What Causes Masseter Muscle Pain

Your Masseter Muscles Are the Thick Muscles That Run Vertically from Your Cheek to Your Jawbone and Function to Close the Mouth. Every Time You Chew or Talk, Your Masseter Muscles Are at Work, Says Irina Kessler, Dds, a New York City-Based Dentist Who Treats Jaw Problems Like Temporomandibular Disorder.

1. Clenching or Grinding Your Teeth

Often, the Masseter Muscles Become Tight and Tense from Chronically Clenching Your Jaws or Grinding Your Teeth, Including When You’re Sleeping. Experts Call This Constant Gnashing Bruxism, and It Can Trigger a Headache. in Fact, People with Bruxism Are up to 17 Times More Likely to Develop Tension Headaches Compared to Those Who Don’t Grind, According to Research in the Journal of Oral & Facial Pain and Headache.

Some People Who Clench or Grind Their Teeth Might Go on to Develop Temporomandibular Joint (Tmj) Disorders. This Is Characterized by Pain or Tenderness in Front of the Ears That’s Often Accompanied by a Clicking or Grating Sensation When You Open and Close Your Mouth, Dr. Kessler Says. Your Temporomandibular Joints, Which Links Your Lower Jaw to Your Skull, Are Partially Controlled by Your Masseter Muscles. “Grinding Overuses the Tmj, Which Can Lead to Masseter Muscle Tightness, ” Dr. Kessler Explains. (Click Through for Home Remedies for Tmj Pain.)

3. Excessive Chewing or Talking

Chewing Gum or Habitually Nibbling on Your Nails Can Also Play a Role in Masseter Pain. Even Talking More Than Usual, Like Spending the Day Answering Phones as Part of Your Monthly Volunteer Shift, Can Work Your Masseters More Than They’re Used to and Cause Temporary Stiffness or Tightness That Might Trigger a Headache, Dr. Bender Says.

Can a Masseter Massage Soothe Your Headache?

It’s Not Always Easy to Figure out If Your Head Pain Is Coming from Masseter Muscle Tightness. That’s Because Most People Who Clench and Grind Their Teeth Don’t Even Realize They’re Doing It, in Part Because It Often Happens While We’re Sleeping, Dr. Kessler Says. One Study in Frontiers in Neurology Reported That a Mere 3% of Older Adults Were Aware of Their Frequent Teeth Grinding.

How to Ease Pain with a Masseter Massage

When Your Jaw and Head Are Throbbing and You Need Fast Relief, a Masseter Massage and Stretch Can Help. “It Can Be a Very Good First Step If One Is Experiencing a New Onset of Pain in These Areas, ” Dr. Bender Agrees.

1. Apply a Warm Compress

Moist Heat Helps Loosen up Your Masseter Muscles So They Stretch More Easily. Place the Compress (A Warm, Damp Washcloth Will Do the Trick) to the Area Right in Front of Your Ear and Hold It There for 5 to 10 Minutes. You Can Do It on One Side of Your Jaw or Both, Depending Where You’re Feeling Tightness.

2. Massage Your Masseter Muscle

After Removing the Compress, Place Your First Three Fingers Between Your Jaw and Your Cheek Bone, in Front of Your Ear Where Your Jaw Hinges. Applying Gentle Pressure, Slowly Rub up and Down Along the Direction of the Muscle for 3 to 4 Minutes. Again, You Can Do This on One or Both Sides of Your Jaw.

3. Stretch Your Masseter Muscle

Finally, Place Your Pointer Finger on Your Bottom Front Teeth and Your Thumb on Your Top Front Teeth. Gently Spread Your Thumb and Pointer Finger Apart to Stretch Your Mouth Open Until It Starts to Feel Tight. You Should Feel a Stretch Around Your Jaw, but If It Hurts, Back off a Little. Hold for 5 Seconds.

Consider a Night Guard for Added Relief

A Masseter Muscle Massage Is Great for Easing Occasional Jaw Tightness and the Headaches That Come with Them. but If Your Symptoms Stem from Chronic Clenching or Grinding, You May Get Added Relief from Using a Night Guard. These Plastic Dental Guards, Which Are Meant to Be Worn When You Sleep, Redistribute and Lessen the Forces When You Brux During Sleep. This May Help Decrease Masseter Muscle Tightness When You Wake.

Masseter Massage: Easy Fix for a Sneaky Headache Trigger

By Alexander Ross

• Oct 8, 2026 • 8 min read

Masseter Massage: Easy Fix for a Sneaky Headache Trigger

Direct Answer • Key Takeaway

If You’re Suffering from Frequent Head Pain, the Common (But Under-the-Radar Trigger) May Actually Be Tense Jaw Muscles. When the Hardworking Masseter Muscle Becomes Sore and Strained, It Can Send Pain Radiating up Through Your Head. the Good News: a Simple ‘Masseter Massage’ Is One of the Best Ways to Relax the Muscle and Ease the Ache. Read on to Find out What Causes the Masseter Muscles to Become Overworked, Plus the Soothing 10-Minute Home Treatments That Dramatically Dial Down Discomfort.

Alexander Ross

Gaming, Esports & Interactive Media Writer

Alexander Ross has covered the video game industry for a decade, writing deep dives on game design, esports tournaments, VR developments, and gaming culture.

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