ðĪ Pain in the head when chewing
A sharp or aching pain at the side of the head or the temple, often on one side, that starts or gets worse while you eat.
ðĢ Jaw, head or ear pain when you chew?
Pain in your head or jaw when you chew? It may be your jaw joint
A sharp pain in the side of the head while eating, an ache in front of the ear, or a jaw that clicks or gets stuck: these often come from the jaw joint (TMJ) or the muscles around it, not from your head or ear. A dental check can usually find the cause.
ðïļ 26 years in Frazer Townâ 4.8 on Google · 186+ reviewsðĐŧ Digital X-rays in the clinic
ðĢ Does this sound like you?
Common signs of a jaw joint (TMJ) problem
Most people don’t know they have a jaw problem. They only know where it hurts. These are the things patients tell us:
ð Ear pain, but the ear is fine
Pain in or just in front of the ear when chewing, yawning or opening wide, sometimes with a blocked or ringing feeling. The jaw joint sits right next to the ear.
ð Clicking or popping
A click, pop or grating sound when you open or close your mouth, on one side or both, with or without pain.
ð Jaw gets stuck
The jaw catches, locks, or won’t open fully, or it opens crooked to one side.
ðŽ Sore jaw on waking
An aching jaw, face or teeth in the morning. Often a sign of clenching or grinding at night.
ðĶ· Toothache with no bad tooth
Pain that feels like a back tooth but nothing shows on the tooth itself, or teeth that feel tender all over.
â 4.8 on Google · 186+ reviews
What patients say
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“He took initiative to guide me for a treatment that was right for my situation.”
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“He explained the procedure clearly and treated me with great care.”
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“You can boldly visit the clinic as the treatment is painless.”
ðŽ patient listening · 3 reviewsðŽ friendly doctor · 19 reviewsðŽ polite doctor · 10 reviews
Short excerpts from public Google reviews, without names. Read all reviews on Google.
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Quick self-check
Tick what applies to you
This isn’t a diagnosis, but it helps you decide whether to get your jaw checked.
Tick the boxes above.
Book a jaw checkðĶī What is the TMJ?
The temporomandibular joint is the hinge that connects your lower jaw to your skull, one on each side, just in front of your ears. A small disc cushions it, and strong muscles at your temples and cheeks move it every time you talk, chew or yawn. When the joint, the disc or those muscles are strained, the pain can spread to your head, ear, face and neck. That’s why it’s so often mistaken for a headache or an ear problem.
ð Why it happens
Common causes of jaw joint pain
There’s often more than one cause, which is why a proper examination matters.
ðŽ Clenching & grinding
Grinding or clenching your teeth, often at night or under stress, overworks the jaw muscles and joint.
ð Disc out of place
The cushioning disc slips forward, causing clicking. If it doesn’t slip back, the jaw can catch or lock.
ðĶ· Bite & teeth problems
Missing back teeth, a high filling or crown, or uneven chewing on one side can strain the joint.
ðĶ· Wisdom teeth
An impacted or infected wisdom tooth can cause jaw and ear pain that feels like a joint problem.
ðŽ Habits & strain
Chewing gum, biting nails or pens, very hard food, opening very wide, or holding the phone with your shoulder.
ðĐđ Injury or arthritis
A blow to the jaw, or wear and arthritis in the joint, can cause pain, grating and stiffness.
ðĻ Get emergency help, don’t wait, if
- Jaw pain comes with chest pain or pressure, breathlessness, sweating or nausea. This can be a heart attack. Call 112 or go to the nearest hospital now.
- Your jaw is stuck wide open and won’t close.
- You have a swollen face with fever, or trouble swallowing or breathing.
ð Not every jaw pain is the TMJ
We check for other causes too
- Tooth problems: a cracked tooth, deep decay, an abscess or a wisdom tooth.
- Ear infection: often with discharge, fever or reduced hearing. We’ll refer you to an ENT doctor if the ear looks like the cause.
- Sinus pain: pain in the upper teeth and cheeks, often with a cold or blocked nose.
- Nerve pain: sudden electric-shock pain in the face needs a doctor’s assessment.
If your pain isn’t coming from your teeth or jaw, we’ll tell you honestly and point you to the right doctor.
ð ïļ How we help
Finding the cause, then the simplest treatment that works
Most jaw joint problems get better with simple, non-surgical care. Surgery is rarely needed.
1ðĢïļ
Your story
When the pain started, what makes it worse, and your sleep, stress and chewing habits. Often the most useful clues.
2ðïļ
Jaw & muscle examination
We check how wide and how straight your jaw opens, feel the joint and muscles for tenderness, and listen for clicks.
3ðĐŧ
Teeth & bite check
Grinding wear, the bite, wisdom teeth and any hidden tooth problem, with a digital X-ray if needed.
4ð§
Self-care plan
Soft diet, warm or cold packs, gentle jaw exercises, and stopping habits like gum chewing. This often brings relief on its own.
5ðĄïļ
Treating the cause
A night guard (bite splint) for grinding, correcting a high filling or bite, treating a problem tooth, and short-term medicines if needed.
6ðĪ
Referral when needed
For joint damage, arthritis or pain that doesn’t settle, we refer you to a physiotherapist, an oral & maxillofacial surgeon or a physician.
ðĻââïļ Why patients choose Dr. Farooq
Knowing when a headache is really a jaw problem
Jaw joint pain is easy to miss, because patients come in with a headache, an earache or a “toothache”. In 26 years of practice on Hutchins Road, Dr. Farooq (BDS, FAGE) has learned to recognise when the jaw, the bite or a hidden tooth is behind pain that seems to be somewhere else.
You’ll get a clear explanation of what’s causing your pain and the simplest way to treat it. If you need another specialist, we’ll tell you that too.
More about Dr. FarooqJaw and face pain we see in the clinic
- Head pain when chewing
- Ear pain with a healthy ear
- Clicking or popping jaw
- Jaw that catches or locks
- Night-time grinding and clenching
- Pain after a high filling or crown
- Jaw pain from wisdom teeth
- Facial pain that seemed like toothache
ð§ Things you can do today
Easing jaw pain at home
- Eat soft food and cut food into small pieces. Avoid gum, hard nuts and very chewy food.
- Use a warm pack (or a cold pack if it’s swollen) on the sore side for 10–15 minutes.
- Rest your jaw: lips together, teeth apart, tongue resting on the roof of your mouth.
- Don’t open very wide. Support your chin when you yawn.
- Notice daytime clenching, and relax your jaw when you catch yourself.
If the pain lasts more than a week or two, keeps coming back, or your jaw locks, get it examined.
ð Not sure if it’s your jaw?
Send us a WhatsApp message describing where it hurts and when. We’ll tell you whether to come in.
ð
Booking is simple
Three steps to your appointment
1ðŽ
Message or call
WhatsApp us what’s bothering you (a photo or old X-ray helps), or call 099455 39225. Calls are answered 9 am–9 pm, every day.
2ðïļ
We suggest a time
We’ll offer a slot that suits you (Mon–Sat, 10 am–2 pm or 5 pm–8:30 pm) and tell you if anything is needed beforehand.
3ð
Visit the clinic
Ground Floor, 42 Hutchins Road, Frazer Town / Cooke Town. Bring old X-rays or reports and a list of any medicines you take.
â Questions patients ask
Jaw pain & TMJ FAQs
Why does my head hurt when I chew?
The main chewing muscle runs up the side of your head to the temple. When that muscle or the jaw joint is strained, chewing can trigger pain that feels like a headache, often on one side. A tooth problem or a high filling can also cause it. An examination tells us which.
My ear hurts when I chew. Is it my ear or my jaw?
The jaw joint sits just in front of the ear, so jaw problems often feel like earache. If there’s no discharge, fever or hearing loss and the ear looks healthy, the jaw is a common cause. We check both, and refer you to an ENT doctor if the ear is the problem.
Is jaw clicking normal?
Painless clicking is common and often needs no treatment. Get it checked if the clicking comes with pain, your jaw catches or locks, or it’s getting harder to open your mouth.
Can wisdom teeth cause jaw pain?
Yes. An impacted or infected wisdom tooth can cause pain in the jaw, ear and side of the head, and limit how wide you can open. See our wisdom tooth guide.
Will TMJ pain go away on its own?
Many cases settle with self-care and by removing the trigger, such as grinding or gum chewing. If pain keeps coming back or your jaw locks, treatment like a night guard or fixing the bite usually helps.
Do I need surgery for TMJ?
Very rarely. Most people improve with simple care. If a specialist procedure is ever needed, we’ll refer you.
How much does a jaw check cost?
We don’t publish price lists. A jaw consultation is a modest fee, and the consultation is free if you go ahead with treatment. Ask us on WhatsApp.
ðĢ Pain when you chew?
Get your jaw checked
Ground Floor, 42 Hutchins Road, Frazer Town / Cooke Town. Mon–Sat, 10 am–2 pm and 5 pm–8:30 pm. Calls answered 9 am–9 pm.