Why does my jaw keep popping?

Why does my jaw pop?

Cleveland Clinic says jaw clicking is usually a symptom of temporomandibular (TMJ) disorders. Its list of causes includes teeth grinding or clenching, habits such as nail biting or heavy gum chewing, arthritis, a misaligned bite, differences in the jaw joint's structure, stress-related muscle tension, injury and a family history of TMJ problems. It says clicking when you close and reopen your mouth, for example when chewing or speaking, comes from the joint's cartilage disk slipping in and out of place.

When is jaw popping normal?

Cleveland Clinic says popping when you open your mouth very wide, such as yawning, is generally harmless, especially without pain. NIDCR says clicking or popping without pain is common, normal and does not need treatment, and the NHS calls TMD not usually serious and often improving without treatment. So if your jaw pops but does not hurt, it is likely fine, and the question is whether anything else has changed.

Why does my jaw pop but not hurt?

Painless popping is usually the cartilage disk moving slightly as the joint opens, according to the explanations above, and it is common. See a dentist if it begins to hurt, gets louder, or starts to catch or lock, because those are the signs that the joint or muscles may be involved. Cleveland Clinic advises seeing a dentist or primary care doctor for popping when you chew even without pain.

Why does my jaw click when I chew?

Clicking with chewing or speaking means the disk is slipping as you move the joint, which Cleveland Clinic says is a reason to be seen. Grinding or clenching and habits such as gum chewing and nail biting can contribute, and a dentist can check your bite and joints. NHS lists clicking, popping or grinding when moving the jaw among TMD symptoms, with pain around the jaw, ear or temples, headaches and trouble opening the mouth fully.

Why does my jaw keep locking?

The NHS lists trouble opening the mouth fully, or the jaw locking open, among TMD symptoms, and says to contact a GP urgently or use NHS 111 if you cannot eat or drink, have locking or difficulty opening your jaw, have frequent severe headaches, scalp or temple tenderness, or vision problems such as double vision. Cleveland Clinic says if your jaw pops out of place you should get care right away and not try to reposition it yourself, and that being unable to close your jaw completely is a reason to see a dentist or doctor.

Does TMJ cause lightheadedness?

It can, in some people. Healthline says scientists do not fully know why, and describes a 2014 study in which about 60 percent of people with TMD also had vertigo. It says possible reasons include the position of the jaw joint's bone, which may trigger earache, tinnitus and vertigo, and overactive chewing muscles that may affect the tubes connecting the ear and nose. Healthline also says dizziness can be a symptom of many different conditions, so a proper diagnosis matters, and to see a doctor if TMD-related dizziness persists or recurs.

Jaw pain with chest pain, shortness of breath, sweating or nausea can be a sign of a heart attack, according to the NHS, and needs emergency care.

What helps

Cleveland Clinic lists lifestyle changes (avoid gum chewing, ice crunching and hard or chewy foods), home remedies (ice or heat, a mouth guard, softer foods and NSAIDs for inflammation), medication such as muscle relaxants, TMD-specific physical therapy and, for severe cases, procedures such as arthrocentesis. The NHS suggests soft foods, over-the-counter painkillers, an ice or heat pack wrapped in a towel, gentle massage, relaxation, and avoiding gum, nail or pen biting, wide yawning and clenching. Cleveland Clinic says untreated TMD can permanently damage the jaw, so see a dentist if symptoms persist.

Frequently asked questions