Can Braces Fix Jaw Pain? A Practical Guide for Canadians
Jaw pain can make simple things hard: eating dinner, waking up rested, or even smiling. If your jaw aches, clicks, or locks, you may wonder if braces can help. In many cases, yes—braces and other orthodontic tools can reduce jaw pain by improving the way your teeth and jaws fit together. But the key is a careful diagnosis and a customized plan.
Can braces fix jaw pain?
Often, yes—when jaw pain comes from a bite problem, misaligned teeth, or TMJ/TMD (jaw joint and muscle disorders). Braces or aligners can guide teeth into a healthier position, easing strain on joints and muscles. Success depends on an accurate diagnosis and a personalized plan.
Why your jaw hurts in the first place
Jaw pain has many causes. The most common include:
TMJ/TMD (temporomandibular joint disorders)
TMJ/TMD are problems affecting the jaw joint and nearby muscles. Symptoms can include clicking, popping, aching, headaches, and limited opening. These issues may be linked to a bad bite (malocclusion), past injury, arthritis, or muscle tension from clenching.
Misaligned bite and crowded teeth
When teeth don’t meet evenly, chewing forces hit the joints and muscles the wrong way. Over time, this can cause fatigue, soreness, and grinding.
Bruxism (teeth grinding) and clenching
Stress, sleep problems, and some medications can trigger grinding. Nightly grinding loads the joints and can inflame the muscles around the jaw.
Studies suggest that 5–12% of adults live with TMJ/TMD symptoms. Many improve when the bite is balanced and jaw muscles no longer fight to keep the teeth together.
How braces can reduce jaw pain
Braces and clear aligners gently shift teeth into a better position. This can balance chewing forces, lower strain on the jaw joint, and help the muscles relax.
Aligning the bite
When upper and lower teeth meet evenly, the jaw joint works in a more natural path. Learn more about the bite’s role in comfort in this overview of how bite alignment affects your teeth and jaw.
Smoothing out movements
If certain teeth hit early or too hard, the jaw shifts to avoid those spots. Aligners or braces help remove these interferences so the joint can move freely—often easing clicking and sharp twinges.
Helping muscles relax
When the bite is stable, facial muscles don’t have to work overtime. People often notice fewer morning headaches and less facial tension.
Who is a good candidate—and who isn’t
Good candidates
You may benefit from braces or aligners if you have a clear bite problem (overbite, underbite, crossbite, open bite), crowded teeth, or uneven tooth wear, and your jaw pain flares with chewing or clenching.
When braces are not the first step
If pain is mainly muscle-based from stress or sleep issues, a jaw splint or night guard (a protective mouthpiece) plus physical therapy may come first. For active joint inflammation or arthritis, your provider may start with medication, gentle exercises, and a short-term bite splint before any tooth movement. For a deep dive into causes and options, read our comprehensive guide to TMJ disorders.
Personalized diagnosis: the make-or-break factor
No two jaws are the same. That’s why an accurate, individualized diagnosis matters before braces.
What your orthodontist may use
3D imaging or X-rays, a bite analysis, photos, and a full medical and dental history. Your day-to-day details matter too: past injuries, jaw noises, stress, sleep quality, headaches, and habits like gum chewing or nail biting.
Team-based care
Many people do best with a team: an orthodontist, dentist, hygienist, physical therapist, and sometimes a sleep or pain specialist. This team can address the bite, muscle tension, posture, breathing during sleep, and long-term habits. If you’re starting to explore your options, this overview of personalized TMJ treatment plans explains how tailored steps come together.
Custom tools your plan might include
Braces or clear aligners
These straighten teeth and improve how your bite fits. Aligners are removable; braces are fixed. Your orthodontist will suggest the best option for your case and lifestyle.
Splints and night guards
These protect teeth and reduce clenching strain while you sleep. They can also help calm sore jaw muscles during the day.
TADs (temporary anchorage devices)
Small, temporary pins that can guide hard-to-move teeth with precision. They help in certain bite corrections without jaw surgery.
Retainers
These hold results after braces or aligners. Long-term retainer wear is key to prevent relapse.
What treatment looks like in Canada
Timeline
Orthodontic treatment for bite-related jaw pain often takes 12–24 months, with check-ins every 6–10 weeks. Some people feel relief within months; others improve gradually as the bite settles.
Monitoring and adjustments
Your orthodontist will adjust wires or aligner plans to keep teeth moving without flaring your symptoms. If muscles are tight, they may add exercises, a splint, or refer you to a physical therapist.
Self-care during treatment
Use warm compresses for sore muscles, eat softer foods during adjustment days, and track triggers such as stress, gum chewing, or long screen sessions with poor posture. Consistent brushing and flossing protect sensitive tissues during tooth movement.
“The goal of orthodontic treatment is to create a healthy bite, so you can bite, chew and speak effectively.” — American Association of Orthodontists
Risks and limits to consider
Braces are not a cure-all. If jaw pain comes mainly from arthritis, injury, or severe muscle disorders, braces alone may not fix the problem. There can also be short-term soreness, potential root shortening (rare), and a need for strict retainer wear to keep results. The best way to reduce risks is a careful diagnosis and a plan that fits your life—work, sport, sleep, and stress.
Real-world example
Emma had daily jaw aching, morning headaches, and clicking on the left side. Her team used 3D scans, a short course of splint therapy, then braces aimed at balancing her bite. She also did gentle jaw exercises and stress management. After 18 months, her bite was stable, clicking was rare, and she woke up without headaches. The plan worked because it targeted her exact causes and included follow-ups to prevent relapse.
When to ask about braces vs aligners
Both braces and aligners can help with bite problems linked to jaw pain. Your orthodontist will weigh case complexity, your habits, and your goals. If you’re choosing between them, you’ll find a helpful comparison and planning tips here: choosing between braces and aligners.
Conclusion
Yes—braces can help fix jaw pain when the pain is tied to how your teeth and jaws meet. The path to relief starts with a thorough diagnosis, a customized plan, and a team that supports you along the way. With careful monitoring, the right tools (braces, aligners, splints), and good habits, most people see less tension, better function, and a lower chance of symptoms returning.
FAQ
How do I know if braces will help my jaw pain?
If your pain worsens with chewing, if your bite feels off, or if you have uneven tooth wear, braces or aligners may help. An orthodontic exam with imaging and a bite analysis can confirm.
How long before I feel relief?
Some people feel better within a few months. For others, relief builds as teeth finish moving. Expect ups and downs early on. Your provider can add a splint, exercises, or medication if needed.
What if my pain is mostly from clenching at night?
A custom night guard can protect teeth and calm muscles. You may still benefit from braces later if your bite is part of the problem. Your team will set the right sequence.
Are clear aligners as effective as braces for jaw pain?
For mild to moderate bite issues, yes. For complex problems, braces may offer more control. Your orthodontist will match the tool to your case and lifestyle.
What tests will I need?
A clinical exam, photos, X-rays or 3D scans, and a bite analysis. Your history—headaches, grinding, stress, and sleep—also guides the plan.
Can jaw pain come back after treatment?
It can, especially if you stop wearing retainers or return to heavy clenching. Keep your retainers, manage stress, and see your dentist or orthodontist for regular check-ins to catch small shifts early.
