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.

See what our patients say

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Opening Hours

We are currently closed. However, we reopen Wednesday 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

  • Mark Neil has been our family dentist for decades. Throughout this time his professionalism and expertise has managed to maintain our problematic teeth. His calm and confident manner has allayed any nervousness or anxiety. I can highly recommend him. The practice is exceptionally well run. Visits are always on time and emergencies dealt with immediately. The reception staff are always pleasant and friendly.

    Jennifer Webb - See Google Reviews

  • After some bad experiences with Dentists in my early years, I am a person that does not like visiting dentists: Since moving to Devon, in 2019, I have regularly visited El-Nashar Dental Care and I must say that I have never had any issues here. The staff are friendly and supportive, they make me feel at ease and give a genuine impression of a caring, person centred and individualised service that takes account of my needs and makes me feel at ease. I always see the same Dentist (Lauren) and Hygienist (Fran) and they seem genuinely interested in me and my care. I never feel like 'just another patient' and feel looked after. I have given 5 stars because I always receive a 5 star service from the moment I enter the building to the moment I leave.

    Steven Ramage - See Google Reviews

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Last Updated: 08/2025

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