Millions of people around the world regularly deal with an occurrence known as jaw popping or jaw clicking. This occurrence is typically not a problem for most people, but sometimes there can be an underlying problem that can result in pain and discomfort. If jaw popping causes pain or otherwise affects normal face function, it may be the result of a TMJ disorder, arthritis, jaw trauma, or some other issue. When these underlying issues cause problems, then it may be time to visit a specialist to determine if the cause is something problematic.
What is Jaw Popping?
Jaw popping is usually caused by dysfunction of the temporomandibular joint, or TMJ. Dysfunction in the TMJ is often called a TMJD or temporomandibular joint disorder. This joint is responsible for connecting the lower mandible (jawbone) to the rest of the skull at the temporal bones. These connecting points are on each side of the head, right below the ears. These joints act as hinges that allows an individual to open and close their mouths as well as move the jaw from side to side. This movement impacts an individual’s ability to talk, chew, and yawn and when there is dysfunction in this joint, chewing, talking, and yawning can be impeded or result in jaw popping or clicking.
What Causes Jaw Popping?
Jaw popping can result from frequently performing different activities and behaviors like fingernail biting, teeth grinding, jaw clenching, and frequent gum chewing. These activities cause unnecessary wear and tear on the TMJ which eventually erodes tissue and cartilage which can result in jaw popping or clicking. There are other causes of jaw clicking that are more problematic which are explored below.
Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis can both affect the TMJ. Osteoarthritis is a degenerative condition that can affect any joint in the body. It is usually tied to joint overuse and is more likely to occur the older an individual is. This condition is characterized by the destruction of the cartilage in the TMJ which can change the shape and function of the jaw. When this happens, jaw movements no longer have the appropriate support due to cartilage deterioration which result in difficult jaw movements and jaw popping.
Rheumatoid arthritis is the result of an auto immune disorder where your own body’s immune system targets healthy tissues around the joints in your body. This results in severe chronic inflammation in different joints in the body including the TMJ. Other symptoms of both types of arthritis aside from difficulty moving the jaw include TMJ pain, reduced range of movement, and even fatigue or appetite loss.
Broken or Dislocated Jaw
Impact trauma to the TMJ could also result in serious injury like a broken or dislocated jaw. Dislocation is characterized when the TMJ becomes unhinged which results in significant trauma to the surrounding soft tissues. A broken jaw is characterized by a fracture in the jawbone itself which greatly impacts the function of the jaw. These occurrences could be caused by falls, car crashes, accidents, sports injuries, and assault. When a break or dislocation occurs, individuals will also most likely experience extreme pain, swelling, and bruising, and possibly even bleeding or numbness. If the jaw does not heal correctly, the result could be long lasting jaw popping or clicking.
Malocclusion of the Teeth
Malocclusion of the teeth is a complicated way to say teeth misalignment. This is otherwise known as overbite, underbite, crossbite, open bite, or crowded teeth which essentially means that an individual’s teeth are positioned poorly. This can result in TMJ disorders that are often associated with jaw popping or clicking. Other symptoms of malocclusion of the teeth include mouth breathing, discomfort when eating, difficulty speaking properly, frequently biting cheeks and tongue, and irregular jaw appearance and structure. Luckily malocclusion of the teeth is typically diagnosed early in life during regular dental visits and treated using braces and other orthodontic means of teeth alignment.
Myofascial Pain Syndrome
Myofascial pain syndrome is a condition that causes chronic pain throughout the body’s musculoskeletal system. The pain generally is localized to specific areas of the body called trigger points. These trigger points are activated when muscles contract repeatedly. When this occurs around the TMJ, it is likely due to chewing on gum, tough foods, or because of jaw clenching or teeth grinding. When these muscles are triggered, the TMJ function may change slightly to help alleviate the pain and discomfort which can result in jaw popping or clicking. Other characteristics of MPS include:
- Pain that lasts longer than a week
- Muscle knots
- Reduced range of movement
- Sleep disturbance
- Increasing pain when trigger point is stretched or aggravated
Sleep Apnea
While sleep apnea may not directly cause jaw popping, there is a strong relationship that associates the 2 comorbidities. This is likely due to sleep apnea sufferers experiencing a collapse in their airway which is sometimes caused by the jaw shifting backward while an individual sleeps. This puts unnecessary pressure on the airway and cuts of a healthy oxygen supply. When a sleep apnea sufferer tries to recover from oxygen deprivation, they will consciously or subconsciously realign their jaw position and force their lower jaw forward to open their airway back up. Individuals who suffer from chronic sleep apnea will experience this movement many times while they sleep which can eventually lead to symptoms similar to malocclusion of the teeth. These repeated jaw corrections can eventually lead to jaw popping or clicking if corrective steps are not taken to alleviate the symptoms that are causing sleep apnea.
Infection
There are oral infections that can occur around the TMJ. One in particular is an infection of the salivary gland which can be caused by bacteria like staph, a virus like mumps, or a blockage like a salivary stone. These infections can impact the parotid gland, the submandibular gland, and the sublingual gland. The 2 that are most likely to cause jaw popping are infections of the parotid gland which is found inside each cheek and the submandibular gland which is found below the jawbone. When these glands are infected, they become painful, tender, and inflamed. The inflammation can lead to hard swelling of the gland and the surrounding tissues which can put pressure on the TMJ. This pressure can result in difficulty opening the mouth and reduced range of movement in the TMJ. Other symptoms to look out for are dry mouth, foul taste, and pus that appears to be coming from salivary gland openings.
Tumor
Oral tumors or cancers can develop in the lips, tongue, cheek, gums, hard and soft palate, and sublingually. These cancers will grow causing serious discomfort in the tissues surrounding the tumor. If the tumors grow enough to impact normal jaw function, this can lead to jaw popping or clicking when the TMJ is being used. Symptoms of oral cancer are serious and should be inspected by a specialist immediately. If any of the following symptoms occur, it may be time to be checked for cancers of the mouth:
- Sore on the lip or mouth that won’t heal
- Loose teeth
- Deteriorating gums
- Chronic earache
- Growth inside of mouth or on neck
- Drastic and immediate weight loss
Should I Get Treatment for Jaw Popping?
The importance of getting jaw popping checked is largely dependent on the severity of the symptoms and possible comorbidities. If there is no pain or discomfort from jaw popping, it most likely is a non-issue that most individuals can live with. However, if an individual is experiencing any of the following symptoms, they should get checked immediately by a specialist of physician:
- Painful jaw popping or clicking
- Jaw tenderness or soreness
- Inflamed or swollen jaw or tmj
- Reduced range of movement
- Difficulty chewing or talking
- Jaw locking in place
- Chronic headaches, toothaches, earaches, or neck pain
- Sores or growths
- Deteriorating gums and teeth
- Pus in mouth
How is Jaw Popping Treated?
There are several possible treatments for jaw popping. For less intense symptoms, simple home remedies may be recommended. For more severe symptoms, medical treatment options may be required.
Home Remedies for Jaw Popping
The most common home remedies that can help alleviate jaw popping and other minor TMJ symptoms include:
- Applying a cold compress or ice pack to the TMJ
- Using OTC NSAID (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) like ibuprofen and aspirin
- Eating a diet consisting of softer foods that don’t require lots of chewing
- Using an oral appliance like a nighttime mouth guard to manage grinding and clenching
- Using an oral splint to prevent malocclusion of the teeth while sleeping
- Practice relaxation techniques that can alleviate stress
- Performing simple at home TMJ exercises
Medical Treatments for Jaw Popping
If home remedies fail to reduce jaw popping, it might be time to seek medical treatment. The following are all possible treatments that can be implemented with the help of a specialist or physician.
- Corrective dental work like braces to help fix over bites and under bites
- Trigger point injections to alleviate pressure and pain from myofascial pain syndrome
- Using prescription muscle relaxers, anti-anxiety medications, and antidepressants
- Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) relaxes jaw muscles to relieve pain
- Laser or radio wave therapy stimulate movement and help relax tight jaw muscles
- Surgery that removes fluid, repairs, or replaces the joint
Jaw Popping Outlook
Normally jaw popping is a condition that most people are able to live with without issues. Even if there is minor pain or discomfort, most occurrences of jaw popping can be alleviated with simple home remedies. That being said, there are times when jaw popping is indicative of a much larger problem. If jaw popping results in increasing pain or discomfort that does not go away after a short period, it is time to seek out medical attention. If other symptoms emerge that are indicative of a much more serious problem, medical attention should be sought out.
Contact A Qualified TMJ Doctor To Help Treat for Jaw Popping
If you or a loved one are suffering from jaw popping and other symptoms that are associated with jaw popping, it may be time to seek medical treatment. Dr. Kathy Omrani at the Headache TMJ Los Angeles Pain Clinic is ready to provide an examination to discover what may be causing the problem and develop a treatment plan to help alleviate any pain and discomfort you may be feeling. Call today to schedule a visit!
Jaw Popping FAQs
Should I be worried about jaw popping?
Jaw popping is fairly common and usually isn’t something to be concerned about. If there are other symptoms like pain, discomfort, difficulty with normal jaw functions, or reduced range of movement, then there may be a problem worth worrying about. In these instances, it is best to be examined by a medical professional.
How do you fix jaw popping?
The best way to alleviate jaw popping is to implement home remedies like applying ice packs, using OTC pain medications, eating soft foods, and using TMJ exercises.
Why is my jaw clicking on one side?
Jaw popping or clicking is usually the result of some kind of dysfunction in the TMJ. This could be caused by several possible reasons including infection, malocclusion of the teeth, arthritis, impact trauma, tumor, and myofascial pain syndrome.
Will jaw popping go away?
Jaw popping and clicking are not serious problems that last indefinitely. Often times, these symptoms will disappear in a couple weeks.
