Stop Jaw Clicking Forever: Proven Treatment Solutions
Jaw Clicking Treatment:
If you’ve noticed a clicking sound in your jaw when you chew, yawn, or open your mouth wide, you’re not alone. Jaw clicking is very common and often linked to the TMJ (temporomandibular joint) , the joint that connects your lower jaw to your skull.
Sometimes jaw clicking is harmless, but in other cases it can be a sign of a developing jaw joint problem that needs professional advice. In this blog, we’ll explain what causes jaw clicking, what TMJ problems feel like, and what treatment options may help.
If you’re looking for a dentist in Guildford Surrey to assess jaw pain or clicking, our team at Surrey Dental Practice can help.
What Is the TMJ?
TMJ stands for temporomandibular joint. You have one on each side of your jaw, just in front of your ears.
This joint works with muscles and ligaments to help you:
- chew and bite
- speak
- yawn
- open and close your mouth smoothly
Inside the joint, there’s a small disc that helps the jaw move comfortably. Clicking often happens when this disc is not moving perfectly in sync with the jaw.
Why Does My Jaw Click?
Jaw clicking can happen for a few reasons. The most common causes include:
Disc displacement (most common cause)
The joint disc can move slightly out of position. When your jaw opens, the disc may “pop” back into place , creating a clicking sound.
This is often called TMJ disc displacement with reduction.
Teeth grinding or clenching (bruxism)
Grinding your teeth (especially at night) puts extra strain on the jaw joint and muscles. This can lead to clicking, tightness, and pain.
Many people don’t realise they grind until a dentist notices signs such as:
- tooth wear
- cracks or chipping
- sensitivity
- jaw muscle tenderness
Muscle tension and stress
Stress can cause people to clench their jaw without noticing, especially during the day. This can overload the TMJ and create clicking or aching.
Bite changes or uneven pressure
If your bite is unbalanced (for example, after dental work, missing teeth, or shifting teeth), your jaw may move slightly differently, increasing joint strain.
Arthritis or joint inflammation
In some cases, jaw clicking is related to inflammation or wear-and-tear changes in the joint (more common with age or certain conditions).
Is Jaw Clicking Serious?
Not always.
Jaw clicking can be harmless if:
- it’s painless
- your jaw opens normally
- it doesn’t lock
- it’s not getting worse
However, it’s important to get checked if you have any of these warning signs:
When to see a dentist about jaw clicking
- pain in the jaw, face, or ear area
- headaches (especially in the temples)
- jaw locking open or closed
- difficulty opening wide
- chewing discomfort
- clicking that becomes louder or more frequent
- tenderness in jaw muscles
- tooth wear from grinding
If your jaw is clicking and painful, it’s likely a TMJ disorder (TMD) and may need treatment.
Other Symptoms of TMJ Problems (TMD)
TMJ disorders don’t always feel the same for everyone. Symptoms can include:
- clicking, popping, or grinding noises
- jaw pain or stiffness
- facial pain
- earache symptoms (without an ear infection)
- headaches or migraines
- pain when chewing
- a tired jaw (especially after eating)
- neck and shoulder tension
Some patients describe it as feeling like their bite is “off” or their jaw doesn’t sit comfortably.
What Can You Do at Home to Help Jaw Clicking?
For many patients, simple changes reduce symptoms significantly.
Try these for 2–3 weeks:
- Avoid chewing gum and hard foods
- Stick to softer foods if it’s sore
- Don’t force your jaw open wide
- Apply warm compresses to jaw muscles
- Practice gentle jaw relaxation (lips together, teeth apart)
- Reduce clenching during the day (set reminders if needed)
- Manage stress and improve sleep where possible
If symptoms don’t improve, it’s best to get assessed.
TMJ Treatment Options at the Dentist
At Surrey Dental Practice, we focus on conservative, evidence-based options first. Most TMJ issues improve without surgery.
1) TMJ assessment and diagnosis
We’ll examine:
- your jaw movement and joint sounds
- your bite and teeth wear
- muscle tenderness and tension
- signs of clenching/grinding
2) Night guard / bite splint for grinding
If grinding is a major cause, a custom night guard (occlusal splint) can help protect your teeth and reduce pressure on the TMJ.
This is especially useful if you wake up with:
- headaches
- tight jaw muscles
- sore teeth
3) Bite adjustment advice (only when appropriate)
If your bite is uneven due to a clear reason, we may recommend minor adjustments or a treatment plan to reduce stress on the joint.
4) Physiotherapy and jaw exercises
Some TMJ problems respond very well to:
- jaw stretching and strengthening exercises
- posture improvement
- massage techniques
- physio-led TMJ therapy
We can guide you on safe exercises or refer you if needed.
5) Pain relief and inflammation control
In short-term flare-ups, anti-inflammatory medication may help (if medically suitable for you). We can advise you but always follow GP/pharmacist guidance.
Can TMJ Clicking Go Away?
Yes in many cases, jaw clicking improves or disappears with:
- reducing clenching
- treating grinding
- muscle relaxation
- consistent night guard/ occlusal splint use (if needed)
Even if clicking remains, the goal is to keep the joint comfortable and prevent progression to locking or pain.
If your jaw symptoms continue despite a mouthguard and conservative treatment, we can arrange a referral to the Maxillofacial Department for specialist assessment and further investigations.
Following PDF Guide shows exercises that can help you to reduce pain.
https://www.surreydentalpractice.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/physiotherapy-management-of-temporomandibular-joint-pain_dec23.pdf
Jaw Clicking? We Can Help at Surrey Dental Practice
If you’re experiencing jaw clicking, jaw pain, or suspect grinding, we can assess your TMJ and guide you with a personalised treatment plan.
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FAQ's
Why does my jaw click when I chew?
Chewing takes your jaw through a wider range of motion than resting or speaking, which is often when a displaced TMJ disc becomes noticeable. As you open to bite down, the lower jaw can slide past the edge of the disc before it settles back into place, producing the click.
On its own, this isn't usually a cause for concern. It's worth getting checked if the clicking is new, is only on one side, or comes with soreness after eating, since that can point to an uneven bite or a grinding habit putting extra load on the joint.
Why does my jaw click on one side only?
One-sided clicking usually means the disc displacement is affecting that joint specifically rather than both. Common contributors include favouring one side when chewing, an old injury to that side of the jaw, or a bite that sits slightly uneven and puts more pressure on one TMJ than the other.
It can also follow dental work such as a crown or filling that's built a fraction too high. If it's been going on for a while, or the sound has changed recently, a bite assessment will usually identify whether one of these is the driver.
Why does my jaw click but doesn't hurt?
Painless clicking is common and, in a lot of cases, doesn't need active treatment. It usually means the disc is shifting out of position and back again without irritating the surrounding tissue or restricting movement, sometimes described as disc displacement with reduction.
Many patients live with this indefinitely and it never progresses. The reason to still get it looked at is to rule out anything that might change that: if the click becomes louder, less frequent, or is replaced by catching or locking, that's a sign the joint mechanics have shifted and it's worth a review before symptoms develop.
Why does my jaw lock when I open my mouth wide?
Locking is different from clicking and points to the disc getting stuck out of position rather than moving back and forth. This can happen briefly, where the jaw catches and then releases, or more persistently, where opening beyond a certain point isn't possible without discomfort.
It's more likely if clicking has been present for some time and progressively increases pressure on the joint. This is one of the symptoms we'd want to assess promptly rather than monitor, since ongoing locking can affect eating and speech and may need a referral to the Maxillofacial Department if conservative treatment doesn't resolve it.
Why does my jaw click when I talk or yawn?
Talking and yawning both push the jaw toward the wider end of its range, similar to chewing, which is why clicking often shows up during these movements before it's noticeable at rest. If it's occasional and painless, it's frequently just how that particular joint moves and doesn't need intervention.
If it's happening every time you yawn, is getting more frequent, or you're noticing jaw fatigue by the end of the day, that pattern is often linked to clenching or grinding, particularly overnight, and a night guard is usually the first thing we'd look at.