Out of hours - 24/7 Dentist call 0330 175 9995
Tower House, 11 Courtenay Park, Newton Abbot, TQ12 2HD
Out of hours - 24/7 Dentist call 0330 175 9995 Award Winning Dental 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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We are currently closed. However, we reopen Thursday at 09:00.

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What Our Patients Say About Us

  • I had a really positive visit at El-Nashar this week. Fran is the hygienist that I see every 6 months. Fran is the most gentle and caring hygienist that I have ever experienced. It is a pleasure to visit her, she gives tips on how to keep the staining process away. Andrew is a caring dentist and he gives preventive advice to keep decay at bay. The whole team are excellent, from the receptionists to all the dental nurse's. Thank you very much for you excellent service., above and beyond.

    Dee Clarke - See Google Reviews

  • I’ve always hated going to the dentist. I confess I still don’t love it but I am delighted with the care I’ve received, particularly from dentist Joanna who I’ve now seen on a number of occasions. She has made me feel relaxed and reassured that I am receiving high quality care but with no push for me to have unnecessary expensive treatments. I’ve been so reassured by the essential care that I chose to have some minor cosmetic dentistry and I’m delighted with the results. The whole team from reception staff, nurses, hygienist and dentists are professional and friendly, and I recommend the practice unreservedly.

    LottieLou - See Google Reviews

  • After a bad experience with a previous dentist, it had been several years since I’d seen a dentist myself, and my 13-year-old son hadn’t been either. My mum has been a patient at El-Nashar for years and has always spoken so highly of the practice, so I finally found the courage to book an appointment. I’m so glad I did. Rajesh Kumar was the dentist I saw, and I honestly can’t praise him enough. From the moment I met him, he was kind, patient, and incredibly gentle. He took the time to put me at ease, explained everything clearly, and made what I’d been dreading for years a genuinely positive experience. After my appointment, I immediately booked my son in. He was naturally anxious too, but Rajesh’s calm, reassuring manner put him at ease almost instantly. It made such a difference seeing my son leave feeling relaxed and confident. A huge thank you to Rajesh and the team at El-Nashar for making us both feel so comfortable. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this practice to anyone, especially if you’ve had a bad dental experience or suffer from dental anxiety.

    Lauren Cooke - See Google Reviews

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Last Updated: 11/2026

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