Guide · Jaw & bite
Jaw clicking: harmless or a reason to get it checked?
Why the jaw joint clicks, when it is harmless and which signs mean you should have it examined.
Dr. med. dent. Bodo S. von GadomskiDentist · Founder of the CMD-Klinik
Contents · 9 questions
A clicking jaw joint alarms many people because the sound comes from right next to the ear. Usually it is harmless. Here you can read how to assess it and when an examination makes sense.
Why does my jaw click?
In shortUsually because the small cartilage disc in the jaw joint briefly slips when you open your mouth and snaps back as you open further. Overloaded muscles can also guide the joint unevenly.
In the jaw joint, a cartilage disc sits between the condyle and the base of the skull. It glides along with every movement. If it is slightly displaced, it audibly snaps back when you open or close. This clicking is very common.
- clenching and grinding that put constant strain on the joint
- tense jaw muscles that guide the lower jaw unevenly
- opening very wide, for example when yawning or taking big bites
- hypermobility of the joint
Is jaw clicking dangerous?
In shortIn most cases, no. Clicking without pain and without restricted mouth opening does not need treatment.
The sound seems loud because the jaw joint is right in front of the ear canal. The volume says little about the health of the joint. What matters is whether pain, restrictions or other symptoms come with it.
Not every click needs therapy. Anyone recommending complex treatment for painless clicking without restriction should be able to justify it well.
When should I see a dentist about jaw clicking?
In shortIf pain develops, mouth opening is restricted, the jaw gets stuck, the joint grates instead of clicking or your bite changes.
- Pain in the joint, in front of the ear or in the jaw muscles
- Restricted mouth opening or the lower jaw deviating to one side
- Getting stuck: your mouth briefly will not open or close any further
- Grating or crunching in the joint instead of a short click
- A changed bite: your teeth suddenly fit together differently
- After an accident or a blow to the chin or face
- Additional symptoms such as headache, ear pressure or neck tension
If your mouth suddenly will not open or close at all (jaw lock), you need dental treatment immediately.
My jaw clicks when I chew and yawn. What should I do?
In shortGo easy on the joint: small bites, chew on both sides, limit opening when yawning, no chewing gum for hours. Keep your teeth apart at rest.
- cut firm food into small pieces, do not bite into a whole apple
- chew on both sides
- when yawning, press your tongue against the roof of your mouth or rest your hand lightly under your chin
- avoid chewing gum, nail-biting and chewing on pens
- apply warmth to the jaw muscles when they are tense
You will find gentle exercises for controlled mouth opening in the article Relieving CMD yourself.
My jaw clicks only on one side. What does that mean?
In shortThis is common and not automatically more serious. The slipping of the cartilage disc usually affects only one joint.
Check in the mirror whether your lower jaw deviates to one side when opening and whether that side hurts. One-sided clicking with pain or deviation should be examined; painless clicking not necessarily.
My jaw clicks and hurts. What is behind it?
In shortOften an overload of the jaw muscles and jaw joint, in other words CMD. An examination shows whether the muscles or the joint are more involved.
Pain and clicking together are a reason for functional diagnostics. Bite position, muscle activity and movement are measured. Treatment usually starts gently: relief, physiotherapy and, depending on the findings, a splint.
What else can be part of CMD: What are the symptoms of CMD?
What is the difference between clicking and grating?
In shortClicking is a short click, usually caused by the cartilage disc. Grating is a rough, crunching sound and can indicate changes to the joint surfaces. Grating should be examined.
A grating sound throughout the movement can be a sign of wear in the joint, for example osteoarthritis of the jaw joint. This is no reason to panic, but it is a reason for an examination.
Can you get rid of jaw clicking?
In shortNot always, and it is not always necessary. The aim of treatment is a pain-free, mobile joint, not necessarily a silent one.
When the muscles work in a more relaxed way and the joint is relieved, the clicking becomes quieter or less frequent for some people. For others it remains without causing problems. Nobody can seriously guarantee that the sound will disappear.
My jaw clicks in my ear. Does it have to do with the ear?
In shortUsually not. The jaw joint is right in front of the ear canal, which is why you hear the click “in your ear”. If ear pressure or ringing in the ears comes with it, it is worth having both sides examined.
For ear symptoms in CMD, an association is documented, not a cause. Ear symptoms therefore belong with an ENT specialist first. If nothing is found there, the jaw system can be assessed as well.
Sudden hearing loss or acute vertigo: see a doctor immediately.
More questions, already answered
Sources
- Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (DC/TMD), joint sounds and disc displacement
- Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (DC/TMD)
- Reviews on aetiology, chronification and posture, as cited on our pages for professionals
This article is for general information and does not replace a medical or dental assessment. A sound alone is not a diagnosis. If you have pain or restrictions, have the joint examined.
Does this match your symptoms?
The self-test gives you an initial assessment. Or call us: +41 44 888 99 44