Why Does My Jaw Click or Pop?

You notice it when you bite into an apple or yawn at your desk. A click, a pop, maybe a little thud near your ear. Sometimes the person across the table hears it too. If it doesn't hurt, you're probably wondering whether you should worry at all.

Why does my jaw click?

Most jaw clicking comes from the small disc inside the jaw joint. Your temporomandibular joint (TMJ) sits just in front of each ear. A small, flexible disc sits between the ball of your jawbone and the socket of your skull. It helps the joint glide smoothly.

Sometimes that disc sits a little too far forward when your mouth is closed. As you open, the jawbone slides forward and catches up to the disc. The disc pops back into place, and you hear or feel a click. Doctors call this disc displacement with reduction. "With reduction" means the disc returns to its place as you open.

According to Mayo Clinic², TMJ problems can come from a disc that moves out of alignment or wears down. Arthritis, a blow to the jaw, and strained ligaments can also play a part². Our TMJ and jaw pain guide covers the full range of jaw problems.

Is jaw clicking normal?

Yes, when it doesn't hurt. According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR)¹, clicking or popping in the jaw joints without pain is common. It's considered normal and doesn't need treatment. Mayo Clinic agrees: if clicking comes with no pain or limited movement, you likely won't need treatment².

It's also very common. A 2013 research review found that a displaced disc affects about 18% to 35% of people in the general population³. A 2021 review found that clicking from a displaced disc was the most common jaw joint finding in adults, at about 26%⁴.

The long-term picture is reassuring too. The 2013 review described painless clicking as mostly a stable, lifelong condition³. Only a small minority of people go on to have a jaw that catches or locks³. The authors called it a "noisy annoyance" for most people³.

So if your jaw clicks but feels fine and opens fully, you can usually leave it alone.

What do different jaw sounds mean?

Not every jaw sound is the same. The type of sound, and what comes with it, gives useful clues. This table is a general guide, not a diagnosis.

When should jaw clicking be checked?

Clicking deserves a closer look when it brings other symptoms with it. Pain is the main dividing line. According to NIDCR¹, painful clicking, popping, or grating is a sign of a TMJ disorder (TMD).

Get an exam if you have:

• Clicking or popping that comes with pain in your jaw, face, or near your ear
• Jaw pain that keeps coming back, or happens when you chew²
• A jaw that feels stiff or won't open as wide as it used to^1,2
• A jaw that catches before it opens, even if it then opens
• A change in how your upper and lower teeth fit together¹

Headaches at the temples and neck tension often travel with TMD^2,6. For the full list, see TMJ symptoms: what a TMJ disorder feels like.

What if my jaw gets stuck?

Don't try to force a locked jaw back into place. Get medical or dental care. Learn more in jaw locking: what to do when your jaw gets stuck.

Jaw pain with chest pressure, shortness of breath, or a cold sweat can be a heart attack. Call 911.

What can you do about a clicking jaw?

If it doesn't hurt, you usually don't need to do anything. If it comes with pain or tightness, simple, reversible steps are the recommended place to start¹. Treatments that permanently change your teeth or bite aren't recommended and may make things worse¹.

Habits that ease the load on your jaw include^1,2,6:

• Eating softer foods for a while when your jaw is sore
• Cutting food into smaller bites instead of opening wide
• Skipping gum and not chewing pens, nails, or ice
• Noticing daytime clenching and letting your jaw relax, teeth slightly apart
• Using heat or cold on the sore area, along with gentle jaw exercises

Stress often shows up in the jaw. See what helps with daytime jaw clenching, and try these TMJ exercises you can do at home.

How a chiropractor can help

At Chiropractic Company, care for painful clicking focuses on the jaw and neck muscles, how the joints move, your comfort, and daily habits. Your doctor checks how your jaw opens and closes, how your neck moves, and where your muscles are tender. Care may include gentle muscle work, gentle joint movement, and jaw exercises.

We don't change your bite or realign your jaw. Your dentist handles night guards, bite concerns, and tooth problems. We're glad to work alongside them. Research on hands-on care for TMD is limited, but some studies show modest benefits, especially when paired with exercise. If you don't want an adjustment, say so, and your doctor won't. Learn more about our approach to TMJ and jaw pain.

Find out what's behind your jaw clicking

A clicking jaw is easy to ignore until it starts to hurt. Then every meal and every yawn becomes something you think about. You don't have to guess whether it's normal or something more.

We're here to help you find out. Chiropractic Company has cared for Greater Milwaukee since 1982, with 400,000+ patients, 1,400+ five-star Google reviews, and 20+ neighborhood clinics. We look for the cause of your jaw pain, not just the symptoms. If something needs a dentist or a medical doctor first, your doctor will tell you. Your care is designed around your condition, your medical history, your daily life, and your goals. You choose your care, and you see the same doctor as it continues.

Care is natural and drug-free. Treatment begins at your second visit, or the same day in acute cases if your doctor decides it's appropriate. Some plans add massage therapy for jaw and neck muscle tension at our Hales Corners and Oconomowoc clinics.

We're in-network with most insurance companies and accept Medicare. Eligible new patients can start with the $29 new-patient special, which includes a consultation, an exam, and X-rays if needed. *See offer terms.

Visit one of our 20+ neighborhood clinics across Greater Milwaukee: Milwaukee East, Milwaukee North, Milwaukee Third Ward, Shorewood, Glendale, Mequon, Cedarburg, Grafton, Germantown, Brookfield, Menomonee Falls, Waukesha, Oconomowoc, New Berlin, West Allis, West Allis North, Greenfield, Hales Corners, Franklin, Muskego, and Cudahy.

Frequently asked questions