A clicking jaw is a common symptom of a disorder affecting the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), which connects the lower jawbone (mandible) to the skull’s temporal bone. This joint acts like a sliding hinge, enabling the necessary movements for speaking, chewing, and yawning. When this joint system malfunctions, it can lead to pain, restricted movement, and the characteristic clicking sound. The term for these issues is collectively known as temporomandibular disorders (TMDs), which are often treatable through a mix of self-care and professional interventions.
Understanding the Mechanism Behind the Click
The clicking sound originates from the articular disc, a small, oval-shaped piece of fibrocartilage that acts as a shock absorber and cushion between the two main bones of the joint. In a healthy joint, this disc remains positioned directly on top of the mandibular condyle—the rounded end of the lower jawbone. The clicking occurs when this disc is displaced, typically moving forward (anteriorly), and then snaps back into its proper place during jaw movement. This phenomenon is known as “disc displacement with reduction.”
When the mouth is closed, the disc is out of position, and the click happens as the jaw opens and the condyle moves forward, forcing the disc to “reduce” or slide back onto the condyle. A more concerning scenario is “disc displacement without reduction,” where the disc remains permanently displaced and acts as a physical barrier, resulting in a “locked jaw” and limited mouth opening rather than a click. Common factors initiating this displacement include trauma, chronic habits like teeth grinding (bruxism) or clenching, and degenerative changes within the joint itself.
Immediate Self-Care and Lifestyle Adjustments
Addressing a clicking jaw often begins with simple, actionable changes to daily habits that reduce strain on the joint and surrounding muscles. One of the most effective immediate strategies is adopting a soft diet to minimize the workload on the jaw. This involves temporarily avoiding hard, crunchy, or chewy foods like nuts, raw vegetables, tough meats, and gum. Food should also be cut into small pieces to prevent the need for wide-mouth opening during chewing.
Jaw resting techniques are an important part of self-care, as continuous muscle tension can worsen symptoms. Practice maintaining a relaxed jaw posture where the teeth are slightly apart, with the tongue resting gently on the roof of the mouth behind the front teeth. Avoiding habits that strain the joint can significantly reduce pressure. These habits include leaning the chin on a hand, excessive wide yawning, or cradling a phone between the shoulder and ear.
Applying temperature therapy can offer temporary relief for muscle soreness and inflammation. Warm, moist heat applied to the sides of the face helps relax tense muscles and improve circulation, making it suitable for chronic, dull pain. Conversely, a cold pack can reduce acute pain and inflammation, particularly if the joint feels hot or swollen. Both heat and cold can be applied for 10 to 20 minutes several times a day.
Gentle jaw stretching exercises help maintain the range of motion and promote muscle flexibility. Simple movements include slowly opening and closing the mouth or moving the jaw slightly from side to side without forcing a click. Since stress often contributes to clenching and grinding habits, incorporating stress management techniques like meditation or deep breathing can reduce the unconscious tension that loads the TMJ. Over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, can be used for temporary relief of pain and swelling.
Professional Treatment Pathways
When self-care measures do not provide sufficient relief, or if the jaw locking or pain is persistent and severe, professional intervention becomes necessary. Dentists and specialists often recommend custom-fitted oral appliances, such as night guards or occlusal splints, which cover the teeth and stabilize the bite. These devices work by reducing the forces of clenching and grinding, protecting the joint from strain, and encouraging the jaw muscles to relax.
Physical therapy offers a non-surgical approach focused on restoring normal function and reducing muscle pain. A physical therapist can provide targeted exercises to strengthen and stretch the jaw muscles, alongside modalities like ultrasound therapy or Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) to ease muscle tension. Counseling and biofeedback are also used to help patients recognize and modify behaviors, such as clenching or poor posture, that contribute to their symptoms.
Medical interventions can include prescription-strength medications, such as muscle relaxants to alleviate muscle spasms or higher-dose NSAIDs for more intense pain. In some cases, a healthcare professional may suggest therapeutic injections, such as corticosteroids directly into the joint space to reduce inflammation, or botulinum toxin injections into the jaw muscles. A minimally invasive procedure called arthrocentesis involves flushing fluid through the joint to remove inflammatory byproducts and debris, often used for painful locking. Surgical options are generally reserved as a last resort for severe structural problems, ranging from TMJ arthroscopy to open-joint surgery.