Should I Seek Treatment For That Popping Sound in My Jaw?

Do you have clicking or popping in your jaw? If you suffer with clicking in the jaw with or without pain, it could be a form of Temporo-Mandibular Joint (TMJ) dysfunction. TMJ dysfunction is a disorder that affects the joint space where the jawbone (mandible) connects to the bone on either side of the head (temporal bone), right in front of the ear. If you gently place the tip of your index and middle finger in front of the ear and open and close your mouth, you can feel the joint moving.

There are many different functions for the temporomandibular joints, including allowing you to make facial expressions, talk and of course eat. Popping in the jaw can happen whenever one or both of these T-M joints is not moving or functioning correctly which commonly leads to an uneven and/or increased amount of stress on the disc that sits in the space where the lower jaw or mandible meets the temporal bone. This increased strain on the TMJ can result in a loss of smooth gliding of this disc that is seen in a normally functioning joint.

When this disc loses its' smooth movement it tends to get stuck during parts of the opening and closing of the jaw which results in a 'pop' you can hear and often feel.

If this incorrect movement of the disc results in irritation within the joint space, then the symptoms that may be experienced in addition to the popping or clicking include stiffness, aching, pain, headaches and even 'locking' of the jaw if the mouth is opened excessively wide such as when taking a bite out of an apple.

So the next question is, should I seek treatment for a 'popping jaw' that does not have pain associated with the clicking? Well, in short, you should seek an opinion at the very least just as you should have any condition you are concerned about checked out by a health care professional. Now having said that, whether or not it will be determined that you need actual care for the condition will depend on who you talk to about the problem and what their treatment philosophy is towards this particular condition.

Being a Chiropractor in Phoenix, Arizona who has worked with TMJ dysfunction for more than 15 years in conjunction with dental, medical and physical therapy professionals, I can tell you that unless there is a specific injury that led to the rapid onset of TMJ issues or a suspected pathological problem, I tend to not treat the jaw for clicking unless:

1. There is pain associated with the clicking in the jaw


2. There is an obvious misalignment of the joint or occlusion (lining up of upper and lower jaw) issue that I believe will not correct itself over time and will likely lead to pain and/or early deterioration of the joint


3. There is obvious myofascial (muscle tension) issues that again I believe will only continue to get worse over time and lead to bigger problems such as disc or cartilage damage

If and when I do begin treatment, I begin very conservatively assessing the tight muscles and alignment of the TMJ first; typically in conjunction with a qualified Phoenix dental professional who is adept in TMJ dysfunction and evaluation for the need of an orthotic device such as a splint to help relieve some TMJ pressure and restore proper alignment while treating the joint.