Jaw Clicking, Popping and Locking: When Should You Worry?

A click or pop from your jaw when you yawn or chew can be startling, especially if you can hear it or feel it in your ear. The good news is that jaw clicking is very common and, on its own, usually harmless. What matters is whether it comes with pain, catching or locking. This guide explains why the jaw clicks, which signs need attention, and what you can do about it.

How the jaw joint works

You have two temporomandibular joints (TMJs), one in front of each ear, where the lower jaw meets the skull. Each joint has a small, flexible disc of cartilage between the bones that cushions movement. When you open your mouth wide, the jaw both rotates and slides forward, and the disc moves with it.

The joint is moved by several muscles, including the masseter at the angle of the jaw and the temporalis at the temple. If these muscles are tight or the disc is slightly out of position, the joint may not move smoothly.

Why does the jaw click or pop?

The most common reason is that the disc sits slightly forward of its usual position when the mouth is closed. As you open, the jaw slides under it and the disc pops back into place, causing a click. As you close, it may slip forward again, causing a second, softer click. This is called disc displacement with reduction, because the disc “reduces”, or returns to place, during movement.

Other causes include:

• Tight or overworked jaw muscles, from clenching, grinding or stress
• Opening very wide, such as yawning or biting into a large sandwich
• Changes in the joint surfaces, including wear and arthritis, which may cause grinding or grating sounds
• An old injury to the jaw or chin

Is clicking without pain a problem?

Usually not. Clicking or popping without pain or limited movement is common, and the U.S. National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research describes it as normal and not needing treatment. Many people click for years without it ever getting worse.

It is still worth mentioning at your next dental visit, so your dentist can note it and check the joint over time.

When jaw clicking needs attention

Book a dental assessment if clicking comes with:

• Pain in the jaw, face, temple or ear
• Headaches, especially in the morning
• A feeling of the jaw catching or briefly sticking
• Difficulty opening fully, or the jaw moving to one side when it opens
• A change in how your teeth fit together
• Clicking that has suddenly become louder or more frequent

Our guide to TMJ disorders and jaw pain explains the wider group of jaw problems in more detail.

What does jaw locking mean?

Closed lock

If the disc slips forward and does not pop back, it can block the jaw from opening fully. People often notice that a click they had for months suddenly stops, and the jaw will open only partway. Contact a dentist promptly. Many closed locks improve with conservative care, especially if treated early.

Open lock

Rarely, the jaw gets stuck open after a wide yawn or a long dental appointment and will not close. This needs prompt care. Go to a dental office or hospital emergency department, and do not try to force the jaw closed.

Does jaw clicking get worse over time?

For most people it does not. Long-term studies of jaw clicking show that many people click for years with no change, and some find it fades on its own. A smaller number go on to develop pain or catching. That is why the advice is to watch for changes rather than to treat painless clicking: new pain, catching, a shorter opening or a change in your bite are the signals to have it checked.

Self-care that helps

Most clicking and mild jaw discomfort improve with simple, reversible steps:

• Rest the jaw. Choose softer foods for a while, cut food into small pieces and avoid chewing gum, tough meats and very chewy snacks.
• Avoid opening very wide. Support your chin with your hand when you yawn.
• Keep teeth apart. At rest, your lips should be together and your teeth slightly apart, with your tongue resting gently on the roof of your mouth.
• Notice clenching. Many people clench while concentrating, driving or using a phone. Set reminders to relax your jaw.
• Apply warmth or cold. A warm compress can relax tight muscles; a cold pack can help a sore, inflamed area.
• Massage tight muscles gently. Our article on TMJ massage for jaw tension explains how.
• Look after sleep and stress, since both strongly affect clenching.
• Use an over-the-counter pain reliever if needed, following the label and advice from your pharmacist or doctor.

What a dentist checks

A jaw assessment usually includes:

• Questions about when the clicking started, pain, headaches, locking, clenching, grinding and stress
• Watching and measuring how far and how straight your jaw opens
• Listening to and feeling the joints as you move
• Pressing gently on the jaw and neck muscles to find tender areas
• Checking your teeth for wear, cracks and how your bite fits
• Imaging when needed, such as X-rays, and occasionally a referral for an MRI to look at the disc

Clicking after dental work or a long appointment

Holding your mouth open for a long dental appointment can strain the jaw muscles and joints, and some people notice clicking or soreness afterwards. Rest, soft foods and warmth usually help within a few days. Tell your dental team before future appointments, so they can plan breaks and use a bite block to support your jaw. If a new filling or crown makes your bite feel high, contact your dentist, since an uneven bite can strain the jaw.

Jaw clicking in children and teens

Clicking is also common in children and teens, especially during growth spurts and orthodontic treatment. Painless clicking usually does not need treatment. Mention it to your child’s dentist or orthodontist if it comes with pain, headaches, limited opening or locking, or if your child grinds or clenches.

Treatment options

Experts generally recommend starting with conservative, reversible care and avoiding treatments that permanently change the teeth, bite or joints unless there is a clear reason. Options may include:

• Self-care and habit changes, as above
• A night guard or splint if clenching or grinding is part of the problem. See how to clean a night guard for daily care.
• Jaw exercises, often guided by a physiotherapist
• Massage and other manual therapy for tight muscles
• Short-term medication for pain or inflammation, guided by your dentist or physician
• Referral to a specialist for persistent or severe joint problems

Be cautious about treatments that permanently grind down teeth or rebuild the bite to treat clicking alone. The evidence for these is limited, and they cannot be undone. If one is recommended, ask why, what the alternatives are and consider a second opinion.

Jaw care at Regal Heights

At our St. Clair West office, jaw care starts with a careful assessment of the joints, muscles, teeth and bite, followed by conservative steps first. Where helpful, care can be coordinated with complementary practitioners. Learn more about our jaw rehabilitation and TMJ care, or book an appointment if your jaw is clicking with pain or catching.