Why Do My Temples Swell When I Chew?

If you’ve ever noticed a strange swelling or tightness around your temples when chewing, you’re not imagining things, and it’s not just a random headache either. In many cases, temple pain or swelling during chewing is a sign of a problem with the temporomandibular joint, or TMJ for short.

At 24-Hour Emergency Dentist, we treat all sorts of jaw-related issues, not just urgent toothaches or broken fillings. And you’d be surprised how many people walk through our doors thinking they’ve got a dental emergency, only to find out the issue is jaw-related tension or inflammation.

So let’s break it down in simple terms: why your temples hurt or swell when you chew, what the TMJ actually is, and what you can do to relieve the symptoms.

What is the TMJ and What Does It Do?

The temporomandibular joint is the hinge that connects your lower jaw (mandible) to the skull, just in front of your ears. You use it every time you chew, speak, or yawn.

It’s an incredibly active joint – moving up and down, side to side, and even forward and back – all while absorbing a lot of pressure. The TMJ is supported by muscles, ligaments, and cartilage, and like any other joint in the body, it can get strained or irritated.

When there’s a problem with this joint, we call it a TMJ disorder (or TMD for short).

Why Do My Temples Swell When I Chew?

Swelling or pain around the temples while chewing is typically a muscle-related issue, not a dental one. Here’s why:

The Masseter and Temporalis Muscles

There are a few key muscles that help your jaw move, and one of them is the temporalis, a fan-shaped muscle that covers your temple. When you chew, this muscle contracts to help close your jaw. If it’s overworked, inflamed, or under constant tension, it can become sore, tight, or even visibly swollen.

Muscle Fatigue or Overuse

Think of chewing gum for too long, clenching your jaw during sleep, or grinding your teeth during stressful moments. These actions put strain on the TMJ and the surrounding muscles—including the ones over your temples. Over time, the tension builds and leads to discomfort, pressure, and in some cases, swelling.

Common Symptoms of TMJ Problems

TMJ disorders aren’t always easy to recognise because they often feel like other conditions—headaches, earaches, even dental problems.

Here are common signs that point toward a TMJ issue:

• Swelling or tightness near your temples or jawline
• Pain when chewing, talking, or opening your mouth wide
• Clicking, popping, or grinding noises in the jaw
• Locking of the jaw (getting stuck open or closed)
• A feeling of pressure or fullness in the ears
• Frequent headaches, especially around the temples
• Pain that radiates to the neck or shoulders
• Worn, flattened, or sensitive teeth from grinding

What Causes TMJ Disorders?

TMJ issues don’t always have a single cause – but here are the most common reasons people experience them:

Teeth Grinding and Clenching (Bruxism)

Clenching your jaw or grinding your teeth puts a huge amount of pressure on the jaw joints and the surrounding muscles. It usually happens at night, and most people don’t even realise they’re doing it until the pain sets in.

Stress

Stress doesn’t just mess with your mind—it affects your body too. When you’re tense, you’re more likely to clench your jaw, grind your teeth, or carry that tension in your facial muscles.

Injury or Trauma

An accident, fall, or even a hit to the jaw can cause TMJ problems, sometimes weeks or months after the incident.

Misaligned Bite

If your upper and lower teeth don’t fit together properly (a condition called malocclusion), it can make your jaw work harder than it should and cause muscle fatigue.

Arthritis

Osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis can affect the jaw joints just like any other joint in the body, leading to inflammation and pain.

Is Temple Swelling Serious?

Most cases of temple swelling linked to chewing are not dangerous, but they can become disruptive and chronic if ignored. If you’re experiencing swelling regularly, especially with other TMJ symptoms, it’s time to take action.

Without treatment, TMJ disorders can lead to:

• Ongoing pain and limited jaw movement
• Muscle tension headaches
• Worn or damaged teeth
• Difficulty eating or speaking comfortably

How is TMJ Diagnosed?

At 24-Hour Emergency Dentist, we take TMJ pain seriously because we know how it can affect daily life. If you visit us with temple swelling or jaw pain, we’ll start by:

• Taking a full history of your symptoms
• Gently examining your jaw movement
• Checking for bite alignment
• Using in-house CT or X-ray scanning if needed to assess joint condition

From there, we’ll help determine if your issue is muscle-related, joint-related, or linked to a dental issue like a cracked tooth or abscess.

Treatment Options for TMJ and Temple Swelling

Thankfully, most TMJ problems can be managed without surgery. Here’s how we help patients find relief:

• Rest and Soft Diet: Giving your jaw a break from hard, chewy, or crunchy foods can reduce muscle strain.
• Warm or Cold Compresses: A warm compress can relax tight muscles, while a cold pack can help reduce inflammation.
• Anti-inflammatory Medication: Over-the-counter pain relief like ibuprofen can help reduce swelling and discomfort.
• Night Guards (Splints): Custom-made bite guards worn during sleep help prevent clenching and grinding. These can also help reposition the jaw to relieve pressure on the TMJ.
• Stress Management: If tension is a trigger, learning stress-reducing techniques like deep breathing or mindfulness can help protect your jaw.
• Physiotherapy: In some cases, we refer patients for jaw exercises or muscle therapy to strengthen and balance jaw function.

When to Seek Emergency Help

While most TMJ-related swelling is not an emergency, there are times when you should call us right away:

• If the swelling is severe or suddenly appears
• If the pain is accompanied by fever or redness, which may suggest an infection
• If your jaw becomes locked open or closed
• If you’re experiencing persistent earache, headaches, or facial swelling
• And of course, if you’re not sure what’s causing your discomfort, we can rule out dental causes like abscesses or tooth infections.

We’re Here When You Need Us

TMJ problems don’t follow a 9-5 schedule. That’s why at 24-Hour Emergency Dentist, we’re open day and night, ready to assess, diagnose, and relieve the discomfort of jaw and facial pain, even when it feels like a mystery.

With clinics conveniently located near Baker Street and Liverpool Street, and an experienced team that includes dentists trained in diagnosing jaw issues, we’re fully equipped to treat the cause, not just the symptom.

Final Thoughts

If your temples swell or ache when you chew, it’s likely your jaw muscles are overworked and your TMJ is trying to tell you something.

The good news? You don’t have to live with the pain or guess what’s going on. The team at 24-Hour Emergency Dentist can help get to the root of the issue, relieve your discomfort, and help you smile (and chew) comfortably again.

Don’t wait for the pain to get worse. Let’s get it sorted!