Jaw clicking, or a popping sensation when moving the mouth, is a common symptom of Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD). TMD refers to problems involving the jaw joint and surrounding muscles and tissues. While the sound may not always be painful, it indicates the jaw joint is not moving smoothly. Understanding the source and taking appropriate steps can reduce or eliminate the clicking and improve jaw function.
Understanding the Source of Jaw Clicking
The clicking sound originates in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), which connects the lower jawbone (mandible) to the temporal bone of the skull, located in front of the ear. Inside the joint is the articular disc, a small, disc-shaped piece of cartilage. This disc acts as a shock absorber, ensuring the joint surfaces glide smoothly during movements like chewing and speaking.
The most frequent cause is disc displacement with reduction. When the jaw is closed, the articular disc slips forward or to the side of its normal position. As the mouth opens, the lower jawbone (condyle) moves forward, forcing the displaced disc to “pop” back into place on top of the condyle, creating the first clicking sound.
A second click may occur when closing the mouth as the condyle slides back off the disc, allowing it to slip forward again. This irregular movement produces the audible sound. Excessive tension in the surrounding jaw and facial muscles, often due to stress or teeth grinding (bruxism), also contributes to the joint dysfunction that causes clicking.
Immediate Self-Care and Lifestyle Modifications
The first step in managing jaw clicking involves resting the joint and modifying habits that strain the TMJ. Adopting a soft food diet reduces the workload on the jaw muscles and joint structures, allowing recovery from inflammation. Temporarily avoid hard, crunchy, or chewy foods, such as nuts, chewing gum, and tough cuts of meat.
Modifying jaw habits is an important self-care measure. Avoid wide-opening movements, such as large yawns, and limit activities like excessive gum chewing or resting your chin on your hand. The goal is to keep the teeth slightly apart to relax the jaw muscles, often achieved by resting the tongue gently on the roof of the mouth behind the front teeth.
Applying temperature therapy addresses discomfort and muscle tension. Moist heat, applied for 15 to 20 minutes, helps relax tense jaw muscles and increase blood flow. Conversely, a cold pack can reduce inflammation and numb sharp pain during an acute flare-up. Gentle stretching and relaxation exercises can also be performed at home to improve mobility without causing a click.
Professional Non-Invasive Medical Treatments
If self-care measures do not resolve the clicking, professional intervention begins with non-invasive treatments. Oral appliances, commonly known as splints or night guards, are custom-made devices worn over the teeth. These appliances stabilize the TMJ, prevent teeth grinding, and help reposition the lower jaw to reduce strain on the joint and surrounding tissues.
Physical therapy provides targeted treatment for the muscles and movement patterns contributing to the disorder. A specialized physical therapist can use techniques like manual mobilization and therapeutic massage to improve jaw movement. They also teach specific exercises designed to strengthen and stretch the jaw muscles, restoring proper coordination and range of motion.
Pharmacological treatments manage associated symptoms like pain and muscle tension. Over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) reduce joint inflammation. For severe muscle spasms or nighttime clenching, a healthcare provider may prescribe muscle relaxants for short-term use. Injections, such as corticosteroids into the joint or Botulinum Toxin (Botox) into hyperactive chewing muscles, may also be used to provide relief.
When to Seek Advanced Intervention
While most cases respond well to conservative management, certain signs indicate a need for specialized procedures. Consult a specialist, such as an oral and maxillofacial surgeon or a TMD dentist, if the clicking is accompanied by severe pain or significantly interferes with daily activities like eating or sleeping. Persistent symptoms that do not improve after several weeks of conservative treatment also warrant professional evaluation.
A particularly concerning symptom is jaw locking, where the jaw gets temporarily stuck open or closed. Locking suggests the disc is fully displaced, preventing the condyle from moving correctly—a condition known as disc displacement without reduction. To assess the joint, a specialist may use advanced diagnostic tools like Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) or Computed Tomography (CT) scans to visualize the disc position and bone structure.
For the small percentage of individuals whose symptoms are severe and unresponsive to non-invasive methods, advanced interventions may be considered as a last resort. Minimally invasive procedures include arthrocentesis (flushing the joint with fluid) or arthroscopy (keyhole surgery) to clean the joint and restore movement. Open-joint surgery is only recommended in the most severe cases of structural joint damage, such as advanced joint degeneration or fusion.