Use moist heat on tmj pain or ice pack for 30 min twice a day. i hoping this is just stress. could it just be temporary stress that is causing pain?

Perhaps: Could be. Try these things. Self treat with soft diet, jaw exercises, massage, heat/cold, OTC pain meds. A splint or physical therapy would be next. Occasionally muscle relaxants, biofeedback. Xrays are done for diagnosis. Surgery usually reserved for serious symptoms not responsive to other treatments.

Diagnosis is key: It is difficult to diagnose TMJ syndrome because there is no widely accepted diagnostic test. There are more than 60 different treatments available today are based on opinions and wishful thinking, not on scientific evidence. See Orofacial Pain specialist for diagnosis and proper treatment.