A jaw that clicks, pops, snaps, or feels like it “catches” can be equal parts annoying and unsettling. For some people it’s a harmless quirk that comes and goes. For others, it’s the first sign of a problem that can spiral into headaches, facial pain, tooth wear, or trouble chewing. The tricky part is that jaw sounds don’t always match jaw damage—some loud clicks are mild, and some quiet jaws are struggling.

If you’ve ever opened wide to yawn and heard a pop near your ear, or felt your jaw shift when you chew, you’re not alone. Jaw noises are common, and they tend to show up during life stages or habits that put extra load on the jaw joint—stressful work weeks, clenching at night, orthodontic changes, dental work, or even just a habit of gum chewing.

This guide breaks down what’s happening inside the jaw when it clicks, the most common causes (from simple muscle tension to TMJ disorders), and the signs that mean it’s time to get checked. Along the way, you’ll also learn what you can try at home, what a dental professional can evaluate, and why gum health and bite health are more connected to jaw comfort than most people realize.

The jaw joint in plain language: why it can make noise

Your jaw joint is called the temporomandibular joint, or TMJ. You have one on each side of your face, right in front of your ears. It’s one of the busiest joints in your body—talking, chewing, swallowing, yawning, singing, laughing… it’s always on duty.

What makes the TMJ special is that it doesn’t just hinge open and shut like a door. It both rotates and glides. Inside the joint is a small cartilage disc that acts like a cushion and helps the jaw move smoothly. When that disc doesn’t track perfectly, or when the muscles around the joint are tight or overworked, you can get clicks, pops, or a crunchy “gravel” sound.

Noise alone doesn’t automatically mean danger. Think of it like a knee that cracks when you stand up—sometimes it’s just a pressure change or a tendon shifting. The question is whether the noise comes with pain, limited movement, locking, or changes in your bite.

Different jaw sounds and what they often mean

A single click when opening (or closing)

A distinct click—especially one that happens at the same point every time you open—often relates to the disc inside the TMJ moving slightly out of place and then snapping back into position. This is commonly described as a “disc displacement with reduction,” meaning the disc is displaced but returns during movement.

Many people live with this for years without major issues. However, it can be a sign that the joint is under strain. If stress, clenching, or bite changes continue, that click can evolve into pain or a more stubborn joint problem.

Pay attention to patterns: does the click show up after a long day, during stressful weeks, or after chewing something tough? That timing can hint at muscle overuse rather than structural damage.

A pop that feels like a shift near the ear

A pop can feel bigger than a click—like the jaw “jumped” slightly. This can still be disc-related, but it may also involve ligaments and joint surfaces moving under load. Some people describe it as a momentary release of pressure.

Popping can happen when you open wide (like at the dentist or during a yawn). If your jaw opens very wide and the joint is lax or the muscles aren’t coordinating well, the joint can glide more than it should, creating a pop.

If a pop is followed by soreness, stiffness, or a feeling that your bite is “off,” it’s worth taking seriously. Those are clues that your TMJ is being stressed, not just making noise.

Grinding, crunching, or “sandpaper” sounds

A gritty sound (often called crepitus) can be associated with changes to the joint surfaces—think inflammation, wear, or arthritic changes. It doesn’t automatically mean severe arthritis, but it does suggest the joint isn’t gliding as smoothly as it should.

Crepitus tends to be more concerning when it comes with pain, swelling, or reduced range of motion. It may also show up alongside other joint issues in the body.

Because this kind of sound can relate to joint surface changes, it’s one of the situations where a professional evaluation can be especially helpful, even if symptoms are mild.

Thuds, clunks, or a jaw that “catches”

A clunk or catch can feel like the jaw hesitates and then releases. Some people describe a sense that the jaw is “not tracking straight.” That can happen when the disc is not coordinating with the jaw movement, when muscles are imbalanced, or when the bite is forcing the jaw into an awkward path.

Occasional catching can be minor, but frequent catching—especially if it’s getting worse—can be a sign the joint is struggling to move smoothly. This can sometimes progress toward locking episodes, where the jaw won’t open fully.

If you notice your jaw deviates to one side when you open, or if you need to “wiggle” to open wide, those details are important to mention during an exam.

The most common reasons jaws click or pop

Muscle tension from clenching or grinding

One of the most frequent drivers of jaw issues is muscle overload. If you clench during the day, grind at night, or hold tension in your face and neck, the muscles that control jaw movement can become tight and uncoordinated. When that happens, the joint can move less smoothly, and you may hear or feel clicks.

Clenching is sneaky because many people don’t realize they do it. A common clue is waking up with a tired jaw, headaches near the temples, or tooth sensitivity. Another clue is noticing your teeth touching when you’re focused—ideally, your teeth should be slightly apart at rest, with lips closed and tongue relaxed.

Even if the joint itself is healthy, overworked muscles can create joint noises. Addressing the clenching habit often reduces the clicking over time.

Disc displacement (the classic TMJ “click”)

The disc inside the TMJ is meant to sit between the jawbone and the skull, acting like a smooth pad. If it shifts forward or to the side, the jaw can click as it moves over the edge of the disc and then back into place.

This can happen after a long period of clenching, after trauma (like a hit to the jaw), or sometimes seemingly out of nowhere. It can also be influenced by joint laxity—some people naturally have looser ligaments, which can make the disc more likely to slip.

Disc displacement isn’t always painful at first. But if the disc stops reducing (meaning it doesn’t snap back into place), you can develop limited opening or a “locked” feeling.

Hypermobility and wide opening habits

Some jaws simply move more than average. If your joints are hypermobile, you might be able to open very wide, or your jaw might feel “double-jointed.” That extra glide can create popping, especially during wide yawns or big bites.

Hypermobility isn’t automatically a problem, but it can make the TMJ more sensitive to overuse. If you combine a naturally mobile joint with frequent gum chewing, nail biting, or stress clenching, the joint can start protesting.

A simple habit shift—avoiding extreme opening, cutting food into smaller bites, and supporting the jaw during yawns—can make a noticeable difference.

Bite changes, dental work, and uneven chewing

Your bite influences how your jaw joints and muscles coordinate. If one side of your mouth does more chewing, or if you’ve had recent dental work that subtly changes how your teeth meet, your jaw may adapt in ways that create noises.

This doesn’t mean dental work “causes” TMJ problems in a straightforward way, but changes in the bite can be one of the stressors that reveals an underlying muscle or joint imbalance. Orthodontic changes, new crowns, missing teeth, or worn teeth from grinding can all affect how the jaw tracks.

If your clicking started after a new filling or crown, or you feel like you can’t find a comfortable bite, that’s useful information. Often, small adjustments or a broader plan to stabilize the bite can reduce strain.

Inflammation inside the joint

Inflammation can come from overuse, injury, arthritis, or systemic inflammatory conditions. When the joint tissues are irritated, movement can become less smooth, and you might hear more noise. You may also feel warmth, tenderness, or aching near the ear.

Inflammation can be temporary—like after chewing tough food for hours—or it can be persistent. If it’s persistent, it’s important to figure out why, because ongoing inflammation can change how the joint surfaces function.

People sometimes confuse ear pain with TMJ pain because the joint is so close to the ear canal. If you’ve had “earaches” that don’t show an ear infection, the TMJ may be a suspect.

When jaw clicking is likely harmless (and when it isn’t)

Signs it’s probably low-risk

If your jaw clicks occasionally, doesn’t hurt, and you can open and close normally, it’s often not urgent. Many people experience intermittent clicking during stressful periods or after chewing something tough, and it settles when the muscles relax.

Another reassuring sign is when the sound is inconsistent—some days it’s there, other days it’s not—and there’s no change in your bite. That pattern often points to muscle tension rather than a structural joint problem.

Still, “low-risk” doesn’t mean “ignore forever.” It can be helpful to treat it as an early nudge to reduce strain, especially if you’re a clencher or you’re noticing more headaches.

Signs you should book an evaluation

If clicking or popping comes with pain, that’s your body asking for help. Pain can be in the joint area, in the muscles (cheeks/temples), or radiating into the neck and shoulders. Pain that increases with chewing or talking is especially relevant.

Another big red flag is limited opening or locking—either the jaw won’t open fully, or it gets stuck open or closed. Even if it unlocks quickly, that history matters.

Also take note of bite changes. If you suddenly feel like your teeth don’t fit together the same way, or you can’t find a comfortable resting bite, that can suggest joint swelling or disc changes.

Situations where you shouldn’t wait it out

Seek prompt care if you have jaw clicking after a significant injury (like a fall, sports impact, or car accident), especially if there’s swelling, bruising, or difficulty opening. Trauma can affect the joint, teeth, and surrounding bones.

If you have numbness, tingling, fever, or severe swelling, those symptoms may point to something beyond a typical TMJ issue and should be assessed quickly.

And if you’re dealing with persistent facial pain and headaches that are affecting sleep or daily function, you deserve a proper workup rather than guessing at home remedies.

How dentists and clinicians figure out what’s going on

The questions that matter more than you’d think

A good TMJ evaluation starts with your story. When did the clicking begin? Did it follow dental work, stress, orthodontic treatment, a new exercise routine, or an injury? Does it happen on one side or both? Does it appear in the morning (night grinding) or later in the day (daytime clenching)?

You’ll also be asked about headaches, neck pain, ear symptoms, and sleep quality. These can sound unrelated, but they’re often connected through muscle tension and clenching patterns.

Even habits like chewing gum, biting pens, nail biting, or holding your phone between your shoulder and ear can contribute. Tiny daily stressors add up in the jaw.

What the exam typically includes

During an exam, a clinician may feel the jaw joints while you open and close, listen for clicks, and check how wide you can open. They’ll often look for deviations (does your jaw shift to one side?), and they may palpate the chewing muscles and temples to see if they’re tender or overactive.

Your bite and tooth wear patterns matter too. Flattened teeth, tiny cracks, and gum recession can be clues that you’re grinding or clenching. Sometimes the jaw is clicking because it’s been compensating for an unstable bite for a long time.

Depending on the situation, imaging may be recommended. A standard dental X-ray can show teeth and bone levels; more advanced imaging (like CBCT or MRI) may be used when joint structure or disc position needs a closer look.

Why gum health can influence jaw comfort

It surprises people, but gum and bone support can affect how your teeth meet and how stable your bite feels. If periodontal disease has caused shifting teeth, mobility, or changes in bite contact, the jaw may work harder to find a comfortable position, and that extra effort can aggravate TMJ symptoms.

If you’ve noticed bleeding gums, bad breath that won’t quit, or teeth that feel like they’ve moved, it’s worth addressing those signs alongside the jaw clicking. Stabilizing the foundation of the teeth can reduce strain on the whole system.

For people who need help with gum disease, periodontal treatment in London ON can be part of a bigger plan to protect the bite, reduce inflammation, and support long-term oral comfort.

At-home steps that often calm a noisy jaw

Give your jaw a “soft diet” break

If your jaw is irritated, treat it like a sprained ankle: reduce the load. For a week or two, choose softer foods, cut things into smaller pieces, and avoid hard crusts, chewy meats, bagels, and gummy candy.

This doesn’t have to be extreme. Think: soups, eggs, fish, pasta, yogurt, smoothies, cooked vegetables. The goal is to reduce repetitive heavy chewing so the joint and muscles can settle.

If you notice the clicking decreases when you eat softer foods, that’s a strong hint that overuse is part of the story.

Heat, gentle stretching, and posture tweaks

Warmth can relax overworked muscles. A warm compress along the cheeks and temples for 10–15 minutes can help, especially in the evening when clenching tension tends to peak.

Gentle jaw stretches can be useful, but the keyword is gentle. Forcing the jaw open wide or repeatedly “testing” the click can make things worse. Slow, controlled opening in front of a mirror—watching for deviation—can help retrain movement patterns.

Posture matters more than most people expect. A forward head posture (common with laptop and phone use) changes how the jaw muscles and neck muscles coordinate. Small adjustments—screen at eye level, shoulders relaxed, chin slightly tucked—can reduce jaw strain over time.

Break the clenching loop during the day

Daytime clenching often happens during concentration, driving, or stress. A helpful cue is the “lips together, teeth apart” rule. Your tongue can rest lightly on the roof of your mouth just behind the front teeth, which encourages the jaw to relax.

Set a few reminders on your phone for a week and check in: are your teeth touching? Is your jaw tight? Are your shoulders up? This kind of awareness training sounds simple, but it’s surprisingly effective.

If your jaw clicking is linked to stress, pairing these cues with short breathing breaks can help reduce the overall muscle tone in your face and neck.

Professional options: what treatment can look like

Night guards and bite splints (and what they actually do)

Many people assume a night guard “fixes” the TMJ by moving the jaw into a perfect position. In reality, a properly made guard usually aims to protect teeth from grinding forces, reduce muscle overactivity, and create a more stable bite surface while you sleep.

Some people feel relief quickly, especially if morning jaw fatigue and headaches are major symptoms. Others need additional strategies, like stress reduction, physical therapy, or bite adjustments.

It’s important not to self-diagnose with an over-the-counter guard if symptoms are significant. Poorly fitting appliances can sometimes make clenching worse or change the bite in unhelpful ways.

Physical therapy and muscle-focused care

Jaw issues are often as much a muscle coordination problem as a joint problem. Physical therapy (sometimes with a clinician who has TMJ experience) can address neck posture, jaw movement patterns, trigger points in the chewing muscles, and breathing mechanics.

Therapy may include manual work, guided exercises, and strategies for reducing overload—especially for people who spend long hours at a desk or who have chronic neck tension.

When jaw clicking is driven by muscle imbalance, this approach can be a game-changer, even if the click doesn’t disappear entirely.

Dental adjustments, restorative planning, and orthodontic considerations

If your bite has changed due to worn teeth, missing teeth, or shifting, a dentist may talk through ways to stabilize the bite. Sometimes that’s as simple as adjusting a high spot on a restoration. Other times it involves a bigger plan: restoring worn surfaces, replacing missing teeth, or coordinating with orthodontics.

The goal isn’t to chase a “perfect bite” at all costs—it’s to create a comfortable, stable situation where your jaw muscles don’t have to constantly compensate.

If you’ve been living with jaw clicking for years and you’re seeing more tooth wear or sensitivity, it’s worth discussing the bigger picture rather than treating the click in isolation.

Jaw clicking and dental health: connections people miss

Tooth wear, fractures, and sensitivity

Grinding and clenching can flatten teeth, create tiny cracks, and make teeth more sensitive to cold. Sometimes the jaw click is the symptom you notice first, but the real damage is happening on the tooth surfaces.

If you’re seeing chips on the edges of your front teeth, or if your molars feel “rough” or uneven, those can be signs of heavy forces. Over time, that wear can change how your bite fits together, which can further stress the TMJ.

Protecting the teeth and reducing the muscle load often go hand in hand. It’s not just about comfort—it’s also about preventing expensive repairs later.

Gum recession and mobility

Clenching doesn’t only affect teeth—it can also contribute to gum recession and stress on the supporting bone, especially if there’s already inflammation from gum disease. When gums recede, teeth can feel longer, more sensitive, and sometimes slightly loose.

Loose or shifting teeth can change your bite contacts. And when the bite changes, the jaw may click more because it’s trying to find a stable path during chewing.

This is why a comprehensive dental exam can be so helpful: it looks at teeth, gums, bite, and function together rather than treating jaw clicking as a standalone mystery.

Why “just live with it” isn’t always the best advice

Some jaw clicks truly are benign, and if they’re painless and stable, they may never become a bigger issue. But if the click is getting more frequent, if pain is creeping in, or if your bite feels different, it’s worth getting ahead of it.

TMJ problems can be easier to manage early, when the main issue is muscle overload or mild disc tracking changes. Waiting until you have locking, chronic pain, or significant tooth wear can make treatment more complex.

Think of it like a check-engine light: sometimes it’s nothing urgent, but it’s still telling you something changed.

Choosing the right help in London: what to look for

A team that looks at function, not just symptoms

Jaw clicking can sit at the intersection of dentistry, muscle health, sleep quality, and stress. A helpful provider will ask about all of those areas and connect the dots instead of focusing only on the sound.

Look for a dental team that evaluates bite, tooth wear, gum health, and jaw movement together. Ideally, they’ll explain what they think is happening in a way you can understand, and they’ll offer a step-by-step plan rather than jumping to extreme solutions.

If you’re searching for a dental office in London to talk through jaw clicking, it can help to mention the exact symptoms you’re noticing—when it happens, whether there’s pain, and whether you’ve had any locking or bite changes.

Questions to ask at your appointment

Going in with a few questions can make the visit more productive. Ask what they think is driving the clicking (muscle tension, disc tracking, joint inflammation, bite instability), and what signs would indicate the issue is improving or worsening.

You can also ask whether a night guard is appropriate for your situation, and if so, what type and why. Not all appliances are the same, and the “why” matters.

Finally, ask what at-home habits will support the plan. The most successful outcomes usually involve both professional guidance and small daily changes.

How to track your symptoms like a pro (without obsessing)

It’s helpful to track a few simple things for two weeks: when the clicking happens, whether it hurts, and what you were doing around that time (stressful day, chewy meal, long meeting, poor sleep). This can reveal patterns quickly.

Also note your morning symptoms. If you wake up with jaw fatigue, headaches, or tooth soreness, nighttime grinding may be part of the picture.

Keep it light—just a few notes in your phone. The goal is clarity, not spiraling into constant self-checking.

When jaw clicking overlaps with headaches, ear symptoms, and sleep

Temple headaches and facial pain

The temporalis muscles (on the sides of your head) help close your jaw. When they’re overworked from clenching, they can refer pain that feels like a tension headache or migraine-like pressure.

People often treat these headaches with pain relievers without realizing the jaw is involved. If your headaches correlate with jaw soreness or tooth sensitivity, it’s worth exploring the connection.

Reducing clenching, improving posture, and protecting teeth at night can reduce these headaches for many people, even if the jaw still clicks occasionally.

Ear fullness, ringing, and “mystery ear pain”

Because the TMJ sits so close to the ear, inflammation or muscle tension around the joint can create sensations of ear pressure, fullness, or aching. Some people also report ringing (tinnitus) that seems to worsen during flare-ups.

These symptoms can have multiple causes, so it’s important not to assume it’s “just TMJ.” But if an ear exam is normal and the symptoms track with jaw use, the TMJ becomes a strong suspect.

In those cases, treating the jaw and muscle tension can sometimes reduce ear-related discomfort.

Sleep, airway, and nighttime grinding

Nighttime grinding is complex. Stress can play a role, but so can sleep quality and breathing patterns. Some people grind more when their sleep is fragmented or when they’re dealing with snoring or airway resistance.

If you suspect you grind at night and you also feel unrefreshed in the morning, it may be worth discussing sleep quality with a healthcare provider. A dental team can help protect your teeth and reduce jaw strain, but broader sleep factors sometimes need attention too.

Better sleep often equals a calmer jaw. It’s not magic—it’s physiology.

Small habits that protect your TMJ long-term

Chew evenly and avoid “one-sided living”

Many people unconsciously chew on one side, especially if they have a sensitive tooth or missing tooth on the other. Over time, one-sided chewing can overload one TMJ and one set of muscles, making clicking more likely on that side.

If it’s comfortable, try to alternate sides during meals. If it isn’t comfortable, that discomfort is useful information—there may be a dental reason you’ve been avoiding one side.

Addressing the reason (sensitivity, gum issues, bite interference) can help your jaw feel more balanced.

Support your jaw during yawns and long dental visits

Wide opening can trigger pops and strain, especially if your jaw is already irritated. When you feel a yawn coming, you can gently support your chin with your hand to limit extreme opening.

For dental appointments, it’s okay to ask for breaks if your jaw gets tired. Most dental teams are used to this, and small pauses can prevent a flare-up later.

If you’ve had jaw issues in the past, mentioning it before treatment helps the team plan positioning and breaks proactively.

Stay mindful of “micro-habits” that add up

Chewing ice, biting pens, holding tension in your jaw while reading emails, or resting your chin on your hand can all subtly load the TMJ. These habits don’t seem like much, but they can keep the joint irritated.

Pick one habit to change at a time. The goal isn’t perfection—it’s reducing the daily background stress your jaw is carrying.

Over weeks, those small changes can be the difference between an occasional click and an ongoing pain cycle.

If your jaw is clicking or popping, you don’t have to panic—but you also don’t have to guess. With the right mix of awareness, simple at-home support, and a thorough evaluation when needed, most people can get back to comfortable chewing, talking, and sleeping without constantly thinking about their jaw.