If you’ve ever noticed that your headaches seem connected to jaw tension, facial pain, or difficulty chewing, you might be dealing with a TMJ headache. These headaches originate from problems with the temporomandibular joint—the hinge that connects your jawbone to your skull—and they’re far more common than many people realize.
TMJ disorders (often called TMD) affect an estimated 10-15% of adults, with women being twice as likely to experience symptoms as men [1]. The tricky part? TMJ headaches often masquerade as tension headaches or migraines, leading many people to treat the symptom without addressing the root cause. Understanding the connection between your jaw and your head pain can be the key to finally finding lasting relief.
Track your jaw-related symptoms with our TMJ diary
Because TMJ headaches are closely linked to jaw habits and muscle tension, tracking your symptoms alongside your daily activities can reveal important patterns. Our TMJ diary helps you log headache episodes, jaw pain, clicking or popping sounds, teeth grinding, and potential triggers like stress or certain foods. Over time, this information can help you and your healthcare provider develop a targeted treatment plan. Of course, while tracking is valuable, it’s not a replacement for professional evaluation if your symptoms are severe or persistent.
What is a TMJ headache?
A TMJ headache is head pain that originates from problems with the temporomandibular joint or the muscles surrounding it. The TMJ is one of the most complex joints in your body—it allows your jaw to move up and down, side to side, and forward and back. When something goes wrong with this joint or the muscles that control it, pain can radiate well beyond the jaw itself.
The temporomandibular joint sits just in front of your ears, which is why TMJ problems often cause pain in the temples, around the ears, and at the sides of the head. The muscles involved in chewing (particularly the temporalis muscle, which fans across your temple) can become tense, fatigued, or inflamed, directly contributing to headache pain [2].
What makes TMJ headaches particularly frustrating is that they often feel identical to tension-type headaches—a dull, aching pressure on both sides of the head. Without recognizing the jaw connection, people may take pain relievers for years without addressing the underlying cause.
How do I know if my headache is from TMJ?
Distinguishing a TMJ headache from other types of head pain requires paying attention to a cluster of symptoms beyond the headache itself. While not everyone experiences all of these, the presence of several jaw-related symptoms alongside your headaches strongly suggests a TMJ connection.
Signs your headache may be TMJ-related:
- Pain or tenderness in your jaw, especially near the joint (just in front of your ears)
- Clicking, popping, or grating sounds when you open or close your mouth
- Difficulty or discomfort when chewing
- Headaches that are worse in the morning (suggesting nighttime teeth grinding)
- Headaches that worsen after chewing gum, eating tough foods, or talking for extended periods
- Facial pain or fatigue, particularly in the cheek area
- Ear pain or a feeling of fullness in the ears without infection
- Neck and shoulder tension that accompanies your headaches
- Jaw locking—difficulty opening or closing your mouth fully
If your headaches consistently occur alongside these symptoms, or if they improve when you address jaw tension, TMJ dysfunction is likely playing a role.
What causes TMJ disorders and related headaches?
TMJ disorders can develop from a variety of factors, and often it’s a combination of causes rather than a single trigger. Understanding what’s contributing to your TMJ dysfunction is essential for effective treatment.
Bruxism (teeth grinding and clenching)
Grinding or clenching your teeth—especially during sleep—places enormous stress on the TMJ and surrounding muscles. Studies suggest that bruxism affects 8-31% of adults, and many are completely unaware they’re doing it [3]. The constant muscle tension from bruxism fatigues the jaw muscles, leading to pain that radiates into the head.
Signs of bruxism include waking with jaw soreness, tooth sensitivity, worn tooth surfaces, and headaches that are worst in the morning. Your dentist can often identify bruxism by examining wear patterns on your teeth.
Stress and muscle tension
Stress doesn’t just live in your mind—it manifests physically, and the jaw is a common place for tension to accumulate. Many people unconsciously clench their jaw when stressed, anxious, or concentrating. Over time, this habitual clenching can strain the TMJ and trigger headaches.
Pay attention to whether your TMJ symptoms worsen during stressful periods. Learning to recognize and release jaw tension throughout the day can be surprisingly effective.
Poor posture
Forward head posture—common in people who work at computers or look down at phones frequently—changes the alignment of your jaw and places additional strain on the TMJ. When your head juts forward, the muscles at the back of your neck tighten, which in turn affects jaw positioning and muscle balance [4].
If you spend long hours at a desk, your posture may be contributing to both your neck tension and your TMJ headaches.
Jaw misalignment and bite problems
When your upper and lower teeth don’t fit together properly (malocclusion), the TMJ must compensate with every bite and chew. Over time, this compensation can lead to joint strain, muscle fatigue, and headaches. Orthodontic issues, missing teeth, or poorly fitted dental work can all contribute to bite problems.
Arthritis and joint degeneration
Like any joint, the TMJ can be affected by osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis. Arthritis in the TMJ causes inflammation, cartilage breakdown, and pain that may radiate to the head. This is more common in older adults but can occur at any age.
Injury or trauma
A blow to the jaw, whiplash injury, or even prolonged dental procedures requiring the mouth to stay open can trigger TMJ dysfunction. Sometimes symptoms develop gradually after an injury; other times, they appear immediately.
What does a TMJ headache feel like?
TMJ headaches have characteristic features that can help you identify them, though they often overlap with tension-type headache symptoms.
Location: TMJ headaches typically affect the temples, sides of the head, forehead, and sometimes the back of the head. The pain often feels like it’s radiating from the jaw area upward.
Quality: Most people describe the pain as dull, aching, and pressure-like—similar to a tension headache. Some experience a more throbbing quality, especially if significant inflammation is present.
Timing: TMJ headaches are often worst in the morning (if bruxism is involved) or at the end of the day (if daytime jaw tension or posture is contributing). They may fluctuate with jaw activity—worsening after meals or extended talking.
Associated symptoms: Unlike migraines, TMJ headaches typically don’t cause nausea, vomiting, or sensitivity to light and sound. However, they’re frequently accompanied by facial pain, jaw stiffness, ear symptoms, and neck tension.
How are TMJ headaches treated?
The good news is that TMJ disorders—and the headaches they cause—often respond well to conservative treatment. Most people see significant improvement without surgery or invasive procedures.
Self-care measures
Many TMJ symptoms improve with simple home treatments:
- Rest your jaw: Eat soft foods, avoid extreme jaw movements, and don’t chew gum
- Apply heat or cold: Warm compresses relax tense muscles; ice packs reduce inflammation
- Practice jaw relaxation: Rest your tongue on the roof of your mouth with teeth slightly apart
- Gentle stretching: Slow, controlled jaw opening and closing can improve mobility
- Improve posture: Keep your head aligned over your shoulders, especially at work
Night guards and splints
For people with bruxism, a custom-fitted night guard (occlusal splint) can protect teeth and reduce the strain on the TMJ during sleep. These are typically made by a dentist and are more effective than over-the-counter options. Research shows that splint therapy reduces TMJ pain and headache frequency in many patients [5].
Physical therapy
A physical therapist specializing in TMJ disorders can teach exercises to strengthen and stretch jaw muscles, improve joint mobility, and address posture issues. Manual therapy techniques, including massage and joint mobilization, can also provide relief.
Medications
For acute flare-ups, over-the-counter pain relievers (ibuprofen, naproxen) can reduce pain and inflammation. Muscle relaxants may be prescribed for severe muscle tension. In some cases, tricyclic antidepressants at low doses help with chronic pain and bruxism.
Dental treatments
If bite problems are contributing to your TMJ disorder, orthodontic treatment or dental work may be recommended. This might include braces, tooth replacement, or adjusting existing dental work.
Botox injections
For severe, treatment-resistant cases, Botox injections into the jaw muscles can reduce clenching force and provide significant relief. Studies show effectiveness in reducing both TMJ pain and associated headaches [6].
When should I see a doctor or dentist about TMJ headaches?
While mild TMJ symptoms often respond to self-care, certain situations warrant professional evaluation:
- Jaw pain or headaches that persist despite home treatment
- Difficulty opening or closing your mouth
- Your jaw locks in an open or closed position
- Pain that interferes with eating, talking, or sleep
- Clicking or popping accompanied by pain (painless clicking alone is often benign)
- Headaches occurring more than twice a week
- Ear pain or hearing changes alongside jaw symptoms
Both dentists and physicians can diagnose and treat TMJ disorders. A dentist may be particularly helpful if bruxism or bite issues are suspected, while a physician or headache specialist can help differentiate TMJ headaches from migraines or other headache types.
Finding relief from TMJ headaches
TMJ headaches can be incredibly frustrating—especially when you’ve been treating them as ordinary headaches without success. But once you recognize the jaw connection, you open up a whole new set of treatment options that can make a real difference.
Start by becoming aware of your jaw habits. Are you clenching right now? Many of us hold tension in our jaws without realizing it. Simple awareness—checking in with your jaw several times a day and consciously relaxing it—can be a powerful first step.
If self-care measures don’t bring sufficient relief within a few weeks, don’t hesitate to seek professional help. TMJ disorders are well-understood, and effective treatments are available. Whether it’s a night guard, physical therapy, or addressing underlying bite issues, the right approach can break the cycle of jaw tension and headache pain.
Your jaw and your head are intimately connected—and understanding that connection is the first step toward mornings without pain.