Jaw clicking and popping can result from excessive gum chewing, trauma, dislocation, or even the start of dysfunction in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Overuse of the jaw joint or muscles, grinding teeth during sleep, and normal wear and tear over time can contribute to jaw clicking or TMD/TMJ disorder.
TMD/TMJ Disorder
The TMJ allows the jaw to open, close, and move side to side. When an issue like jaw clicking occurs, it can be uncomfortable when trying to enjoy everyday activities, like chewing, speaking, singing, or laughing.
Jaw clicking and popping may or may not indicate a serious underlying issue, so it’s best to get your jaw issues checked out. If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, we recommend scheduling a visit with our team at Spring Lake Oral Surgery for a consultation about treatment for TMJ dysfunction:
- Tenderness, tiredness, or stiffness in the jaw
- Locking of the jaw
- Difficulty chewing
- Pain when speaking
- Frequent headaches, neck aches, or earaches
How to Stop Jaw Clicking
After we evaluate your health history and the physical problems of your jaw at your appointment, we can design a custom treatment plan that is specific for your jaw issues. However, until then, you can try stress reduction techniques (such as yoga, meditation, and deep breathing), light neck stretches, abstaining from chewing gum, rotating between ice and heat packs, drinking plenty of water, and eating soft foods.
TMJ Treatment in Spring Lake, NC
If your quality of life is diminished by jaw pain, please schedule an appointment at Spring Lake Oral Surgery! In addition to therapy for TMJ issues, we offer a variety of dental services, including dental implants, full and partial dentures, implant-supported dentures, wisdom teeth removal and other tooth extractions, sleep apnea treatment, and dental sedation.
Jaw clicking image from Authority Dental under CC 2.0