Many people notice that their jaw “clicks,” “pops,” or “cracks” when opening the mouth, chewing, or yawning. While these sounds are often harmless, they can sometimes be a sign of a temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder.
📌 Recommended Article :
PDF 🔽 Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) in children - Clinical examination and treatment ... Diagnosis is through clinical and radiographic examinations, and treatment aims to eliminate pain, improve chewing, and reduce risk factors. In some cases, treatment is multidisciplinary.Understanding why the jaw makes noise, what conditions are involved, and how they are treated helps reduce anxiety and supports early care.
Advertisement
✅ What Is the Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ)?
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) connects the lower jaw (mandible) to the skull. It works like a hinge and a sliding joint at the same time, allowing us to talk, chew, swallow, and yawn. Inside the joint, a small cartilage disc helps movements stay smooth and quiet.
When this system loses coordination or becomes irritated, joint sounds may appear.
📌 Recommended Article :
Dental Article 🔽 Night Guards: Do They Really Help with Bruxism? ... Optimal management often requires a multidisciplinary approach, combining occlusal therapy with behavioral strategies, stress management, and, when indicated, pharmacological or adjunctive therapies.✅ Main Causes of Jaw Clicking
Jaw noises usually occur due to changes in joint mechanics, muscle tension, or disc position. The most common causes include:
▪️ Disc displacement
▪️ Joint inflammation
▪️ Muscle overload or tension
▪️ Degenerative joint changes
▪️ Joint hypermobility
Not all clicking is painful or dangerous, but persistent noise, pain, or limited movement should be evaluated.
📌 Recommended Article :
Dental Article 🔽 Occlusal Splints: Types, Benefits, and Who Needs Them ... Occlusal splints, also known as bite guards, night guards, or dental orthotics, are removable dental devices that cover the occlusal (biting) surfaces of teeth.✅ Common TMJ Disorders: Definition and Treatment
1. Disc Displacement With Reduction
Definition:
The joint disc moves out of its normal position but returns during mouth opening, producing a clear clicking sound.
Treatment:
▪️ Patient education and reassurance
▪️ Jaw exercises and physical therapy
▪️ Occlusal splints (night guards)
▪️ Stress management
2. Disc Displacement Without Reduction
Definition:
The disc does not return to its normal position, often causing limited mouth opening and discomfort, usually without clicking.
Treatment:
▪️ Physical therapy
▪️ Anti-inflammatory medication
▪️ Occlusal appliances
▪️ Referral to a specialist if needed
📌 Recommended Article :
PDF 🔽 Is there a relationship between headache and temporomandibular disorder? ... Temporomandibular dysfunction is evidenced by sharp pain in the temporomandibular joint and the chewing muscles.3. Myofascial Pain (Muscle-Related TMJ Disorder)
Definition:
Pain and tension in the jaw muscles, often linked to stress, clenching, or grinding.
Treatment:
▪️ Muscle relaxation techniques
▪️ Physical therapy
▪️ Behavioral counseling
▪️ Occlusal splints
4. TMJ Inflammation (Capsulitis or Synovitis)
Definition:
Inflammation of the joint tissues, commonly associated with pain during movement.
Treatment:
▪️ Anti-inflammatory medication
▪️ Rest and soft diet
▪️ Cold or warm compresses
📌 Recommended Article :
Video 🔽 Everything you need to know about bruxism ... The treatment of bruxism is multidisciplinary. In dentistry, discharge splints are made to relieve pain and muscle tension and prevent premature wear of the enamel.5. Degenerative Joint Disease (TMJ Osteoarthritis)
Definition:
Gradual wear of joint surfaces, more common with aging or long-term overload.
Treatment:
▪️ Conservative pain management
▪️ Physical therapy
▪️ Occlusal stabilization
▪️ Specialist care for advanced cases
📊 Comparative Table: Treatments for Temporomandibular Joint Disorders
| TMJ Condition | Main Treatment Options | Expected Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Disc displacement with reduction | Exercises, splints, stress control | Reduced clicking and improved comfort |
| Disc displacement without reduction | Physical therapy, medication | Improved jaw movement and pain relief |
| Muscle-related TMJ pain | Muscle relaxation, splints | Pain reduction and functional recovery |
| TMJ inflammation | Anti-inflammatory therapy, rest | Decreased inflammation and pain |
| Degenerative joint disease | Conservative management, monitoring | Symptom control and slower progression |
Jaw clicking is very common and, in many cases, not a sign of serious disease. Scientific evidence shows that most TMJ disorders respond well to conservative, non-invasive treatment. Early education and simple behavioral changes often prevent progression.
Importantly, absence of pain usually means no urgent treatment is required, but monitoring is still recommended.
📌 Recommended Article :
Video 🔽 Massage Tutorial: Myofascial release for TMJ/jaw pain ... It is important to determine what is the cause of the TMJ syndrome, to carry out a good treatment, for this, tests such as: x-rays, occlusal analysis, magnetic resonance, etc. are carried out.✍️ Conclusion
A clicking jaw is often related to temporary changes in joint coordination rather than permanent damage. Understanding the cause allows patients to feel reassured and make informed decisions. When symptoms persist or worsen, early professional evaluation leads to better outcomes and avoids unnecessary interventions.
🎯 Recommendations for Patients
▪️ Avoid excessive mouth opening (yawning widely, biting hard foods)
▪️ Reduce clenching and grinding, especially during stress
▪️ Maintain good posture, especially when using screens
▪️ Seek dental evaluation if pain, locking, or limited movement appears
📚 References
✔ American Academy of Orofacial Pain. (2020). Orofacial pain: Guidelines for assessment, diagnosis, and management (6th ed.). Quintessence Publishing.
✔ Okeson, J. P. (2020). Management of temporomandibular disorders and occlusion (8th ed.). Elsevier.
✔ Schiffman, E., Ohrbach, R., Truelove, E., et al. (2014). Diagnostic criteria for temporomandibular disorders (DC/TMD). Journal of Oral & Facial Pain and Headache, 28(1), 6–27. https://doi.org/10.11607/jop.1151
✔ Manfredini, D., Guarda-Nardini, L., Winocur, E., Piccotti, F., Ahlberg, J., & Lobbezoo, F. (2011). Research diagnostic criteria for temporomandibular disorders. Journal of Oral Rehabilitation, 38(9), 631–640. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2842.2011.02210.x
📌 More Recommended Items
► Myofascial Pain Syndrome in Dentistry: Clinical Impact and Modern Management
► Bruxism - A Major Cause of Gum Recession
► What causes jaw pain? - Painful, clicking jaw? Causes, symptoms and treatment