Reviewed by Dr. Alan Baughman, DMD, MBA
Reading time: three minutes.
Each time you open or close your mouth, the two small joints in front of your ears move in perfect coordination. When they fall out of sync, the result is a quick pop or clicking sound that signals something mechanical is off. Here’s why it happens and what those clicking sounds reveal about your jaw health.
Table of Contents
- Understanding the Physics Behind a Jaw Click
- When Jaw Clicking Becomes a Problem
- How a Dentist Can Help
- Book a Dental Visit in Greeley, CO
- FAQs
Understanding the Physics Behind a Jaw Click
Your jaw works like a sliding hinge. Two temporomandibular joints connect your lower jaw (mandible) to the skull. Between those bones is a small cartilage disc that cushions movement and keeps everything gliding smoothly. When the disc slips out of place or tension builds in the jaw muscles, the hinge no longer moves in perfect harmony.
That’s when you hear it: the click. It’s the sound of the disc snapping back into position as your jaw opens or closes. Think of it like a door hinge catching and releasing. Over time, repeated friction or stress in that motion can strain the joint, causing stiffness or locking.
Common Reasons for Jaw Clicking
Jaw clicking can have several underlying causes, ranging from muscle tension to structural issues within the joint itself. Identifying the source helps guide treatment and prevent long-term strain.
- TMJ disorders: They occur when the joint, muscles, or ligaments lose balance. The cartilage disc may slip, leading to popping or discomfort. This imbalance can result from misaligned teeth, tension, or injury.
- Teeth grinding or clenching: Chronic grinding (bruxism) keeps the jaw muscles tight. The pressure compresses the joint and wears down the disc’s cushioning, creating clicking sounds when you relax or move your jaw again.
- Bite misalignment: When teeth don’t fit together properly, your jaw compensates by shifting slightly every time you chew. That uneven force stresses the TMJ over thousands of movements. Orthodontic treatments can help realign your bite and ease this strain.
- Stress: Emotional stress often leads to unconscious jaw clenching or tightening of facial muscles. Over time, that tension increases friction within the jaw joint, leading to pain or clicking.
When Jaw Clicking Becomes a Problem
A single click now and then isn’t always serious. But if you start to feel…
- Jaw pain or tenderness near your ears
- Limited movement when opening your mouth
- Headaches, neck tension, or pain when chewing
- Uneven bite pressure or teeth that feel “off”
…these are signs that your temporomandibular joints are under chronic stress. Left untreated, this can lead to joint inflammation, uneven tooth wear, or even sleep apnea symptoms due to airway restriction.
How a Dentist Can Help
At Clearwater Dentistry in Greeley, CO, Dr. Alan Baughman evaluates how your bite and jaw function together. A full TMJ exam can reveal whether your jaw joint is clicking because of muscle imbalance, misalignment, or stress.
Depending on the cause, your treatment may include:
- Custom night guards or an oral appliance to reduce pressure and grinding.
- Physical therapy and jaw exercises to restore mobility and strengthen supportive muscles.
- Bite adjustments or orthodontic treatments to correct alignment and relieve tension.
- Muscle relaxant therapy to ease tightness and pain.
- Stress management strategies to minimize jaw clenching and prevent flare-ups.
Book a Dental Visit in Greeley, CO
If your jaw clicks, pops, or locks, schedule a visit with Dr. Alan Baughman at Clearwater Dentistry. We are always accepting new patients!
To book an appointment at our dental office in Greeley, CO, call (970) 515-3550 or visit us at 3110 67th Ave Pl, Greeley, CO.
FAQs
A click when eating or yawning means the disc inside your joint is shifting out of place and snapping back as your mouth moves. This happens because the muscles and ligaments guiding your jaw aren’t aligned properly.
Mild jaw clicking from temporary tension might fade, but persistent or painful clicking rarely disappears without treatment. Once the disc starts slipping, stress keeps the cycle going. Professional care, such as physical therapy, night guards, or jaw exercises, can help restore balance and prevent further damage.
Frequent clicking is often an early indicator of temporomandibular disorders. The joint is under strain, and without proper care, that imbalance can lead to inflammation, stiffness, or bite misalignment.
Clearwater Dentistry in Greeley, CO offers TMJ evaluations and personalized treatment options to relieve jaw pain, reduce clicking, and restore comfortable movement.
