Tower House, 11 Courtenay Park, Newton Abbot, TQ12 2HD
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Award Winning Dental Practice
4.9 130+ Google Reviews 5 1000+ In-practice Reviews
140+ Google Reviews
5.0
1000+ Reviews in practice
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Jaw/ facial pain

What is Jaw pain?

Myofascial pain, also known as Temporo-Mandibular Jaw (TMJ) pain, is similar to dull toothache or wisdom tooth pain but is essentially muscular.

It is sometimes difficult to locate, and there may be pain in the jaw joint and all the surrounding structures. In acute cases, jaw opening may be limited.

How common is this type of pain?

One in four people at some time may have symptoms. Men and women are affected equally, although women tend to seek treatment more often.

What are its causes?

The most common cause is tooth clenching or grinding, often associated with stress and anxiety. Normally a person is not aware of clenching their teeth. It’s usually something they do when concentrating.

People who grind their teeth might do so during the day or at night. Night grinding while sleeping is more destructive and difficult to deal with.

What causes the pain?

Increased muscle activity in the jaw causes the muscles to get tired and go into spasm, a cramp-like condition.

Our Advice

You can tell if you’re clenching your teeth if your top and bottom teeth are touching. Teeth are normally apart, except when we’re chewing and swallowing. You can ease the pain by:

  • Eating evenly on both sides
  • Avoiding hard chewing – try soft foods in severe cases
  • Avoiding biting/chewing objects such as pens/pencils and biting your nails
  • Trying not to yawn with your mouth wide open
  • Holding a warm water bottle on the aching side

If you have lost a few back teeth, you might need them replaced to balance and support your bite properly. In severe or chronic cases your dentist can construct an appliance for you to wear on your teeth.

Now welcoming new patients

Please get in touch with our friendly team on 01626 212121

Why Choose Us?

Because we are a family run practice with patient care at the heart of everything we do.

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Opening Hours

We are currently closed. However, we reopen Monday at 09:00.

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What Our Patients Say About Us

  • After my first visit today I can only say how pleased I am to have chosen El Nashar for my dental care. The staff who greeted me in reception were very welcoming and helpful and Chris was very thorough with my initial examination and explained everything in great detail to me. I really feel that I’m going to be very well looked after here and I’m looking forward to my next visit now to see the hygienist. Update…..I’ve now seen Terri my hygienist and she was amazing! Made me feel very relaxed and welcome. She explained my oral health results to me in great detail, answered any questions I had and informed me of how I can improve my oral hygiene myself with cleaning methods etc. I can’t rate my experience with Terri highly enough and I’m confident that I’m in the most competent and able hands with her for the coming years! Many thanks again to Terri and all the lovely staff at the practice.

    Andy Hayman - See Google Reviews

  • My recent visit to El-Nashar to visit Chris Roberts, Dentist and Terry Weir, Hygienist were as usual 100% fully professional and approachable and willing to discuss issues and options etc. Thanks also to all the receptionist staff who couldn't be more helpful. Plus a nice free coffee machine to boot and reasonable free local parking nearby makes the service both easy to attend and relatively painless to endure!! Joking, no pain so far. Top Marks! Andrew Walker

    Andrew Walker - See Google Reviews

  • Best dentist in the area! We joined over 10 years ago and they cured my fear of the dentist! All staff are so friendly, everyone is so welcoming and always smiling! Andrew our dentist is brilliant, explains everything he’s doing, what he’s looking for and is so great with the children (my two actually love going to the dentist!) the nurse was also amazing, so lovely with the children and made us all feel at ease. We also had Sian as our hygienist today and she was so lovely, explained everything and made sure I was comfortable. Great experience, highly recommend😊

    Zoe Tennet - See Google Reviews

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Last Updated: 10/2025

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