The temporomandibular joints are small triangular-shaped joints located immediately in front of your ears. Clenching or grinding your teeth at night inflames the nerves and muscles associated with these joints. A poor bite (malocclusion) can place undue stress on the TMJs, causing facial muscles to strain in order to hold the jaw. While studies indicate TMJ disorders affect 10–15% of adults, only 5% seek treatment. The incidence peaks between ages 20 to 40 and the disorder impacts twice as many women as it does men. TMJ disorders and headaches are closely related pathologies, with an estimated 67–75% of TMJ patients experiencing headaches. TMJ symptoms including migraines, episodic tension-type headaches, and chronic daily headaches that can range from mild to debilitating. Other common symptoms include jaw discomfort, soreness and limited function; pain radiating from behind the eyes to the face, shoulder, neck or back; and earaches or tinnitus (ringing in the ears).