What Is Jaw Popping?
Jaw popping is a common symptom of TMJ disorder. The temporomandibular joint is positioned on both sides of your face, immediately in front of your ears, and connects the jawbone to the skull by acting as a sliding hinge. It’s responsible for powering everyday activities like chewing and speaking.
With the help of the facial muscles, this joint allows movement of the lower jaw, side to side, up and down, as well as forward and backward.
When the joint is dysfunctional, though, it can temporarily and quickly slip out of – and back in – position causing the jaw to “pop”. Often, the disc that supports the jaw’s movement along the skull has either slipped out of place or become impinged, leaving the bones to rub up against each other. This typically occurs when eating, yawning or opening the mouth widely.
The amount of pain that accompanies jaw popping varies from person to person. At the very least, it can provide a great deal of discomfort. Popping can occur on one or both sides of the jaw.
Side Effects of Jaw Popping
Jaw joint dysfunction that leads to popping can set off a series of additional, unpleasant side effects. You might feel a dull ache around the joint that radiates to the ear and worsens when chewing or speaking. If you’re joint is constantly slipping in and out of place, you’re likely to experience:
- Difficulty chewing or pain while chewing
- Decreased range of mobility
- Facial pain or tenderness
- Jaw clicking
- Neck aches
- Headaches
- Ear fullness or ear aches
- Open or closed locked jaw
If your jaw pops every so often and you don’t experience any painful side effects, it might be safe to leave it alone as long as you practice healthy habits. However, if the popping becomes more frequent it would be wise to visit a TMJ specialist or trusted dentist to get ahead of the problem before it progresses.
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The Causes Of Jaw Popping
Jaw popping can occur due to a variety of factors that may be genetically inherited or the result of unhealthy habits or underlying conditions. Some of the common reasons a jaw might begin popping include:
Arthritis
Arthritis is a medical condition that can cause damage to the cartilage of the TMJ. Jaw popping can occur in those diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or osteoarthritis (OA). The disease restricts the jaw’s movements because of the lack of appropriate absorption in the joint socket. Contrary to popular belief, arthritis isn’t just for older folks – kids and teens may be diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.
Malocclusion Or Misaligned Bite
Malocclusion of the teeth can cause the jaw joint to overcompensate for the poor bite, especially when eating. This is a common cause of jaw popping. The joint may work in dysfunction when positioning the lower and top jaws to chew or speak effectively. Malocclusion may present itself as an overbite, an anterior or posterior open bite, underbite, or crowded teeth.
Disc Displacement Or Injury
As mentioned above, a disc that sits between the TMJ and the skull aids the movement of the jaw bone. Disc displacement can happen in many ways and isn’t too uncommon as people age. It might be the result of trauma to the head via injury, high-impact sports, car accident, or even a bad fall. It can also slip out of place or become jammed up through normal wear and tear. When the disc is misaligned, it can cause jaw popping, where the joint slips in and out of its proper place.
Oral Cancer
In very rare cases, oral cancers that produce tumors on or near the jaw can create pressure near the TMJ and cause jaw popping. Some of the symptoms of oral cancers include open sores on or in the mouth that don’t heal, fatigue, weight loss, and noticeable changes to the tissue on the neck or mouth. If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, consult a trusted local doctor or dentist as soon as possible.
10 Habits That Contribute To Jaw Popping
In addition to the circumstances that can initially cause jaw popping, there are unhealthy habits that many of us practice that can cause even more strain on the joints. Learning to avoid these can help alleviate some of your jaw pain and popping:
- Chewing gum
- Eating tough foods
- Biting your fingernails
- Chewing on ice
- Clenching or grinding your jaw
- Opening your mouth widely to yawn, yell, or sing
- Keeping the mouth open for extended periods
- Sleeping on your stomach or improper side sleeping
- Holding incorrect posture
- Dehydration; drinking an excess of caffeine or alcohol
Treatment Options
There are quite a few treatment options available for jaw popping, depending on the severity of the issue. We always recommend getting a second or third opinion on treatments that are more expensive or invasive.
Ice Or Heat Therapy
Ice and heat therapy may help to reduce inflammation and discomfort associated with a popping jaw. An ice application helps with numbing and pain relief, while heat allows the muscles to relax and rest. A facial ice pack that rests on the jaw joint should have a positive effect within 10-15 minutes. Use heat before bed to help destress muscles and reduce the likelihood of clenching throughout the night.
Dental Splint
There are many different splints, or dental devices, that a dentist might recommend you wear during the day to take some of the pressure off your jaw joints. One of these, known as a mandibular advancement splint, creates extra space around the jaw joint to increase the likelihood of recapturing a displaced disc.
Night Guard
A well-designed, custom night guard made by your dentist or orthodontist can not just help improve jaw popping, but your sleep as well. An effective night guard will prevent you from grinding or clenching, giving your masseter and jaw muscles a much-needed break to rest.
Braces Or Dental Work
If a bad bite is the major contributing factor to your TMJ pain, a dentist might recommend you see an orthodontist for an alignment plan. Braces are the most traditional way of moving teeth into a correct and harmonious position. Brands like Invisalign make it almost impossible for people to detect you have them on, making them a popular choice for late teens and adults.
Medication
If jaw popping is causing you a lot of pain or impacting your quality of life, over-the-counter or prescribed meds might be an effective treatment plan. A doctor or dentist may recommend an OTC anti-inflammatory (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen or Tylenol. They relax the jaw and give your muscles some time to recoup. Higher doses of NSAIDs, anti-anxiety medications, muscle relaxants, or antidepressants might be explored depending on your circumstances.
Injections For Pain Relief
Steroid or cortisone injections are typically administered to people suffering from myofascial pain syndrome. A licensed professional will inject the dose right into the jaw point. Masseter muscle botox is another popular alternative treatment option that can have a positive impact on pain reduction and range of movement.
Physical Therapy or Jaw Exercises
If you have frequent jaw popping, seeking out physical therapy through a dentist’s referral can help you to stretch the joint and restore normal muscle function to the jaw. The physical therapist will provide you with a list of exercises you can practice at home – daily, ideally – to maintain desired results.
Ultrasound
An ultrasound might be an effective treatment option if your case of TMJ responds well to heat therapy. A licensed tech will run the ultrasound wand along your skin near the jaw joint for a dedicated amount of time. The optimal outcome is increased range of jaw motion and less pain.
Surgery
Surgery is normally reserved as a last resort for those who have jaw popping. It should only be considered if all other alternatives and less invasive options have been explored because of the attached risks, although rare. The dentist or doctor helping you to identify the underlying problem and diagnosis will determine the type of jaw surgery required.
Living with TMJ and jaw popping can be a real bummer, there’s no doubt about it. There’s not always a permanent cure for the disorder, depending on your symptoms. However, staying educated and committed to self-care practices can help you maintain a higher quality of living. TMJ doesn’t have to – and shouldn’t – run your life.
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Disclaimer: This content is meant to be informational and educational only and is not medical advice. This content does not substitute consulting with a medical or dental professional. Living With TMJ makes no claims to diagnose illness or injury. If you have a medical concern, you should consult with your healthcare provider or seek treatment immediately. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking treatment because of something you read in this blog, on this website, or in linked resources.