Table of Content
Why Does My Jaw Pop When I Chew? (& How to Fix It)
by Dylan Hao |
You can pop your knuckles, neck, and back; it might even feel good when you do! But when your jaw starts popping and clicking when you chew, it’s usually a sign of a problem.
A popping jaw can mean one of many things. Once you notice it, pay attention to:
- How often it’s happening
- How long it goes on for
- What you’re doing when the sensation occurs
From there, you’ll be able to pinpoint the cause of your clicks and pops, leading you to the proper treatment.
In this blog, we’ll explain the typical reasons behind clicking and popping in the jaw with chewing and how you can fix it when it happens to you.
What’s Actually Happening When My Jaw “Pops”?
Our bodies have an incredibly streamlined design set up to be the ultimate in efficiency. This is visibly seen in the digestive process, which starts in the mouth when you chew.
Chewing involves the jaw muscles that move the jawbone up and down or side to side, connecting the upper and lower teeth. The teeth then grind and break down food into small, digestible pieces, mixing them with saliva. The tongue then pushes the food to the back of the mouth, where it is swallowed.
The key to all these movements, as well as yawning and speaking, is the jaw. It’s made up of the lower jaw (mandible), upper jaw (maxilla), and temporomandibular joint (TMJ).
Each part must be aligned correctly to ensure the upper and lower teeth can chew. When anything disrupts this system and impacts the jaw’s alignment, the result can be popping, clicking, and pain.
Causes of Jaw Popping
To figure out what your jaw is trying to say, you need to determine what’s causing the problem. Here, we’ll summarize some of the main reasons you might have jaw popping on one or both sides of your face.
Bruxism
Bruxism is a sleep-related disorder better known as teeth grinding. “Grinders” usually clench their jaws and gnash their teeth while asleep, making it difficult to stop and catch themselves in the action.
Because grinding and clenching puts extra pressure on the TMJ, it can cause it to swell or become misaligned. The result is a popping or clicking when the joint tries to move — when you open or close your mouth.
There are many reasons for teeth grinding, but the most common is stress. In fact, dentists have seen a massive leap in stress-related oral health disorders like bruxism since the pandemic, so if you’re dealing with this issue, you’re not alone!
Teeth grinding is up over 71%, while cracked and chipped teeth (often caused by bruxing) are also on the rise.
Bruxism is a secondary diagnosis, though. The only way to stop grinding is to get to the root of what’s causing it.
In the meantime, you can minimize the damage to your body by wearing a custom-made night guard, like those we fabricate at JS Dental Lab. They’re comfortable, durable, and easy to order right from your home!
TMJ Disorders
Another diagnosis on the rise is TMDs, or temporomandibular joint disorders. Often called “TMJ” because they affect the joint connecting the jaw and the skull, this term refers to a variety of over 30 different conditions.
While each is unique, they have one main thing in common: they affect the jaw joint, often leading to clicking and popping.
Within the mechanics of a TMJ disorder lies a dysfunction with the joint's cushioning disc. When it becomes displaced, it slides out of its natural spot and then “pops” back in place when you move the jaw.
Unlike bruxism, TMJ is a medical condition that may require the help of a TMJ specialist and an oral splint designed to reposition the jaw. Mild TMDs may benefit from a night guard to rest the jaw muscles, but if you think you have a TMD, talk to your doctor about potential treatment options.
Malocclusions
Misaligned teeth, called malocclusions, shift the connection between the upper and lower arch of the mouth. This forces the TMJ to work harder and puts stress on the jaw joint and muscles.
The misalignment displaces the cartilage, creating the jaw clicking sound you hear when you move your mouth.
Because of the extra tension and uneven pressure on the joint from this improper bite alignment, you may also feel tight muscles in the jaw and neck.
Depending on the severity of the malocclusion and whether you have an overbite, underbite, or crossbite, other oral health issues could develop. Check with your dentist to determine how to correct the bite alignment early.
Orthodontic treatment is a common method, but if you have a mild misalignment, you could benefit from physical therapy and exercises to correct the jaw’s position and relaxation techniques to loosen the jaw muscles.
Arthritis in the TMJ
Arthritis is a disease that happens in the body’s joints. We most commonly think of it in places like the hands, knees, and hips, but arthritis can happen in the TMJ, too.
When it does, it damages the cartilage and the bones rub together with jaw movement. This motion, along with the displacement of the cushioning disc in the joint, causes popping.
TMJ-related arthritis can create deterioration to the degree that you have bone-on-bone contact. When you move your jaw, you might hear a grinding sound instead of popping.
Arthritis can happen naturally with age, or you may be predisposed to this condition due to genetics and other factors. Experts suggest about one-third of people in the U.S. have some degree of arthritis. Your doctor can diagnose arthritis in the jaw using an x-ray or other radiology tests.
Overuse of the Joint
Have you ever laughed or smiled so much that your jaw hurt?
It’s not in your mind. It really happens!
While these two causes of painful jaw issues are a good thing, there are many other not-so-great ways you can overuse your jaw and TMJ that could be causing your popping sounds.
Certain bad habits are notorious jaw disorder creators, such as:
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Chewing gum
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Biting on hard objects (think: fingernails, pens, ice cubes)
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Using tobacco
Do you think your habits could be the jaw popping culprit?
Consider giving your jaw muscles a chance to rest by breaking the habit, at least temporarily, and wearing a night guard while you sleep. If a little TLC and rest make the popping go away, you know what to watch out for in the future!
Trauma to the Jaw
Have you had a recent trauma to the mouth or head?
If so, that could be the reason for your jaw popping. Trauma from any impact, whether a car accident, sports injury, or fall, can force the TMJ out of place or cause it to swell. When it pops back into position with movement, it makes that clicking noise you hear — and often hurts.
If you have the trifecta of injury, clicking, and facial pain, see a doctor as soon as possible to make sure you don’t have a concussion or any other serious damage to the jaw.
Trismus
Trismus is a condition that causes a limited range of jaw motion. Characterized by uncontrollable jaw spasms, trismus is frequently linked with TMJ disorders.
Damage to the joint produces popping and clicking. If you have trismus, you’ve probably noticed other symptoms, like jaw pain, stiffness (locked jaw), and trouble opening your mouth to its full range of motion.
Learn More: The Science Behind Jaw Spasms: Causes and Remedies
How to Treat Jaw Popping and Clicking From Chewing
No matter the cause of your jaw popping, it’s annoying at best and downright painful at worst. You need to talk and chew, but you don’t want to irritate the muscles and joints in your face.
What can you do?
When you have jaw popping and clicking with chewing, here are a few simple at-home remedies and lifestyle changes that may help reduce the symptoms:
- While your jaw is clicking, avoid sticky, chewy, and hard foods. A soft food diet will help your jaw muscles and TMJ recover faster and reduce swelling.
- Be careful and deliberate when you turn your neck and move your mouth. These motions are commonly taught in physical therapy, which may be recommended as part of your treatment plan.
- Rest your jaw as much as possible. Don’t lean on your hand with your jaw, and wear a night guard when sleeping.
- Talk to your doctor about exercises and stretches you can do to strengthen and relax your jaw muscles, improve your posture, and correct your bite alignment.
If your jaw is hurting along with the popping, apply an ice pack to the affected area for 10-15 minutes to reduce inflammation. Over-the-counter pain medication, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen (Tylenol), or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can reduce the symptoms. Your doctor may also suggest muscle relaxants.
When to See a Specialist For Jaw Popping
In most cases, jaw popping and clicking will go away on its own (with a bit of rest and TLC, as discussed above). However, it’s a fine line to walk. If it’s bruxism, TMJ, or another more serious condition, the sooner you catch the problem, the easier it is to treat.
Early signs of popping are something to pay attention to and monitor. You should see a doctor if any of the following symptoms are present:
- Significant pain when you open your mouth or chew
- An injury to the area before your popping and clicking began, particularly if it was a jaw injury
- Trouble moving or locking your jaw (limited range of motion)
- Popping associated with headaches, severe neck pain, or swelling
Chronic jaw popping is a symptom, not a diagnosis. There’s a reason your jaw joint keeps clicking in and out of place.
A TMJ or dentistry specialist or your general healthcare professional can help you pinpoint the underlying cause to get you on track to a solution.
Conclusion
Chewing, talking, yawning, and other mouth movements all use the jaw muscles. Like any overused muscle, those facial tissues and ligaments need a break!
Give them some help by letting them rest for your 6-8 hour slumber with a professional night guard from JS Dental Lab.
