Jaw popping signifies a clicking sound that comes from overextending the jaw. For instance, when you open your mouth while eating or yawning. However, in some cases, jaw popping and locking results due to the temporomandibular joints (TMJ or the joints connecting our jawbone to each side of the skull) not functioning properly.
Simply put, when the ‘hinge action’ of the joint does not function properly, you may hear clicking sounds in the jaw while you talk, yawn, or chew food.
Why Jaw Popping Occurs
Commonly, people experience jaw locking or popping when we:
● Bite our lips or cheeks
● Clench our jaw
● Bite our fingernails
● Chew gum frequently
● Grind our teeth
● Thrust the jaw out
Any one of the above-mentioned behaviours wears out the TMJ joints, naturally leading to erosion.
Popping sounds aren’t a cause for concern if you don’t experience any pain with them. However, the causes for those popping sounds can always lead to a condition that might need medical attention. The following are some examples of such conditions:
Dislocated or Broken Jaw
If you’ve injured yourself recently, chances are that you might have dislocated or broken your jaw. Dislocation refers to when the TMJ gets unhinged from its socket. This would typically occur due to:
● A sports injury
● Common slip and fall
● Being physically assaulted in the face
● Industrial accidents
● Vehicle accidents
You may have broken your jaw if you experience numbness, swelling, bleeding, or bruising around the jaw.
Infection
When our salivary glands get infected, our symptoms might lead to jaw popping and TMD disorder. An infection may reside in:
● Sublingual glands found above the tongue
● Sublingual glands right below the jawbone
● Parotid glands right inside the cheek
If you have an infection, you might find it difficult to open your mouth, which will result in jaw popping. These infections should be treated as soon as they are discovered.
Arthritis
Yes, arthritis can also damage the cartilage of your temporomandibular joints and cause pain in the jaw and ear. Both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis have been known to cause this problem. In either case, the loss of cartilage in the TMJ results in the joint socket failing to absorb jaw movements effectively.
Some other symptoms of osteoarthritis include stiffness in the body, jaw pain, and limited range of motion. On the other hand, patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis might even experience tiredness, loss of appetite and anemia.
Myofascial Pain Syndrome
MPS results in chronic pain in one area of the musculoskeletal system. If it occurs in the jaw, it will not only cause jaw pain but also cause the jaw to lock and pop.
People who experience MPS tend to have sensitive spots, also called trigger points. When pressure is applied to these pressure points, the individual will experience:
● Pain that just gets worse with stretching or straining the muscle
● Sleep and mood disturbances
● Muscle pain
● Pain that continues for over a week
● Limited range of motion
Malocclusion
This condition occurs due to the misalignment of the teeth and can cause the jaw to lock or make popping sounds. You may have previously heard of malocclusion as crowded teeth, open bite, underbite, overbite, or crossbite.
Other common symptoms of malocclusion include:
● Speech problems
● Discomfort while biting or chewing
● A change in facial appearance
● Mouth breathing
● Biting tongue or inner cheeks more frequently
Typically, misalignment can be treated with professional orthodontic or braces.
How to Fix a Locked Jaw
Your TMJ dentist might prescribe simple remedies to try at home to alleviate your jaw pain and symptoms. Some common remedies include:
● Practicing TMJ exercises
● Wearing a splint or night guard
● Applying moist heat or ice packs to the affected area
● Taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs including muscle relaxants, antidepressants, aspirin and ibuprofen.
Your dental specialist might also recommend that you undergo specific medical treatments, including:
● Ultrasounds
● Jaw corrective treatments
● Injections at trigger points
● Stimulating nerves with electrical impulses (TENS)
Often, doctors may even recommend surgery, although it is only suggested as a last resort if alternative treatments are unsuccessful. Some examples of surgeries include:
● Using small instruments to repair the joint (arthroscopy)
● Repairing or replacing the joint through open-joint surgery
● Removing some fluid from inside the joint (arthrocentesis)
Final Thoughts
TMJ jaw pain is a painful condition and if you’re experiencing any of the above symptoms, you should consult a dental specialist right away.
Although there is no scientific evidence to prove the fact, it seems that women are more likely to experience TMJ jaw lock or jaw pain. Studies suggest that these symptoms are commonly prevalent in women that are aged between 30 to 50 years of age.
With that being said, most dental experts are of the opinion that anyone, regardless of their age or sex can experience TMJ or jaw popping.
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