Jaw Ache During Pregnancy: Causes & Treatment
Pregnancy is a time of immense change, and while most people expect the usual aches and pains, a jaw ache during pregnancy often comes as a surprise. Many women in Australia experience jaw pain while pregnant, yet it’s rarely discussed or properly addressed.
From hormonal shifts to changes in posture and increased tension, pregnancy can place unexpected stress on the jaw and surrounding muscles. This discomfort can range from a dull ache to sharp pain, and it may be linked to conditions like temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ).
At Ducker Physio in Adelaide, we understand how these changes impact your body—and your comfort. In this article, we’ll explore the causes behind jaw ache during pregnancy and share how targeted physiotherapy can help relieve pain, restore function, and support your well-being throughout each trimester.
Why Does Jaw Pain Occur During Pregnancy?
If you’re experiencing jaw pain while pregnant, you’re not alone—and there are several reasons why it might be happening. Pregnancy brings about a range of hormonal and physical changes that can affect your joints, muscles, and overall posture, including the delicate structures around your jaw.
Hormonal Changes
During pregnancy, your body produces higher levels of hormones like relaxin and progesterone. While these hormones help prepare your body for birth, they also cause ligaments to loosen—sometimes in areas you wouldn’t expect, like the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). This joint connects your jawbone to your skull and plays a crucial role in speaking and chewing. When it becomes unstable or irritated, jaw pain can follow.
Postural Shifts
As your body changes to accommodate your growing baby, your centre of gravity shifts. This can impact your neck, shoulders, and jaw alignment, especially if you spend long hours sitting or sleeping in certain positions. Poor posture can strain the muscles around your jaw and lead to pain or discomfort.
Increased Stress and Teeth Grinding (Bruxism)
Pregnancy can bring emotional stress, especially in the later months. Many women unconsciously clench or grind their teeth—often while sleeping. This repetitive tension can inflame the jaw muscles and exacerbate pain.
Fluid Retention and Inflammation
Swelling is a common side effect of pregnancy. Extra fluid in the body can put pressure on joints, including the jaw, leading to stiffness and soreness—particularly first thing in the morning or after prolonged periods of inactivity.
Understanding what’s causing your jaw ache during pregnancy is the first step toward effective relief—and that’s where physiotherapy can make all the difference.
Symptoms to Watch For
Jaw pain during pregnancy can show up in different ways—some subtle, others more persistent. Recognising the symptoms early is key to getting the right treatment and preventing ongoing discomfort.
Here are some common signs of jaw ache during pregnancy to look out for:
Dull or Sharp Jaw Pain
You may notice a dull, lingering ache or sudden, sharp pain around your jaw. It can affect one or both sides and may come and go throughout the day.
Clicking or Popping When Chewing or Talking
A clicking or popping sound when you open your mouth wide, chew, or speak can be a sign of TMJ dysfunction—a common issue in pregnant women due to hormonal and muscular changes.
Headaches or Earaches
Pain from the jaw often radiates to nearby areas. If you're experiencing frequent headaches, earaches, or even neck and shoulder tension, your jaw might be the underlying cause.
Difficulty Opening or Closing the Mouth
Tightness, stiffness, or a locked feeling in the jaw can indicate inflammation or joint irritation. If it becomes difficult to open your mouth fully, it’s time to get it checked.
These symptoms can interfere with your ability to eat, speak, or even sleep comfortably. If you’re pregnant and noticing these signs, physiotherapy can help uncover the root cause and offer safe, effective treatment options tailored to your body.
Manual therapy for Temporomandibular disorder (TMD)
Temporomandibular disorder (TMD) is a recurring but self-limiting condition that typically does not progress. Non-invasive, conservative treatments have proven effective. Physiotherapy is highly effective in relieving and managing TMD, even in cases where symptoms have persisted and are severe. Most patients can expect significant improvements in their symptoms within 3 to 6 weeks with appropriate physiotherapy.
The treatment plan should address the specific issues identified during the assessment. For patients with acute and inflammatory symptoms, their condition is likely irritable, and treatment should proceed gently. The initial focus should be on alleviating pain, swelling, and muscle spasms. Once the pain begins to improve, efforts can shift towards restoring jaw movement and alignment. Treatment may involve soft tissue releases for affected muscles and joint mobilisation techniques.
It's also crucial to address any associated neck pain and headaches. Correcting posture is essential and should focus on the head, neck, shoulder, and tongue positions. Patients should be taught exercises to enhance coordination, stability, and alignment of the jaw.
For those showing signs of sleep bruxism, it's advisable to consult with their dentist about the potential use of an occlusal splint. Such splints keep the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) slightly apart while the patient clenches or grinds their teeth, which can prevent TMJ compression, relax jaw muscles, and reduce swelling and inflammation. There is some evidence supporting the use of splints to reduce long-term degeneration of the TMJ, disc, and teeth.
Other dental issues, such as cavities that cause pain or lead to uneven chewing, lack of dental height, or missing teeth, may also need to be addressed.
Patients should be educated on strategies to manage their condition, which could include posture education, the long-term continuation of a home exercise program, good sleep habits (including proper sleeping positions), stress management, and dietary modifications. Following a soft food diet during acute phases can help reduce pain and swelling more quickly. Patients should also learn techniques to minimise stress on the TMJ, such as avoiding resting their chin on their hand, chewing on pencils, clenching their jaws while awake, wide mouth yawning, and nail biting. They should limit chewy foods, chewing gum, large hamburgers that require wide opening, and hard foods like nuts and apples. One case report suggests that early post-operative exercises after temporomandibular joint (TMJ) ankylosis in pediatric patients, along with stringent follow-up, can help prevent post-operative shrinkage and adhesions.
Regarding manual therapy, a systematic review published in 2015 summarised the effectiveness of manual therapy on signs and symptoms of TMD. It found considerable evidence that mixed manual therapy techniques, including upper cervical mobilisation or manipulation, were effective for controlling TMD symptoms and improving maximum mouth opening. The manual techniques included intra-oral myofascial release and massage therapy on the masticatory muscles, atlanto-occipital joint thrust manipulation, and upper cervical spine mobilisation.
Therapists should be properly trained and adhere to guidelines and standard procedures when performing cervical thrust manipulation if indicated. Recent clinical trial results indicate that both post-isometric muscle relaxation and myofascial release can serve as effective supportive therapies in the prosthetic treatment of pain-related TMD, especially when accompanied by increased masticatory muscle tension.
When to see a physiotherapist?
If you are experiencing ongoing or severe jaw pain during pregnancy, it is advisable to consult a physiotherapist as soon as possible, particularly if you suspect an issue with the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) or muscle tension. Physiotherapists can provide effective treatment and guidance for these conditions. They may use techniques such as soft tissue massage, dry needling, and rehabilitative exercises to help alleviate jaw pain and address TMJ disorders.
If in Adelaide, book an appointment with Ducker Physio - We offer a FREE 20-min first consultation with one of our experienced physiotherapist in Adelaide.