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
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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 open till 18:00 today.

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What Our Patients Say About Us

  • Great experience as always with Erica and Chloe for my hygienist appointment. Really pleasant staff throughout and great advice. There is a genuine interest in helping patients with their dental hygiene. Best choice I ever made going private here me and the family really rate it.

    Callum m-j - See Google Reviews

  • Had my appointments today first with hygienist Erica who is always fantastic, she takes great care, is really patient (which i really do appreciate, as I'm a nervous patient when it comes to the dentist) she's very thorough too, she was with Stacey today who was just as lovely & polite. It's lovely to have Erica back, she was missed during her maternity! I then had my check up with Mark who deals with our whole family, he's always professional, so cheery, chatty & friendly! All in all (as dentist appointments go) a great visit & no further treatment required atm 😅 The reception team were as lovely as always very helpful & smiley. I'll be back in 6 months thanks team El Nashar 🙌

    Kaley Glanfield - See Google Reviews

  • Can’t rate the staff and surgery enough, managed to register with them a couple of years ago after years of not visiting a dentist, initially Veronica was my dentist who made me feel comfortable and at ease, Fran is my hygienist who again is great and makes me feel at ease, my dentist now is Chris and he is very friendly and helpful and again fills me with confidence and making me relaxed. All the staff are excellent, friendly and I am grateful for their help and service. Thankyou Mark

    Mark - See Google Reviews

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Last Updated: 06/2026

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