The Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) connects the lower jawbone (mandible) to the skull, situated just in front of each ear. This joint allows for the complex movements necessary for talking, chewing, and yawning. When clicking is heard or felt on only one side, it is often a sign of a localized issue known collectively as a temporomandibular disorder (TMD).
The Mechanism Behind the Clicking Sound
The TMJ is a sophisticated joint system that includes the articular disc, a piece of fibrocartilage. This disc acts as a shock absorber and gliding surface, separating the temporal bone from the mandibular condyle. The disc divides the joint into two compartments, allowing for both hinge-like rotation and forward sliding motion.
Clicking, popping, or snapping sounds occur due to disc displacement with reduction. The articular disc is positioned slightly forward of the condyle when the mouth is closed. As the jaw opens, the condyle slides forward and abruptly snaps back onto the disc, creating the audible click. A second, more subtle click may happen as the jaw closes and the disc slips forward again.
This noise results from uncoordinated movement between the condyle and the disc. Since the problem is isolated to one side, the clicking remains unilateral. This indicates that the ligaments or surrounding muscles on that specific side are strained or damaged. Pain or movement limitation accompanying the sound suggests the disc’s protective function is temporarily compromised.
Behavioral and Lifestyle Contributors
One-sided jaw clicking often stems from sustained, asymmetrical stress placed on the joint through daily habits. Teeth grinding and clenching (bruxism) are significant factors that increase strain on the TMJ and surrounding muscles, often occurring subconsciously. This activity overloads one side of the jaw, causing muscle fatigue and subsequent disc misalignment.
Chronic stress and anxiety increase muscle tension in the face and jaw, heightening the frequency of clenching and grinding. This heightened muscle activity can alter the normal movement pattern of the joint, exacerbating instability. The resulting muscle fatigue can subtly pull the jaw out of alignment, contributing to the unilateral clicking.
Postural issues also introduce asymmetrical pressure to the jaw joint over time. Habits like resting the chin on one hand, holding a phone between the shoulder and ear, or forward head posture continuously strain the muscles and ligaments on one side. This sustained, uneven load stretches the stabilizing ligaments of the TMJ, allowing the disc to more easily slip out of position and click during movement.
Structural Changes and Physical Damage
The clicking may also result from physical conditions affecting the joint’s structure. Inflammatory conditions like osteoarthritis involve the degeneration of joint surfaces as the protective disc wears down. This wear leads to irregular movement and the grating sound known as crepitus, which often accompanies the click.
Acute trauma, such as a direct blow or injury, can damage joint structures, causing the ligaments holding the disc in place to stretch or tear. This physical damage results in immediate displacement of the articular disc, leading to localized clicking and pain. Even less obvious trauma, like excessive jaw stretching during a dental procedure, can contribute to disc displacement.
Joint hypermobility, where ligaments are naturally looser, can also affect the TMJ. This condition causes the mandibular condyle to move beyond its normal range of motion, stressing the disc’s elastic fibers. If these fibers become overstretched, the disc is more prone to slipping and causing a click, or even temporarily locking the jaw.
When is it Time to See a Doctor
If clicking is accompanied by severe pain that persists or disrupts eating or speaking, professional evaluation is needed. Pain that radiates into the ear, temple, or neck indicates the joint is significantly inflamed or stressed. A serious sign is when the jaw temporarily gets “stuck” or locks in an open or closed position, suggesting the disc has displaced and failed to move back into place.
Any noticeable swelling or a sudden change in how the teeth meet should also prompt a consultation. If self-management strategies fail to improve symptoms, a healthcare provider can identify the cause and recommend treatment.