Jaw clicking is very common, and if it doesn’t hurt, doesn’t lock and isn’t getting worse, it usually needs no treatment. It is worth looking into when pain, limited opening or locking come with it. Below we explain what happens in the joint when it clicks, what each situation means, and when to see a dentist, an oral surgeon or a physiotherapist.
Why does the jaw click?
The jaw joint has a small disc sitting between the head of the jawbone and the skull, and it glides forward with the jaw when you open your mouth. The most common click happens when this disc sits a little further forward than usual: on opening it “pops” back into place, and on closing it slips forward again. Dentists call this disc displacement with reduction.
Clicking and popping can also come from:
- uneven work of the chewing muscles, for example if you chew more on one side
- clenching or grinding, which overloads the joint
- opening very wide (yawning, big bites), or loose ligaments
- in older age, with joint wear, more of a grating, “sandy” sound
The sound alone says little. Many people have a clicking jaw for years and never have a problem with it. The question is what comes with it.
Which kind of click is which?
It clicks, but doesn’t hurt, and your mouth opens normally
This is the most common situation and usually harmless. It doesn’t need to be “put back”, and there is nothing to fear. It is worth avoiding things that load the joint further: chewing gum, very hard food, clenching. If it bothers you, an opinion from a dentist or physio can be reassuring, but nothing is urgent.
It clicks and hurts, or your jaw feels tired
Here the joint or the chewing muscles are irritated as well as clicking. Now it is worth doing something: rest the joint, let go of clenching, and if it hasn’t improved in two or three weeks, have a dental check and physiotherapy. We cover the causes and symptoms in detail in our article on jaw pain.
It used to click, now it doesn’t, but your mouth won’t open properly
This is the warning sign. If the click has stopped and at the same time your opening has suddenly become limited (instead of the usual three fingers or so, only two or fewer fit stacked between your teeth), the disc has probably stopped popping back into place. This is called a closed lock. The sooner a dentist or oral surgeon sees it, the better the chances of a gentle solution.
It sometimes catches, and you have to wiggle it to open
If your mouth catches on the way open and only opens further after you shift it to one side or after a big click, that also deserves an examination. It is not an emergency, but don’t wait until it locks completely.
Don’t wait with these
Get medical help promptly (out-of-hours service, oral surgery) if:
- you cannot close your mouth: the jaw has dislocated. Don’t try to force it back.
- your mouth suddenly opens very little, and it doesn’t ease
- it started clicking or hurting after a blow or a fall, or your bite has shifted
- there is swelling, fever, or strong, throbbing pain over the joint
If your jaw hurts together with chest pressure or shortness of breath, call 112.
What should you do if your jaw clicks?
- Don’t click it on purpose. Many people test it dozens of times a day to see if it still clicks; that only irritates the joint.
- Open slowly, in the middle. Watch in a mirror whether your mouth opens straight or drifts to one side. The drift often starts just before the click.
- Tongue on the roof of your mouth. With the tip of your tongue resting just behind your upper front teeth, the mouth opens in a smaller, more controlled arc.
- Smaller bites, less chewing gum, and support your chin when you yawn.
- Let go of clenching during the day: at rest, your teeth should not touch.
Our article on jaw exercises shows a few gentle exercises for practising controlled opening. If an exercise causes pain or locking, stop.
Who can help if the clicking bothers you?
Dentist, oral surgeon or TMJ specialist dentist (gnathologist): finds out what is behind the click, checks your bite, and if you also grind at night, can make an occlusal splint. For locking or dislocation, they are the first stop.
Physiotherapist: helps by releasing the chewing and neck muscles, practising controlled, straight opening, and changing habits. The aim is not necessarily to make the click disappear completely (that doesn’t always happen, and it isn’t always needed), but for the jaw to not hurt, not lock, and let you chew, talk and yawn normally.
Jaw problems at MozgásKlinika Újlipótváros
We are at Váci út 28, opposite Westend. If your jaw hurts, catches or won’t open properly, book jaw manual therapy: the first visit is a 50-minute jaw joint assessment (24,990 HUF). If you should see a dentist first, we will tell you. Questions? Call us on +36 30 790 6270.
Frequently asked questions
My jaw clicks but doesn’t hurt. Should I do anything?
Usually not. Painless clicking, when your mouth opens normally and it isn’t getting worse, is common and mostly harmless. Avoid chewing gum and clenching, and keep an eye on whether it changes.
Can the clicking be stopped?
Sometimes, but not always, and that isn’t the main goal. Treatment aims for a joint that doesn’t hurt or lock and opens freely. For many people the click stays but no longer causes a problem.
What is the difference between clicking and locking?
With clicking, the mouth does open fully in the end, just with a sound. With locking, opening catches or becomes limited. If the clicking stopped suddenly and your mouth hasn’t opened properly since, see a dentist or oral surgeon soon.
Does it happen in children too?
It does, but MozgásKlinika Újlipótváros treats patients aged 18 and over. For a child, the dentist or paediatric dentist is the right first step.
A clicking jaw is usually nothing to worry about. If pain, locking or limited opening come with it, don’t wait: an early examination and the right exercises can help a lot.
