orthodontic solution for jaw pain, a custom night guard or bite splint can provide immediate relief from TMJ disorder symptoms. These devices protect against grinding, give your jaw muscles a chance to relax and prevent further wear on your teeth.

Bite adjustment

Sometimes, minor reshaping of tooth surfaces − called equilibration − can remove ‘high spots’ that cause bite interference. It’s a quick procedure that can make a surprising difference to how comfortably your teeth come together.

The key is developing a personalised treatment plan that addresses your specific bite misalignment. What works for correcting bite issues varies from person to person, which is why a thorough evaluation matters.

What to expect at your consultation

Wondering what actually happens during a jaw treatment consultation with an orthodontist? Here’s what to expect...

Provide a detailed history

We’ll start by discussing your symptoms, asking when the pain and discomfort started, what makes it better or worse and whether you have any habits that might be contributing (like chewing gum or clenching your jaw when stressed).

Receive a thorough examination

Next, we’ll evaluate your bite and jaw function. This includes checking your jaw muscles for tenderness, listening for those telltale clicking sounds and assessing how your jaw moves. During your exam, we check for any signs that your jaw joint isn’t functioning as it should.

The use of modern technology

Gone are the days of messy moulds. We use digital scanning to create a precise 3D model of your bite, allowing us to see exactly how your upper and lower teeth come together and where the problems lie. It’s quick, comfortable and incredibly accurate.

From there, we’ll discuss whether you might need a bite adjustment, orthodontic treatment for TMJ relief or another approach. The goal is always to create a treatment plan that fits your lifestyle and addresses your specific needs.

Let us restore harmony to your bite

Your jaw pain may feel like something you just have to live with, but that’s simply not true. A misaligned bite is a treatable condition, so you don't have to keep suffering. Whether it’s caused by an overbite, crossbite, teeth grinding or another alignment issue, orthodontic care can address the underlying problem and bring you lasting relief.

If you’re experiencing persistent jaw discomfort, frequent headaches, clicking sounds or difficulty chewing, it might be time to see an orthodontist.

Ready to stop living with jaw pain? Schedule a free consultation with Hampstead Orthodontic Practice. We’ll create a personalised plan to get you back to feeling like yourself again.

FAQs

Can a bad bite cause jaw pain?

Yes, it can. When your teeth don’t fit together properly, your jaw joint and muscles have to work overtime to compensate. This constant strain leads to muscle tension, fatigue and inflammation.

When should I see an orthodontist for jaw pain?

Book an appointment if you’re experiencing clicking or popping sounds when you open your mouth, frequent headaches (especially in the morning), difficulty chewing, or pain that radiates to your ears, neck or shoulders. If your jaw locks or you’re grinding your teeth at night, it’s definitely time to get it checked. Persistent pain usually signals an underlying bite problem.

How does orthodontic treatment help with TMJ issues?

Orthodontic treatment addresses the root cause of TMJ pain by correcting your bite alignment. Options include clear aligners like Invisalign, traditional braces, custom night guards to protect against grinding, or minor bite adjustments. By getting your teeth to fit together properly, we reduce the strain on your jaw joint and muscles, which relieves discomfort and prevents long-term damage.

What bite problems commonly lead to jaw pain?

Several types of misalignment can trigger jaw pain: overbites (where upper teeth excessively overlap lower ones), crossbites (where teeth bite incorrectly inside or outside each other), underbites and open bites (where front teeth don’t meet at all). Teeth grinding (bruxism) is often both a cause and a consequence of bite problems, creating a cycle of wear and discomfort.

What happens if I ignore my jaw pain?

Untreated bite misalignment doesn’t just mean ongoing discomfort. Over time, it can lead to accelerated tooth wear, chipping, fractures, gum recession and increased risk of gum disease. The chronic pain can also disrupt your sleep and contribute to anxiety and depression as a result. The longer you wait, the more damage occurs to your teeth and your quality of life, so book an orthodontic appointment as soon as possible.