Jaw popping, a common symptom of temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD), is a condition where the movement of the jaw is affected. This can happen due to a number of reasons, TMD being one of them.
It is commonly described as the clicking or cracking sound when you yawn, chew, or speak. The articular disk in the cartilage dislocates itself and then comes back into its place. It could be a benign happening, but it could also be a sign of prolonged health issues in the jaw. Jaw clicking can be mild to severe.
A person can usually hear the jaw popping, which can be bothersome to other people while you’re eating. It is a point of concern if the popping is accompanied by sensations of pain.
Symptoms of Jaw Popping
Symptoms of jaw popping include:
- Minor pain in the jaws, ear, and temple (side of the head located behind the eye, forehead, and the ear)
- Light headache around the temple
- Improper mouth movement
- Jaw locking
- Continuous noises when there’s a movement in the jaw while eating, speaking, and yawning
- Neck pain
The intensity of pain depends on the movement of the jaw. Pain levels increase when they are under stress. Intense jaw popping can affect the overall health of the jaws.
Causes of Jaw Popping
There are a number of reasons why a jaw pops. Some of them are described below:
- Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMD): This is one of the most common causes of jaw popping since it is a problem of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), connecting the jawbone to the skull.
- Disc Displacement: The cartilage disc inside the TMJ tends to slip out of place. This causes a popping sound when you open or close your mouth.
- Misalignment: This is also known as malocclusion, which occurs when the upper teeth and lower teeth don’t align properly when you bite down.
- Injury: Trauma to the jaw can also be a cause of jaw popping because of facial dislocation or fracture.
- Muscle Strain: Teeth grinding, also known as bruxism, can strain the jaw muscles. This repetitive jaw movement can lead to jaw popping.
If the jaw popping persists, a medical professional should be consulted, and proper medications should be followed. Jaw popping sometimes reaches the extent where surgery is required.
When to Seek Medical Attention?
Usually, jaw popping goes away after some time, but if the intensity of the pain increases and there’s difficulty opening your mouth fully, medical attention should be sought.
Jaw popping not only affects the jaws, but the pain can go up through the head and neck if it reaches a certain level. The numbness of the pain can have a ringing effect in the ear.
You should seek medical attention if you feel persistent tenderness in the jaw and you cannot close it completely.
Changes in teeth alignment can also occur if jaw popping becomes persistent. This is a major sign of temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD), which requires immediate professional help.
To Sum It Up
Jaw popping is a condition that gets better over time with some lifestyle changes. However, it can sometimes reach up to a certain extent, where the requirement of medical attention becomes mandatory. If the symptoms worsen over time, you must seek immediate medical attention.
Contact Village Park Family Dentist of Cypress and consult about your jaw popping symptoms. You can request an appointment by calling (281) 376-4444.