Why does my jaw pop when I chew?

Why does my jaw pop when I chew?

Cleveland Clinic says clicking while you close and reopen your mouth, such as when chewing or speaking, happens when the articular disk, the cartilage cushion in the jaw joint, slides in and out of place. It is a common symptom of temporomandibular disorders, often called TMJ or TMD. The NHS lists clicking, popping or grinding when moving the jaw among the symptoms of a jaw disorder, alongside pain around the jaw, ear and temple, headaches, difficulty opening fully and locking.

What causes it?

Cleveland Clinic lists teeth grinding or clenching, habits like nail biting or excessive gum chewing, arthritis, a misaligned bite, jaw joint abnormalities, stress or anxiety muscle tension, injury from an accident or sports, and a family history of jaw problems. The NHS lists teeth grinding, wear and tear on the jaw joint, a blow to the head or face, stress and an uneven bite. Our guides on why the jaw keeps popping and why the jaw hurts cover causes in more detail.

When is it harmless?

Cleveland Clinic says popping only when yawning or opening very wide, without pain, is typically due to temporary overextension. It says to schedule a visit with a dentist or primary care physician for persistent jaw pain or tenderness, being unable to fully close your jaw, or popping while chewing, and that popping during eating or speaking warrants a visit even without pain. Untreated TMD can permanently damage the jaw, including loss of cartilage and bone, according to the page, though clicking often resolves with treatment of the underlying cause.

What can you do at home?

Cleveland Clinic suggests stopping habits such as nail biting, excessive gum chewing and ice crunching, limiting hard or chewy foods, using ice or heat and a mouth guard, eating softer foods and taking anti-inflammatory pain relievers. It advises keeping your teeth slightly apart except when eating, swallowing or speaking and keeping the jaw relaxed at rest. The NHS suggests soft foods, a heat or ice pack wrapped in a tea towel, gently massaging the sore jaw muscles, relaxation techniques, and avoiding chewing gum, biting food with your front teeth, yawning widely and nail biting.

How is it treated?

Cleveland Clinic lists lifestyle changes and home care, prescription medicines such as muscle relaxants for mild to moderate cases, nonsurgical treatments such as physiotherapy with jaw exercises, trigger point massage and dental work to correct the bite, and surgery for severe cases. The NHS says a GP may offer stronger painkillers, relaxation methods and sleep advice, refer you to a dentist if grinding is a factor, a psychologist if stress worsens the pain or a physiotherapist, and, if these do not help, a joint specialist. See our guides on night guards.

When is it urgent?

Cleveland Clinic says if your jaw pops out of place, get medical care right away and do not try to reposition it yourself. The NHS says to contact your GP urgently or call 111 if you cannot eat or drink, your jaw locks or you cannot open it fully, you have severe or frequent headaches, scalp or temple tenderness, or vision problems such as double vision, because these can indicate a serious problem. These pages do not explain which condition; they are warnings to be seen promptly.

Questions to ask your dentist

Take these to your appointment.

• Is the clicking from the disc, the muscles, my bite or grinding?
• Do I need imaging, and what would it show?
• Would a night guard help, and which kind?
• Which habits should I stop?
• Who should I see if it does not improve?

Frequently asked questions