Do you ever hear a clicking noise when you move your jaw? If so, you’re not alone – jaw clicking commonly affects millions worldwide. It’s usually nothing to worry about, but if it’s causing you pain or affecting your face in other ways, it’s best to visit a dentist to rule out any dangerous underlying issues.
This article explores everything you need to know about jaw clicking: why it happens, related signs and symptoms, and treatment options to help you get relief. We’ll also share tips on preventing jaw clicking from happening in the first place. Read on to learn more!
Why Does My Jaw Click?
Your jaw clicking could be caused by a number of things, such as arthritis, TMJ disorder, or an injury. It’s important to figure out what’s causing the clicking so that you can get the best treatment.
You can do a few things to help ease the clicking and make it more comfortable. You can try using a mouth guard to protect your jaw, doing relaxation exercises, or taking over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen to reduce inflammation.
If the clicking is severe or doesn’t go away after trying these treatments, you may need to see a doctor. They can help diagnose the cause of the clicking and recommend further treatment.
Do I need treatment?
If you’re experiencing any of the following symptoms, it’s time to talk to your dentist about your jaw clicking:
- The clicking is painful
- Your jaw is tender
- Your face is swollen
- You have difficulty opening your mouth
- Your jaw becomes locked in place
- You struggle to eat
- You have headaches, toothaches, neck aches, or earaches.
While jaw-clicking can feel and sound strange, it isn’t an issue for most people. However, if you experience any of the following symptoms, you should consider talking to your dentist:
TMD can indicate an underlying medical condition that needs to be addressed.
These conditions include:
- Injury to your jaw
- Arthritis
- Infection of the jawbone
- Myofascial pain syndrome
- Teeth misalignment (malocclusion)
- Sleep apnea
- Tumour (ameloblastoma).
How To Stop Your Jaw From Clicking
When it comes to jaw-clicking, many people are at a loss for what to do. If you’re one of those people, don’t worry – you’re not alone. In this article, we’ll discuss some home remedies for jaw clicking.
Jaw clicking can be caused by various things, such as misaligned teeth, the tension in the jaw muscles, or temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJD). If you experience jaw clicking regularly, it’s essential to see a doctor determine the root cause.
In the meantime, here are some home remedies and dental treatments that may help:
1. Icing your jaw
Apply ice or a cold pack to the area around your jaw for 10-15 minutes several times a day. This can help reduce inflammation and pain.
2. Massage
Massage the muscles in your jaw and neck regularly. This can help relieve tension and stiffness.
3. Mouth guard
Use a mouth guard or night guard if you grind your teeth at night. This can help protect your teeth and reduce tension in your jaw muscles.
4. Balanced diet
Make sure to eat a balanced diet and get plenty of exercises. This can help keep your muscles healthy and reduce stress levels.
5. PT
See a chiropractor or physical therapist to assess and treat any underlying issues with your posture or alignment.
6. TMJ exercises
If you’re experiencing jaw clicking and pain, don’t worry, there are plenty of exercises you can do to help! Find the exercises that work best for you!
7. Medication
If you’re experiencing pain in your facial muscles and temporomandibular joints, anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen, aspirin, and specific muscle relaxants can help reduce the inflammation and prevent the nerves from being stimulated. This can help reduce your pain.
8. Improve your posture
Bad posture can be the root of many problems, including Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD). If your head is a little too far forward, the condyles of your jaw sit too deep in their sockets and can cause TMD. Luckily, there are many things you can do to improve your posture and avoid TMD. Physiotherapists can help you identify and fix bad posture habits, but there are also some things you can do on your own.
Try these tips to improve your posture and keep TMD at bay:
- Stand up straight with your shoulders back
- Make sure your ears are aligned with your shoulder
- Tighten your stomach muscles
- Avoid sitting for long periods
- Stretch regularly
9. Relaxing/Meditation
If you’re feeling stressed out, try doing some relaxing exercises to help relieve the tension. TMJ pain can be caused by stress, so anything you can do to reduce stress will help. Some practical activities include mindfulness meditation, deep breathing, getting a massage, taking a warm bath, going for a jog, and listening to soothing music. Pick whichever ones sound most appealing to you and give them a try!
10. Surgery
In some cases, surgery may be necessary to treat TMJ. Surgery is usually only recommended if other treatment options have failed and the pain is severe.
11. Dental Diagnosis
When you visit the dentist, they may ask you to take x-rays to examine your teeth and jaw. This can help them identify any injuries to your jaw or problems with your teeth alignment, such as an overbite.
These are just a few of the many treatments that are available for jaw clicking. Talk to your doctor or dentist to see which is right for you.
Jaw clicking is a common problem, but it doesn’t have to be permanent. With the right treatment, you can get rid of your jaw clicking and get back to living your life pain-free!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it normal that my jaw is clicking on one side with no pain?
Yes, it is normal for your jaw to click on one side with no pain. It could be caused by a number of things, such as arthritis, TMJ disorder, or an injury. It’s important to figure out what’s causing the clicking so that you can get the best treatment.
Why does my jaw pop but doesn’t hurt?
There are many reasons why your jaw might pop, but it doesn’t always hurt. In some cases, the popping sound is simply the result of air bubbles moving through the joint. However, if you experience pain or discomfort when your jaw pops, there may be an issue that requires medical attention.
If you’re experiencing pain when you open your mouth wide or chew, you might have a condition called temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMD). TMD can be caused by several factors, such as stress, grinding your teeth, or misaligned teeth. It can also signify a more serious problem, such as a tumor or infection.
If you’re experiencing pain in your jaw joint, you must see a doctor for diagnosis and treatment. Ignoring the problem could lead to long-term damage to the common and other health problems.
How to stop my jaw from popping when I open my mouth?
You can do many things to stop your jaw from popping when you open your mouth. First, try to avoid opening your mouth too wide. If you must open your mouth wide, do it slowly and gently. You should also avoid chewing gum and eating hard foods, as these can strain the joints. If you’re a teeth grinder, try to cut back on how often you do it or use a night guard to protect your teeth.
If these self-care measures don’t work, you may need to see a doctor for treatment. They may recommend physical therapy, medication, or surgery.
