If you’ve ever opened your mouth to yawn, bite into a sandwich, or laugh at a friend’s joke and heard a little “click” (or even a louder “pop”) near your ear, you’re not alone. Jaw noises are surprisingly common, and for many people they come and go without causing major trouble. Still, it can feel unsettling—especially if the sound is new, getting louder, or paired with pain.
Most jaw sounds come from the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), the hinge-and-slide joint that connects your lower jaw to your skull. It’s one of the most complex joints in the body, which means there are a lot of moving parts that can fall out of sync. The good news: clicking doesn’t automatically mean something is “broken.” The not-so-fun news: persistent noises can be a clue that your jaw mechanics, muscles, bite, or habits need attention.
This guide breaks down what those clicks and pops usually mean, what causes them, and what you can do at home versus when it’s time to get a professional opinion. Along the way, you’ll learn how TMJ sounds relate to clenching, stress, arthritis, bite changes, and even dental work—and how to prevent a small annoyance from turning into a bigger issue.
What’s actually making the sound in your jaw?
When people say “my jaw clicks,” they’re usually describing a sound that happens right in front of the ear, where the TMJ sits. The TMJ isn’t a simple hinge like your elbow. It both rotates and glides. To make that smooth, your joint has a small cartilage disc (often called the articular disc) that acts like a cushion and helps the jaw move fluidly.
The “click” is often the disc moving out of place and then snapping back into position as you open or close. Think of it like a little belt slipping and catching. That snap can create an audible click or pop. Sometimes the sound is subtle; other times it’s loud enough that someone across the table can hear it.
It’s also possible for the sound to come from ligaments, joint surfaces, or muscle coordination issues. In other words: not every click is the disc—but the disc is a common culprit, especially when the noise is repeatable in the same spot of opening or closing.
TMJ basics: the disc, the muscles, and the “track” your jaw follows
To understand why the joint makes noise, it helps to picture how the TMJ works. The lower jaw (mandible) has a rounded end (condyle) that sits in a socket in the skull. Between them sits the disc. When you open your mouth, the condyle rotates and then glides forward along a bony slope. The disc is supposed to move with it, staying in the right place like a well-fitted cushion.
Your jaw muscles—especially the masseter, temporalis, and pterygoids—coordinate this movement. If one side pulls harder than the other, or if the disc isn’t tracking properly, the joint can “jump” or “snap.” That jump is often what you hear.
Small changes in bite, posture, stress levels, and even sleep habits can influence these muscles. That’s why jaw clicking can show up during a stressful season, after dental work, or when you’ve been chewing gum like it’s your job.
Different jaw noises and what they can suggest
A single click when opening (or closing)
A single, repeatable click on opening often points to disc displacement with reduction—meaning the disc is slightly out of position when your mouth is closed, but it “reduces” (pops back) into place as you open. If you also hear a click on closing, it can mean the disc slips out again as you shut your mouth.
Some people live with this for years with minimal discomfort. Others notice it gradually becomes more frequent or starts to feel “tight” in the mornings. Tracking when it happens—first bite of breakfast, wide yawns, chewy foods—can help identify what’s aggravating it.
If the click is painless and not worsening, it may not require aggressive treatment. But it’s still worth paying attention to, because disc issues can progress if the joint is continually overloaded.
A loud pop with a feeling of shifting
A “pop” can be a more dramatic version of the same disc movement—or it can reflect a momentary subluxation, where the joint moves slightly beyond its usual range and then re-seats. People sometimes describe this as the jaw “going out” for a second.
This can happen after very wide opening (big yawn, dental appointment, singing loudly, biting into a tall burger). If you feel like you need to wiggle your jaw to get it comfortable again, that’s a sign the joint may be a bit unstable or the muscles are guarding.
Occasional pops aren’t always dangerous, but frequent popping plus soreness can mean the joint is being pushed beyond what it can comfortably handle.
Grinding or crunching sounds
A grating, crunchy, or “sandpaper” sound (often called crepitus) can suggest changes in the joint surfaces. This can occur with arthritis or wear of the cartilage. It’s more common as we age, but it can also show up earlier in people with heavy clenching or a history of jaw injury.
Crepitus doesn’t automatically mean severe arthritis, but it’s one of the jaw sounds that deserves a closer look—especially if it’s paired with pain, stiffness, or reduced opening.
If you notice this kind of sound, it’s smart to avoid self-diagnosing and instead get an evaluation. Imaging and a thorough exam can clarify whether it’s primarily muscular, disc-related, or degenerative.
A “thud” or dull clunk at the end of opening
Some people notice a dull clunk right at the widest opening. This can happen when the jaw approaches its limit and the joint structures shift. It can also reflect hypermobility—meaning your joints are extra flexible, which sometimes comes with less stability.
Hypermobility can be genetic, or it can be influenced by habits like frequent wide opening or certain stretching routines. While gentle mobility is good, aggressive jaw stretching can backfire if your joint is already unstable.
If the clunk is new, frequent, or paired with a “stuck open” feeling, it’s worth getting checked so you can learn safer movement patterns.
Common causes of jaw clicking and popping
Disc displacement: the classic TMJ click
The most talked-about cause of clicking is disc displacement. The disc can shift forward or slightly off to one side. When you open, the condyle may “catch” the disc and pull it back into place, creating that click. When you close, it can slip out again.
Why does the disc move? Often it’s a mix of joint strain and muscle imbalance. Clenching, grinding, nail biting, chewing ice, and long gum sessions can all load the joint. Over time, the ligaments that help keep the disc aligned can become stretched or irritated.
Disc displacement can be painless at first. But if the joint is irritated, inflammation can build, and muscles may tighten to protect the area—leading to soreness, headaches, or a tired jaw.
Clenching and grinding (bruxism)
Many people clench without realizing it—especially during focused work, driving, stress, or sleep. Grinding can also happen at night, sometimes loud enough for a partner to hear. These habits overload the TMJ and the chewing muscles.
When muscles are overworked, they can pull the jaw slightly off its ideal path. That altered “track” can contribute to clicking. Plus, clenching can inflame the joint, making it more sensitive and more likely to make noise.
If you wake up with jaw fatigue, morning headaches, or tooth sensitivity, bruxism might be part of the puzzle—even if you’ve never noticed yourself doing it.
Stress and the jaw-body connection
Stress doesn’t just live in your mind; it shows up in your shoulders, neck, and jaw. When you’re stressed, your nervous system can keep muscles slightly “on,” and the jaw is a common place to hold tension.
That constant low-level tension can change how smoothly the TMJ moves. It can also lead to micro-clenching throughout the day (think: tight jaw while reading emails). Over time, this can trigger clicking or make an existing click more noticeable.
Even if stress isn’t the only cause, addressing it often makes TMJ symptoms easier to manage. The jaw likes calm, steady muscle patterns.
Bite changes and dental factors
Your bite influences how your jaw closes and where the joint sits during function. If your bite changes—due to tooth wear, missing teeth, new dental work, or shifting over time—your muscles may adapt in ways that strain the TMJ.
This doesn’t mean that every filling or crown causes TMJ issues. But if your bite feels “off” after dental work, or you find yourself avoiding chewing on one side, it can contribute to uneven muscle activity and joint loading.
Similarly, missing teeth can lead to altered chewing patterns. When the jaw is forced to compensate, the joint and muscles can become crankier and more prone to noise.
Joint inflammation and arthritis
The TMJ can develop inflammation (synovitis) from overload, injury, or systemic conditions. Inflammation can change how smoothly the disc and joint surfaces glide, increasing the chance of clicks and pops.
Arthritis—osteoarthritis or inflammatory types—can affect the TMJ too. This may present as stiffness, pain with chewing, and crepitus (grinding sounds). Sometimes people notice they can’t open as wide as before.
Because arthritis has many patterns and causes, a professional assessment is important. Treatment might focus on reducing inflammation, protecting the joint, and improving function rather than “forcing” the joint to be silent.
Injury, whiplash, and posture-related strain
A fall, sports injury, or car accident can strain the TMJ or the muscles around it. Whiplash is a big one—neck trauma can change muscle tone and coordination, which can ripple into jaw mechanics.
Posture also matters more than most people expect. Forward head posture (hello, laptop life) can increase tension in the neck and jaw muscles. When your head sits forward, the jaw often compensates, and the muscles can stay in a more guarded state.
If your clicking started after an injury or alongside neck pain, it’s a clue that the jaw issue may be part of a bigger musculoskeletal picture.
When jaw clicking is “normal-ish” and when it’s a sign to act
Situations where monitoring may be enough
If your jaw clicks occasionally, doesn’t hurt, and your mouth opens normally (usually around three fingers’ width for many adults), you may simply keep an eye on it. Lots of people have mild disc irregularities that never become a major problem.
It can help to note patterns: Does it happen only when you open very wide? Only when chewing tough foods? Only when you’re stressed? Those patterns can guide small habit changes that reduce strain.
Even in these mild situations, it’s still smart to avoid “testing” the click by repeatedly opening and closing to hear it. That can irritate the joint and reinforce the movement pattern.
Signs you should book an evaluation
If clicking is paired with pain, frequent headaches, jaw fatigue, or locking (getting stuck open or closed), it’s time to get it checked. These symptoms suggest the joint or muscles are struggling to cope with the load.
Also pay attention to changes: the click gets louder, happens more often, or your opening becomes limited. A shift from a painless click to pain and restriction can indicate the disc is no longer reducing smoothly or that inflammation is increasing.
And if you notice ear-related symptoms—fullness, ringing, or a feeling like you have an ear infection without actual infection—those can sometimes overlap with TMJ dysfunction and deserve a careful look.
Jaw locking: how it relates to clicking and why it matters
“Closed lock” (can’t open fully)
Sometimes a jaw that used to click suddenly stops clicking—but not because it got better. If the disc moves out of position and no longer snaps back, the condyle may not be able to glide forward normally. This can cause a “closed lock,” where opening is limited and feels blocked.
People often describe waking up and suddenly not being able to open wide enough to bite into an apple. It can be alarming, and it’s one of the more important reasons to seek care sooner rather than later.
Early management may help reduce inflammation and restore smoother motion. Waiting too long can allow the joint to adapt in less ideal ways.
“Open lock” (stuck open)
Less common, but very memorable: the jaw gets stuck open after a big yawn or dental appointment. This can happen when the joint moves too far forward and can’t slide back easily. It’s more likely in people with hypermobile joints.
If this happens, it can be painful and scary. While some people can gently guide it back, it’s best not to force it aggressively. Improper force can injure the joint or teeth.
If you’re stuck open and can’t close your mouth comfortably, that’s a situation where urgent professional help is appropriate.
At-home strategies that often calm TMJ sounds
Give your jaw a “soft diet” break
When the TMJ is irritated, chewy or crunchy foods can keep it inflamed. Temporarily shifting to softer foods—think pasta, eggs, yogurt, fish, cooked vegetables—can reduce the workload and give tissues a chance to settle.
This doesn’t have to be forever. Even a week or two can help if your symptoms are flaring. The goal is to reduce repetitive heavy chewing, not to avoid normal eating long-term.
Also consider cutting food into smaller pieces so you don’t need a big opening. Big bites can trigger popping in joints that are already sensitive.
Heat, gentle massage, and muscle downshifting
For many people, the muscles are a big part of the problem—even when the disc is involved. Warm compresses on the jaw and temples can relax tight muscles and reduce the “guarding” that makes motion jerky.
Gentle massage of the masseter (cheek muscle) and temporalis (temple muscle) can also help. The key word is gentle—digging hard can make sore muscles angrier.
A simple habit that helps: set reminders to check your jaw position. Lips together, teeth apart, tongue resting lightly on the roof of the mouth. This “resting posture” reduces clenching and can decrease clicking over time.
Rethink stretching and “jaw cracking” habits
It’s tempting to stretch your jaw wide to “loosen it,” especially if you feel tight. But aggressive stretching can worsen instability and make popping more frequent. If your joint is already clicking because the disc is slipping, forcing wide openings can be like yanking on a misaligned mechanism.
Similarly, some people intentionally move their jaw to create a click—like cracking knuckles. That repeated snapping can irritate the joint and reinforce the disc displacement pattern.
If you want to do exercises, it’s best to learn targeted, controlled movements from a clinician who understands TMJ mechanics. The right exercises can help; the wrong ones can keep the cycle going.
Professional treatment options (and what they’re trying to accomplish)
Evaluation: what a good TMJ check typically includes
A thorough TMJ evaluation often includes a history of your symptoms (when it started, what triggers it, whether you grind), an exam of jaw range of motion, listening/feeling for joint sounds, checking muscle tenderness, and assessing your bite and wear patterns.
Depending on the case, imaging may be recommended. Regular dental X-rays can show teeth and basic jaw structures, but discs are soft tissue and may require different imaging if disc position is a major question.
The point of the evaluation isn’t just to label it “TMJ.” It’s to identify whether the main driver is muscle tension, disc displacement, inflammation, degenerative change, or a combination—because the best next step depends on that.
Night guards and splints: when they help and why
Oral appliances are commonly used when clenching/grinding is contributing to symptoms. They can protect teeth from wear and reduce muscle overactivity in some people. Certain designs can also help guide the jaw into a more comfortable position at night.
It’s important that a guard is properly fitted and monitored. An ill-fitting over-the-counter guard can sometimes worsen symptoms by changing the bite unpredictably or encouraging more chewing-like activity during sleep.
When used appropriately, a splint is often less about “fixing the click” instantly and more about calming the system so the joint and muscles can function with less strain.
Physical therapy, posture work, and habit coaching
TMJ issues often respond well to a whole-system approach. Physical therapy can address jaw mechanics, neck and shoulder tension, and movement patterns that keep the joint irritated. For many people, the neck is a missing piece—especially if you spend long hours at a desk.
Habit coaching is also huge. Reducing daytime clenching, managing nail biting, avoiding gum, and learning a relaxed jaw posture can make a bigger difference than people expect.
And yes—stress management counts as “treatment” here. Better sleep, breathing practices, and realistic workload boundaries can reduce the muscle tension that drives clicking and pain.
Dental and restorative considerations
If missing teeth or an unstable bite is contributing to jaw overload, restoring function may help distribute forces more evenly. That can reduce strain on one side of the jaw and decrease compensatory muscle tension.
In some cases, people explore options like dental implants Elmhurst residents consider when they want a fixed solution that helps stabilize chewing. Restoring a strong, balanced bite can be part of a longer-term plan—especially if you’ve been favoring one side for a long time.
That said, TMJ care is rarely about one single procedure. It’s usually a combination of reducing overload, improving muscle balance, and making sure your bite and habits aren’t forcing the joint into a stressful position.
How to talk about your symptoms so you get better answers
Details that help a clinician pinpoint the cause
Jaw clicking can mean different things, so specifics matter. Try to note whether the sound happens on opening, closing, or both; whether it’s on the left, right, or both sides; and whether it happens every time or only sometimes.
Also pay attention to timing and triggers: first thing in the morning, after long conversations, during chewing, after workouts, or during stressful days. If you’ve had recent dental work, orthodontics, or a change in your bite, mention that too.
And don’t forget associated symptoms: headaches, neck pain, ear fullness, ringing, tooth sensitivity, or facial pain. TMJ issues often travel with a “supporting cast” of symptoms that provide important clues.
A simple self-check you can do without overdoing it
You don’t need to repeatedly open wide to “test” your jaw, but you can do a gentle check once: open slowly in front of a mirror and see if your jaw shifts to one side before returning to center. A deviation can suggest muscle imbalance or disc issues.
Notice whether your opening feels smooth or if there’s a point where it jumps. If you feel a jump and hear a click at the same moment, that’s useful information to share.
If anything hurts during this check, stop. Pain is your signal that the system is irritated and doesn’t need extra provocation.
When jaw sounds overlap with dental emergencies
Red flags that shouldn’t wait
Most clicking is not an emergency, but some situations deserve prompt care. If you can’t open or close your jaw properly, have sudden severe pain, or experience swelling, fever, or trauma to the face, don’t “wait it out.”
Also, jaw pain can sometimes be confused with tooth pain (and vice versa). A cracked tooth, infection, or abscess can cause referred pain that feels like it’s in the jaw joint area.
If you’re unsure whether the pain is joint-related or tooth-related, it’s better to get checked quickly rather than guessing at home.
Where urgent dental care fits in
If you’re dealing with intense pain, a suspected infection, or a jaw that feels stuck in a way that’s getting worse, contacting an emergency dentist can help you sort out what’s happening and get relief sooner.
Urgent appointments can be especially helpful when symptoms escalate fast—like sudden locking, sharp pain when biting, or swelling near a tooth. Even if the final answer is “TMJ flare,” ruling out dental infection is important.
It’s also useful because jaw issues can coexist with dental problems. Treating one while ignoring the other can keep you stuck in discomfort.
Finding the right kind of help for ongoing TMJ clicking
Choosing a provider who looks at the whole picture
TMJ problems sit at the intersection of joints, muscles, teeth, habits, and lifestyle. The most helpful providers tend to ask a lot of questions, examine both the muscles and the joint, and talk about conservative strategies before jumping to drastic interventions.
If you’re looking locally and want someone who can evaluate your bite, muscle tension, and dental factors together, connecting with a dentist in Elmhurst who is comfortable discussing TMJ symptoms can be a practical starting point.
You want a plan that makes sense for your specific triggers—whether that’s nighttime clenching, posture strain, missing teeth, or a disc that’s been clicking for years.
What “progress” can look like (even if the click doesn’t vanish overnight)
One of the most reassuring things to know: improvement doesn’t always mean instant silence. Many people notice less pain, fewer headaches, better opening, and less jaw fatigue before the clicking fully settles down (if it ever does).
In some cases, a painless click may remain but becomes less frequent and less dramatic. That can still be a win if function is good and the joint isn’t inflamed.
Focus on practical markers: Can you chew comfortably? Do you wake up without jaw tension? Are you opening smoothly? Those are often better indicators of joint health than whether you can hear a tiny click.
Everyday habits that protect your jaw long-term
Chewing patterns, phone posture, and “micro-clench” awareness
Try to chew evenly on both sides when possible. Constantly favoring one side can overload that joint and muscle group. If you notice you always chew on one side because the other feels “weird,” that’s a good thing to mention during an exam.
Phone posture matters too. Holding a phone between your shoulder and ear, or craning your neck forward while scrolling, can crank up neck and jaw tension. Small changes—raising the screen, using earbuds, taking stretch breaks—can reduce that background strain.
And then there’s micro-clenching: the subtle jaw tightening that happens while concentrating. A sticky note on your monitor that says “teeth apart” sounds silly, but it works.
Sleep support and pillow choices
Sleep is when many people grind, and it’s also when your muscles should be recovering. If you sleep on your stomach with your head turned sharply, you may be putting extra strain on the jaw and neck.
Side sleeping with supportive alignment, or back sleeping if comfortable, can reduce asymmetrical strain. The “best” pillow is the one that keeps your neck neutral rather than tilted up or down.
If you suspect nighttime grinding, a professional evaluation can help you decide whether a custom guard is worthwhile and what design fits your situation.
Be careful with jaw-heavy workouts and instruments
Some activities load the jaw more than you’d expect—like heavy lifting where you brace and clench, or playing instruments that involve jaw pressure. Even certain breath-holding patterns can increase clenching.
If you’re lifting, try exhaling through the effort and keeping your jaw relaxed. If you catch yourself clenching during sets, consider using a mouth posture cue rather than biting down hard.
These tweaks don’t mean you need to stop doing what you love. They just reduce the background stress that can keep a clicking joint irritated.
If your jaw clicks or pops, it’s usually your TMJ telling you something about how the disc, muscles, and joint surfaces are moving together. Sometimes it’s a harmless quirk. Other times it’s an early warning sign that your jaw is overloaded or out of balance. Paying attention to patterns, calming aggravating habits, and getting a thoughtful evaluation when symptoms persist can make a big difference in comfort—and keep your jaw working smoothly for the long haul.