How Common Is TMJ?
Edited by Merve Aydin, Health Content Editor · About 8 min read · General information, not medical advice
| Headache | 79% |
|---|---|
| Bruxism | 58% |
| Pain at the TMJ | 54% |
| Ear pain | 52% |
| Jaw popping or clicking | 51% |
| Neck pain | 51% |
| Tinnitus | 37% |
| Dizziness | 37% |
| Decreased hearing | 36% |
| Hyperacuity to sound | 23% |
The difference between a sound and a disorder is worth keeping in mind. NIDCR says clicking or popping without pain is common, considered normal, and does not require treatment, and AAFP notes that joint sounds occur in up to 50% of people without symptoms. Compare that with the AAFP finding that painful clicking, locking, or limited opening can signal a disorder.
Causes differ as well. AAFP reports that musculoskeletal conditions are the most common cause of TMD, accounting for at least 50% of cases, and that disc displacement is the most common cause inside the joint itself. NIDCR adds that research does not support a bad bite or orthodontic treatment such as braces as a cause of TMD. For the terminology, see TMJ vs. TMD, and TMJ symptoms covers what to track.
What to do if you think you have a TMD
Start with the reversible steps that clinical guidance supports, then build from there.
- Eat soft foods and cut them into small pieces while the joint is sore. NIDCR and NHS both put soft foods at the start of self-care.
- Use heat or cold on the face. NHS suggests an ice pack such as frozen peas wrapped in a tea towel for no more than 5 minutes at a time, or a hot water bottle wrapped in a tea towel twice a day for 15 to 20 minutes.
- Reduce habits that load the jaw. NIDCR lists jaw clenching, gum chewing, and nail biting, and NHS adds not chewing gum or pen tops, not biting food with the front teeth, and keeping your teeth apart apart from when eating.
- Ask a pharmacist or clinician about over-the-counter pain relief. NIDCR mentions NSAIDs such as ibuprofen, and NHS mentions paracetamol or ibuprofen.
- Work on relaxation and awareness. NIDCR lists meditation, relaxation techniques, and reducing clenching as self-management, and Choose PT notes that stress management has proven effective for controlling clenching.
- Book an examination if symptoms persist. There is no widely accepted standard test for TMD, so a clinician takes your history, examines the head, neck, face, and jaw, and may order an X-ray, MRI, or CT. AAFP notes that MRI is the preferred modality for soft tissue problems such as disc displacement, that opening less than 30 to 35 mm is considered abnormal, and that blood tests are not routinely recommended.
TMJ treatment options walks through the conservative and procedural choices in more detail.
When to get care and who treats TMD
If jaw pain, clicking, or stiffness does not improve, talk with a dentist or doctor. NHS suggests a primary care doctor may suggest a dentist if grinding is the issue, a psychologist if stress and anxiety are making pain worse, or a physiotherapist for jaw exercises and massage.
Physical therapy is a frequent first step. Choose PT describes conservative management, including physical therapy, as the recommended first-line approach for TMD, and NIDCR notes that manual therapy can improve function and relieve pain. If you want to know what an evaluation involves, physical therapy for TMD covers that.
Orofacial pain is one of 12 recognized dental specialties, according to the National Commission on Recognition of Dental Specialties and Certifying Boards, which covers the diagnosis, management, and treatment of pain disorders of the jaw, mouth, face, head, and neck. That recognition describes a specialty, not a label that applies to every provider, so it is still worth asking about a clinician's training. TMJ doctors near you and an orofacial pain provider near you are places to start comparing options.
An oral and maxillofacial surgeon usually comes later. AAFP notes that a referral to oral and maxillofacial surgery is indicated for refractory cases, including severe pain or joint dysfunction lasting more than three to six months, and that surgical correction has a high failure rate and should be avoided if possible because it may worsen pain and dysfunction.
Red flags need prompt care. Get urgent medical help for a jaw locked shut or stuck open, facial swelling with fever, numbness, a recent injury, or chest pain with jaw pain. Choose PT notes that jaw pain can be a symptom of a heart attack, especially alongside chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness, or pain or numbness in the left arm, which needs emergency care. How serious TMJ can be covers more warning signs, and TMJ doctor or dentist helps you choose a first appointment.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many people have TMJ problems?
TMD affects about 5% of adults in the U.S., according to NIDCR. The AAFP evidence summary places it between 5% and 12% of the population, and Cleveland Clinic estimates up to 12 million people, mostly between the ages of 20 and 40.
Is TMD more common in women than in men?
Yes. NIDCR says TMDs are twice as common in women than in men, especially in women between 35 and 44 years old. The AAFP evidence summary describes a female-to-male ratio of 3-to-1, so estimates of the gap vary between studies.
Do most people with TMD need treatment?
No. AAFP reports that only 5% to 10% of patients require treatment and that 40% of patients have spontaneous resolution of symptoms. In one long-term follow-up study, 50% to 90% of patients had pain relief after conservative therapy.
Does jaw clicking mean I have a TMJ disorder?
Not on its own. NIDCR describes clicking or popping without pain as common, normal, and not needing treatment, and AAFP notes joint sounds occur in up to 50% of people without symptoms. Pain, locking, or limited opening are what usually prompt an evaluation.
Can children have TMD?
Choose PT describes TMD as a common condition that affects people of all ages and genders. The prevalence figures above are adult figures, so they should not be read as pediatric rates, and a clinician can look into a child's jaw pain and related causes.
How is TMD diagnosed, and is a scan needed?
There is no widely accepted standard test, according to NIDCR. Diagnosis rests on your history and a physical exam, and imaging such as X-ray, MRI, or CT may be recommended. AAFP notes MRI is preferred for soft tissue problems such as disc displacement, while blood tests are not routinely recommended.
Is TMJ serious, and when should I be seen quickly?
Most TMD is not serious and generally gets better on its own, according to NHS. It becomes a reason for prompt care when you cannot eat or drink, have difficulty opening your mouth fully, or your jaw is locking. Chest pain, shortness of breath, or arm pain together with jaw pain needs emergency care.
References
- TMD | NIDCR — NIDCR
- TMJ Disorders: Symptoms & Treatment — Cleveland Clinic
- Temporomandibular Disorders: Rapid Evidence Review | AFP — American Academy of Family Physicians
- Diagnosis and Treatment of Temporomandibular Disorders | AFP — American Academy of Family Physicians
- Temporomandibular disorder - NHS — NHS
- Guide | Physical Therapy Guide to Temporomandibular Disorder | Choose PT — Choose PT
- Recognized Dental Specialties | National Commission on Recognition of Dental Specialties and Certifying Boards — NCRDSCB
Medical disclaimer
This page is for general information and is not medical advice. It does not replace an examination by a dentist, physician, or other qualified clinician.
Reviewed by the tmjspecialistguide.com editorial team · Last updated 2026-11-01.