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Jaw Pain Treatment

An aching jaw, pain when you chew, or a jaw that is sore first thing in the morning is worth getting looked at. Jaw pain has a few common causes, and most of them are things a dentist can help with. We take the time to find out why yours hurts, then help ease it.
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Treatment Overview

Why Does My Jaw Hurt?

Jaw pain is common, and most of the time it is not something to panic about. The trick is finding the cause, because the right fix depends on it. That is what we do first: work out why your jaw is sore, then talk you through what will help.
The most common causes we see are grinding and clenching, often at night without you knowing, and problems with the jaw joint and muscles. Grinding loads the jaw and wears teeth down over time. Jaw joint trouble, sometimes called TMJ or TMD, can cause aching, clicking and stiffness. The two often go together. You can read more on our Teeth Grinding, TMJ Treatment and TMD Treatment pages.
Jaw pain can also come from a tooth. An abscess, a cracked tooth, a wisdom tooth pushing through, or an infection can all be felt as jaw ache rather than obvious toothache. Now and then the cause sits outside dentistry, for example a sinus problem. That is exactly why we examine properly before we say anything about treatment.
We keep our approach honest. If the cause is dental, there is usually a lot we can do, from easing the strain with a custom night guard to sorting the tooth that is causing it. If we think it is something for your doctor, we will say so and point you to your GP or the right specialist.
This page is for you if:
  • Your jaw aches or feels sore
  • It hurts to chew or open wide
  • Your jaw is worse first thing in the morning
  • The pain spreads to your ear, temple or neck
  • Pain comes with clicking or a jaw that catches
  • The pain started after a knock or after dental work
Common causes we check for:
  • Grinding and clenching (bruxism)
  • The jaw joint and muscles (TMJ and TMD)
  • A tooth problem, such as an abscess or a cracked tooth
  • A wisdom tooth or gum trouble
  • Sometimes a sinus problem
  • Rarely, something that is one for your GP
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New patient examination £92

We start with an examination to find the cause. Including any X-rays you need.
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Or call 023 8084 3318

What Our Patients Say

Rated five stars by patients like you.

Smile Gallery

Real patient results.

A snapshot of the work that comes out of the practice — from gentle composite bonding to full smile makeovers.
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After

Composite bonding

Rebuilding chipped, worn edges in a single visit
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After

Teeth whitening

Several shades brighter, from A2 to B1
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After

Dental implant

Restoring a front tooth with a natural-looking implant
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The Process

What Happens at Your Jaw Pain Appointment

01

We ask before we look

Where it hurts, when it started, what makes it worse, and how it is affecting you. If you are nervous, tell us. It changes how we do things.

02

A proper examination

We check your teeth, gums, bite and jaw, feel for tender spots, and see how your jaw moves. Digital X-rays if we need them, with far less radiation than film.

03

We show you what we found

On screen where we can, in plain English, so you can see what is going on rather than take our word for it.

04

A written plan and a price

The options open to you, what each costs, and what happens if you leave it. If you are in pain we will always try to make you comfortable the same day.
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Why Patients Stay With Us

What makes Waterside different.

We take our time

Longer appointments, so we can talk through your concerns and give you a break if you need one.

Almost pain-free injections

The Wand numbs you without the big needle or the sting. Most patients are surprised how easy it is.

Digital X-rays

We diagnose faster, more accurately and with far less radiation than older film.

A hand to hold

Bring a partner in, or hold a nurse's hand. If you ever need us, we respond the same day.

About Waterside Dental

Your private dental practice in Hythe.

Waterside Dental is a private practice in Hythe, owned and led by principal dentist Dr Nikos Louskos since 2017. It has recently been refurbished to feel more like home than a clinic, and is run by a small, hand-picked team — so you'll always see a familiar face.
Care here is unhurried and patient-led. Appointments are longer so concerns can be talked through properly, treatment is explained in plain language, and nothing is rushed — with breaks during longer procedures whenever you need them.
We welcome private patients from Hythe and across Southampton — whether you're registering as a new patient or visiting for a single course of treatment while staying with your current dentist.
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Learn more about Waterside
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"I firmly believe that dentistry doesn't have to be unpleasant or scary, and that often it can be life-changing."

DR NIKOS LOUSKOS

Our Principal Dentist

Meet Dr Nikos Louskos.

DDS · MSc Endodontics · GDC No. 102626
Principal dentist and practice owner, with a special interest in endodontics.
Dr Nikos Louskos qualified in Athens in 2005 and moved to the UK in 2006. He worked as an associate at Waterside before taking ownership of the practice in 2017.
In 2016 he completed a Master's in Endodontic Practice at Queen Mary University of London. He accepts referrals for complex root canal cases, which he treats under a microscope, and enjoys all aspects of general dentistry.
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Meet our team
Our pricing

Clear fees &
 payment options.

Nobody wants surprises after a dental visit. You'll get an itemised treatment plan with exact costs before anything begins, plus monthly payment options to spread the cost.

Treatment Fees

See our full, itemised price list — every treatment, clearly costed.
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Dental Plan

Spread routine care with our monthly practice plan and unlock member discounts.
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Finance is provided by Tabeo and is interest-bearing from 9.9% APR. Practice-plan discounts apply to selected treatments — full terms are listed on the Fees and Plans pages.

Frequently Asked Questions

Questions patients ask us.

A few of the things patients ask us most often. If your question isn't here, just get in touch — we're happy to talk it through.

For a lot of people it is grinding and clenching, often at night without knowing, and problems with the jaw joint and muscles. The two often go together. Tooth problems, such as an abscess or a cracked tooth, can also be felt as jaw ache. We examine to find which one is yours.

A dentist is a sensible first stop, because jaw pain is so often linked to grinding, the jaw joint or a tooth. There is a lot we can do. If we think the cause sits outside dentistry, we will tell you honestly and point you to your GP or the right specialist.

That is a classic sign of grinding or clenching in your sleep. The muscles have been working all night, so they feel tired and sore when you wake. A custom night guard often helps. See our Teeth Grinding and Night Guards pages.

It can be, if it comes with a lot of swelling, a fever, or a bad toothache alongside it, which can point to an infection that needs seeing quickly. If that sounds like you, call us. See our Emergency Dentistry page. If you have chest pain or trouble breathing with jaw pain, treat that as a medical emergency and call 999.

If you are in pain we will always try to make you comfortable the same day. Whether we can finish the treatment on the day depends on the cause. Normally we examine, explain and give you a written plan, then you decide.

It can be. Stress often shows up as clenching and tension in the jaw muscles, which leads to ache and headaches. That is one of the things we ask about, and one reason a night guard and simple self-care can help.

Yes. Tell us when you book. We use The Wand for almost pain-free injections if any are needed, we allow longer appointments so nothing is rushed, and you can bring someone in with you or hold a nurse's hand.
Get in touch with the team

Get in Touch

Book, or just ask us a question.

Whether you'd like to book or just have a question about treatment, send us a message and a member of the team will get back to you — the same day wherever we can.

Waterside Dental Practice

Visit us

40 Langdown Lawn, Hythe,
Southampton, SO45 5GR

Call

023 8084 3318

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admin@watersidedental.co.uk

Opening hours

Monday–Friday · 9:00–17:30

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We'll get back to you the same day wherever we can.

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A private dental practice in Hythe, Southampton — owned and led by Dr Nikos Louskos. Calm, unhurried care for nervous patients and complex referrals.
Waterside Dental Practice is a part of the TDMP Group Ltd
Treatments
General Dentistry Cosmetic Dentistry Restorative Dentistry Orthodontics Periodontal Care Oral Surgery Emergency Dental
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Contact
40 Langdown Lawn,
Hythe, Southampton,
SO45 5GR
01243 775545 admin@watersidedental.co.uk
Mon–Fri · 9:00–17:30
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