Why does my jaw pop but doesnt hurt

Jaw clicking               

You may have noticed that when you are eating or when you yawn, your jaw clicks. The good news is that most of the time, there is really absolutely nothing at all to worry about. Jaw clicking is quite common and it may only occur sometimes or if when your jaw is really wide open. jaw clicking can only be on one side and sometimes on both sides. It usually isn’t painful but the noise of the click can be worrying. There are however instances when the jaw clicking together with other signs (such as locking, pain etc) can be problematic and you may need to do something about it. 

The proper biological name for the lower jaw is the mandible and maxilla for the upper jaw. The mandible is the portion that moves during eating, talking and swallowing. The jaw joint itself is located just in front of the skin flap immediately in front of the ear. You can feel the jaw joint moving easily by placing two fingers together and placing them just on the skin in front of the skin flap and opening/closing your mouth. The biological name for the jaw joint is known as The Temporomandibular joint. It’s quite a mouthful (the pun is not intended) to pronounce so it is abbreviated as the TMJ. The basic structure of the joint is much like other joints in that you have two bones separated by cartilage and synovial fluid fills the joint capsule. 

Symptoms to look out for 

As previously mentioned, if your TMJ clicks, that is not something you immediately need to do anything about unless if you also notice other signs, then you should get it evaluated by your dentist or an Orofacial pain specialist. These signs are if your jaw locks, pain around the joint area, unexplained ear ache if there is pain on opening or closing, if you get frequent headaches especially on waking up in the morning and if you notice you unconsciously grind your teeth or clench your jaw. Once you experience pain or spasm around your TMJ, this then becomes a reason to visit an Orofacial pain specialist. This condition is known as Temporomandibular joint dysfunction. Temporomandibular disorder or Temporomandibular syndrome and is frequently accompanied by clenching or grinding ( bruxism). Even if the pain is not that severe, bruxism can seriously damage and crack the enamel of your teeth until it completely wears down. Enamel of your teeth does not have the capacity to grow back so once the enamel has worn down it will never grow back. Once the enamel has disappeared, you are down to the underlying softer part of the tooth called dentin. If the clenching and grinding continues, the dentin will wear away much faster and before long, you will notice sensitivity as you get closer to the nerves inside your teeth. For certain, you will also definitely become aware of your teeth becoming shorter and flatter around the edges as they wear away. As your teeth become shorter this in itself places extra strain on your TMJ. 

Available treatment options 

The goal of any jaw pain or TMD treatment is to relieve the pain, restore normal function and to identify any underlying causes if present. Scientific evidence shows that non surgical conservative & reversible treatment options should be initiated first before considering any surgical options which are rarely needed. However, any clicking of the jaw will probably not go away (which is OK since clicking alone is not pathological).  Recommended treatment modalities are:

1. Physical medicine (physical therapy, home self care exercises, relaxation techniques, soft diet, heat/cold application etc)

2. TMJ orthotic (custom made night guard/splint specifically designed to unload the jaw joint)

3. Trigger point injection or dry needling to help alleviate painful tight muscles.

4. Short term anti-inflammatory or muscle relaxants if indicated.

5. Jaw joint injection or lavage if needed.

6. Jaw joint surgery (last resort option)

So in summary, there is no need to worry if your jaw clicks. If however there is pain, difficulty chewing/dysfunction or evidence of a clenching or grinding habit, then it should be evaluated by an Orofacial pain specialist. 

References:

1. Chantaracherd P, John MT, Hodges JS, Schiffman EL. Temporomandibular joint disorders’ impact on pain, function, and disability. J Dent Res. 2015;94(3 Suppl):79S–86S. doi:10.1177/0022034514565793 

2. Butts, Raymond et al. Conservative management of temporomandibular dysfunction: A literature review with implications for clinical practice guidelines (Narrative review part 2) Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, Volume 21, Issue 3, 541 – 548

If you live in the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area, I invite you to make an appointment for a consultation at my office (/contact). We are thorough, compassionate and have many tools at our disposal to help.

If you are located outside the Dallas-Fort Worth area, you can find a practitioner in near you on the website of The American Academy of Orofacial Pain. Choose a doctor who is listed as Diplomate.

Dr. Amrittej Virk is a Board Certified  Orofacial Pain Specialist. His practice focuses on TMJ disorders, facial pain, persistent toothache pain, headaches and sleep related breathing disorders. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Orofacial Pain and a Fellow of The American Academy of Orofacial Pain. (read more https://dallastmjdr.com/meet-our-doctors/)

The human body can come with plenty of random quirks. Shoutout to anyone who’s captivated friends by rolling the tip of their tongue into a tiny W. Being able to “pop” your jaw when you open your mouth wide is another interesting physical oddity, but if you’ve ever done this, you know it can just feel...wrong. Shouldn’t we leave jaw-unhinging to snakes? Here’s how to know if your ability to pop your jaw is just an interesting party trick, or if it’s a sign of something more serious.

You can thank the temporomandibular joints (TMJ) on the side of your head for that not-so-lovely jaw pop.

You have a temporomandibular joint in front of each ear to bridge the gap between your jawbone and your skull, according to the Mayo Clinic. These joints act as hinges that allow you to belt out Ariana Grande’s latest at karaoke, devour your “lunch” at 11 A.M. because your stomach commanded it, and do anything else that requires opening your mouth.

These joints are pretty unique in that they’re not only able to open and close—they can slide back and forth and side to side, according to Merck Manuals, making them some of the most complex joints in your body. But sometimes your temporomandibular joints can get a little wonky, leading to a popping or clicking noise and sensation when you open your mouth wide. Luckily, this isn’t always a problem.

Being able to pop or click your jaw is really only an issue if it causes you pain or uncomfortable symptoms like jaw stiffness.

If it does, you may be dealing with a jaw condition that falls under a broader category known as TMJ disorders (or temporomandibular joint and muscle disorders). Painful clicking or popping when you open and close your mouth is one of the biggest symptoms, according to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR), but you can also have jaw stiffness, trouble opening your mouth, feeling like your jaw is “locking,” a change in the way your upper and lower teeth fit together, and general jaw pain.

Although the cause of TMJ disorders isn’t always apparent, sometimes it comes down to an issue with a cartilage disc inside each of the joints, Erich Voigt, M.D., an otolaryngologist (ear, nose, and throat doctor) at NYU Langone Health, tells SELF. These are called articular discs, and as slippery pieces of tissue, they are supposed to prevent your skull and jawbone from grinding against each other, according to Merck Manuals.

For instance, pain when you pop your jaw can be a sign that one or both of your articular discs have been pushed forward from their usual location so they can’t fully do their job, Helen Giannakopoulos, D.D.S., M.D., director of the Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Residency Program at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, tells SELF. This is a form of what’s known as internal temporomandibular joint derangement, and it can happen due to habits like clenching and grinding your teeth severely or chewing gum to the point where you regularly exhaust your jaw, she explains.