Jaw Pain and Clicking — What Causes It?

You yawn, take a bite, or open wide to laugh, and your jaw clicks. Maybe there is a dull ache near your ear by the end of the day, or a stiff feeling some mornings. It is easy to worry when your jaw acts up, because you use it constantly — to eat, talk, and smile. The good news is that for many people, these problems are common and tend to settle down.

This page explains what tends to cause jaw pain and clicking, what usually helps, and which professionals people see for it. It is here to help you understand your options and ask better questions, not to tell you what is wrong with you or which treatment is right for you. That is a conversation for you and a qualified professional.

First, about that clicking

A click or pop on its own — with no pain and no locking — is very common. According to the U.S. National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR), sounds such as clicking or popping in the jaw joints that come without pain are considered normal and do not need treatment.[1]

Cleveland Clinic makes a similar point: if your jaw only pops when you yawn or open really wide, it is often just from stretching the joint a bit far, and usually is not a cause for concern. Some people whose jaw pops never go on to develop any pain at all.[2]

So clicking by itself is usually not the part to worry about. What tends to matter more is pain, trouble using your jaw, or your jaw getting stuck.

What causes jaw pain and clicking

Your jaw joint is called the temporomandibular joint, or TMJ — the hinge just in front of each ear that connects your lower jaw to your skull. You have one on each side. When people talk about "TMJ" as a problem, they usually mean a temporomandibular disorder, or TMD: a group of conditions that affect the jaw joint, the muscles that move the jaw, or both.

Several everyday things can play a part. Common causes and contributors include:

• Muscle strain and clenching. Tension in the muscles that move the jaw is a frequent source of aching. Grinding or clenching your teeth — often called bruxism — can add to this, especially during sleep or stress.[2]
• Habits that overwork the jaw. Chewing gum for long stretches, biting your nails, or regularly eating very hard or chewy foods can tire the jaw muscles.[1][2]
• The disc inside the joint. A small cushion of cartilage sits between the bones of the jaw joint. When it shifts, the joint can make a clicking or popping sound as you open and close.[2]
• Arthritis or wear over time. Like other joints, the jaw joint can be affected by arthritis.[2]
• How the teeth fit together. When upper and lower teeth do not meet evenly (sometimes called malocclusion), it can add strain.[2]
• Injury. A blow to the jaw or face can set off jaw pain and joint trouble.[2]

Stress often runs underneath several of these, because it can lead people to clench or tighten the jaw without noticing.

None of this tells you which cause applies to you — sorting that out is a job for a trained professional, not a checklist. Many of these problems also overlap, which is another reason a proper look matters.

The reassuring part

For a lot of people, jaw trouble does not stick around. NIDCR notes that many temporomandibular disorders last only a short time and go away on their own, and that the signs and symptoms improve in many people without treatment.[1] Cleveland Clinic similarly reports that some people feel better in a week or two, while others may need ongoing care.[3]

That does not mean you should just push through pain. It means simple steps and patience are often a reasonable starting point, and that getting checked is about relief and ruling things out — not bracing for the worst.

What tends to help

Health bodies describe some common, low-risk self-care steps people try early on. NIDCR lists eating softer foods, applying heat or cold to the face, and gently stretching and strengthening the jaw muscles, along with easing off habits like jaw clenching, gum chewing, and nail biting.[1] Cleveland Clinic adds using a mouth guard if you grind your teeth or play contact sports, sitting and standing with good posture, and managing stress through approaches like deep breathing.[3]

These are general educational examples, not personal instructions. If jaw pain is new, severe, or not improving, it is worth having a professional guide you rather than guessing.

Which professional do people see?

Different clinicians approach jaw problems in different ways, and the right fit depends on what is going on:

• Dentists are a common first stop for jaw and bite concerns. Some focus on jaw joint and muscle problems, and can look at how your teeth fit together and whether a night guard or splint might have a role.
• Physiotherapists work on the muscles and movement of the jaw and neck, using guided exercises, hands-on techniques, and advice on posture and habits.
• Physicians (including your family doctor) can assess pain, consider other causes, and point you toward the right kind of care.

Cleveland Clinic notes that treating TMD often combines self-care, dental devices, and professional care, so you may end up working with more than one type of provider.[3] Which mix makes sense is something to decide with a qualified professional after an assessment.

For a deeper walk-through of the jaw joint, symptoms, and how these conditions are assessed, see our fuller TMJ Disorders patient guide.

In Canada

In most provinces you can book a physiotherapist or a dentist directly, without a doctor's referral, though a referral is sometimes needed to have certain costs covered by private insurance or an extended health plan. Coverage varies a lot by plan and province, so it is worth checking your own benefits before booking. If you are not sure where to start, your family doctor or a walk-in clinic can help point you in the right direction.

When to get seen sooner

Most jaw clicking and mild aching is not an emergency. But some signs mean you should not wait, and a few mean you should seek help right away.

See a professional promptly if you have:

• Jaw pain that is severe, or that is not settling after a couple of weeks
• Your jaw locking — getting stuck so you cannot fully open or close it
• Pain that is interfering with eating, speaking, or sleeping
• Swelling around the jaw, especially with a fever

Treat it as an emergency and call 911 if jaw or neck discomfort comes with chest pressure, shortness of breath, sweating, nausea, or lightheadedness. Jaw and neck discomfort can be a warning sign of a heart attack. The American Heart Association lists discomfort in the chest along with the jaw, neck, back, arms, or stomach among heart attack warning signs, and advises calling 911 right away.[4] When in doubt, get emergency help — it is always better to be checked.

This page is here to help you understand common causes and know when jaw pain deserves a closer look. It cannot diagnose you. If your jaw pain is worrying you, is not improving, or fits any of the red flags above, the right next step is to be assessed by a qualified professional.

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