Jaw Pain and Braces: What Parents and Patients Should Know
"Will braces cause jaw problems?" "Can straightening my teeth fix my jaw pain?" At Fallsgrove Orthodontics, Dr. Boroun hears both questions often. They're good questions, and the answers may surprise you.
The short answer: jaw joint problems usually have several causes working together, and your bite is rarely the main one. Current research does not show that braces or aligners cause TMD, and orthodontic treatment isn't considered a treatment for TMD on its own. What matters most is careful diagnosis and close monitoring. Here's what the science says.
TMJ vs. TMD: what's the difference?
The TMJ (temporomandibular joint) is the joint that connects your lower jaw to your skull. You have two, one in front of each ear. You can feel them move when you open and close your mouth.
TMD (temporomandibular disorders) is the name for a group of more than 30 conditions that cause pain or dysfunction in the jaw joints and the chewing muscles. People often say "I have TMJ" when they mean TMD.
The jaw joint is its own structure, separate from the teeth. It has its own disc, ligaments and muscles. That's why a problem in the joint doesn't necessarily start with the teeth, and straightening teeth doesn't automatically change the joint.
Common signs of TMD include:
• Pain in the jaw joint or chewing muscles, sometimes spreading to the face or neck
• Jaw stiffness, or a jaw that locks or can't open fully
• Painful clicking, popping or grating
• Headaches linked to jaw pain
One important note: jaw clicking without pain is common, is considered normal and usually doesn't need treatment.
TMD is multifactorial
For decades, dentists believed a "bad bite" was the main cause of jaw joint problems. Research has since changed that thinking. According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR), an injury to the joint can cause some TMDs, but in most cases the exact cause isn't clear. Instead, research points to a combination of factors.
The largest study of its kind, the NIH-funded OPPERA study, followed more than 3,000 adults without TMD for several years to see who developed it. Researchers found that TMD risk is shaped by many factors working together:
• Genetics — gene variants that affect how the body processes pain and stress
• Stress and emotional health — anxiety, stress and other psychological factors
• Pain sensitivity — how strongly the nervous system responds to pain
• Overall health — other pain conditions such as headaches or back pain
• Habits — clenching, grinding, gum chewing or nail biting
• Sleep — poor sleep quality tended to come before TMD developed
• Injury — a blow to the jaw or face
No single factor explains TMD. That's why experts describe it as a multifactorial, biopsychosocial condition, and why the treatment plan often looks at the whole person, not just the teeth.
Do braces cause TMD, or cure it?
Braces and aligners don't cause TMD. The NIDCR states that research does not support the belief that a bad bite or orthodontic treatment causes TMD. Systematic reviews spanning several decades of studies have reached the same conclusion. A 2026 meta-analysis found no significant link between TMD and a history of orthodontic treatment.
Can orthodontic treatment help TMD? Sometimes patients do notice their jaw feels better during or after treatment. In select cases, such as a bite that forces the jaw to shift to one side when the teeth close, correcting the bite can make chewing more comfortable. But the research is clear that orthodontics is not a reliable treatment for TMD on its own. Reviews have found no consistent evidence that it improves or prevents TMD, and experts caution against permanently changing the bite solely to treat jaw pain. Improvements seen during treatment are often due to the natural course of TMD, which frequently gets better on its own.
What does this mean for you? Orthodontic treatment should be chosen for the right reasons: a healthier bite, easier cleaning and a confident smile. If you have jaw pain, it deserves its own careful evaluation, and usually starts with simple, conservative care.
Why jaw pain often shows up during the teen years
Most people get orthodontic treatment between about ages 10 and 16. That's exactly when TMD symptoms naturally start to appear, whether or not someone has braces.
Here's what research on young people shows:
• Jaw symptoms are rare before age 10. They become much more common during puberty.
• Girls are affected about twice as often as boys. In one study of more than 600 girls, about a quarter reported weekly jaw symptoms or headaches at age 13. By age 15, it was about a third.
• Symptoms keep rising into early adulthood. Up to one in five young women are affected in their twenties.
The teen years also bring rapid jaw growth, hormonal changes, school and social stress, and habits like clenching, grinding or constant gum chewing. All of these can play a role.
So when a teen develops jaw soreness or clicking during treatment, it's natural to blame the braces. But the timing is often a coincidence. The same symptoms frequently appear in teens who have never had orthodontic treatment. Knowing this helps families focus on finding the real cause instead of assuming the braces are at fault.
How Dr. Boroun protects your jaw health during treatment
At Fallsgrove Orthodontics, jaw health is part of every treatment plan. Dr. Boroun monitors each patient carefully from start to finish:
• Before treatment: She checks the jaw joints and chewing muscles, notes any clicking, pain or limited opening, and asks about headaches, clenching and grinding. This gives a clear baseline.
• At every visit: She watches for any new jaw soreness, joint sounds or changes in how the jaw moves.
• If a TMD concern comes up: Dr. Boroun takes extra steps to address it. That may include adjusting the pace or mechanics of treatment, temporarily pausing elastics, recommending conservative care such as soft foods, jaw exercises or a night guard, and referring you to a physical therapist or orofacial pain specialist when needed.
Most jaw symptoms respond well to simple, conservative care, and the NIDCR recommends starting there. What matters most is catching them early and addressing them thoughtfully.
Have questions about your jaw?
If you or your child has jaw pain, clicking or headaches, or you're worried about how orthodontic treatment might affect the jaw, we're here to help. Dr. Boroun will take the time to examine your jaw and answer your questions honestly.
Book a consultation with Dr. Boroun or fill out our new patient form to get started.
Sources
• TMD (Temporomandibular Disorders) — National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research
• Painful Temporomandibular Disorder: Decade of Discovery from OPPERA Studies — Slade et al., Journal of Dental Research, 2016
• Summary of Findings From the OPPERA Prospective Cohort Study — The Journal of Pain, 2013
• Influence of orthodontic treatment on temporomandibular disorders: a systematic review — Fernández-González et al., 2015
• Temporomandibular Disorders in 13- and 15-Year-Old Females: A Longitudinal Study — Mejersjö et al., Clinical and Experimental Dental Research, 2025