Jaw Clicking and Popping: Causes and What Helps

The jaw joint sits just in front of the ear and has a small disc that moves with the jaw. If the disc slides slightly out of place and snaps back as you open, you hear or feel a click or pop. Uneven muscle pull, clenching and grinding, a past injury, or a change in the bite can all contribute.

Plenty of people click for years without pain. In that case it is a noise, not a disease.

Treat it as a problem when it comes with pain in the jaw, ear or temple, difficulty opening wide, chewing that hurts, or the jaw catching or locking. These suggest a temporomandibular joint disorder, and a dentist can examine the joint and muscles.

Locking is covered in jaw locking reasons. A jaw stuck open or closed needs same-day care. Swelling of the face, fever or difficulty swallowing or breathing also needs same-day care, and a hospital emergency department if breathing or swallowing is affected.

Rest the jaw during flare-ups: eat soft foods, take small bites, avoid chewing gum and very chewy food, and keep yawns small. A warm cloth on the jaw eases tight muscles. Check that your teeth are apart and your jaw relaxed during the day.

If grinding is involved, a custom night guard may help, as explained in do I need a mouth guard for teeth grinding, along with stress and sleep habits. Do not crack or click the jaw deliberately.

Irreversible treatment such as grinding teeth down or changing the bite should not be the first answer. The jaw pain page explains the sensible order of care.