Got a Clicky Jaw? Clicking the jaw is most commonly due to tension in muscles around the TMJ, causing compression through the joint.
Although the term “clicking jaw” is most commonly used to describe TMJ pain caused by degenerative disc disease or luxation (dislocation), it can also be caused by other problems, including ankylosis, muscle tension or spasms, fracture of the joint or condyle (articular surfaces of the mandible), or a neurologic cause.
The pain associated with clicking-jaw can be very mild to severe and usually is felt in both TMJs. Still, some people experience only one side of the joint as being symptomatic.
Common symptoms include locking, popping, clicking, and/or pain when opening and closing the mouth.
The symptoms of clicking-jaw are caused by various problems, including disc degeneration, osteoarthritis, condylar resorption, and extrusion of the articular eminence. The latter two conditions often present with clicking-jaw phenomena when the cause is unilateral (one-sided).
As degenerative disc disease of the TMJ progresses, it can lead to excessive wear and tear.
Condylar resorption has a particular affinity for the bone that has been weakened by osteoarthritis, trauma, or microfracture procedures in other areas of the jaw.
As the articular surface of the condyle wears away, there is less available surface area for the articular disc to rest upon. The result is a process called extrusion of the articular eminence. Small portions of bone from the end of the condyle can break away, which then impinges on the articular disc causing compression and pain.
What Can You Do For Clicky Jaw?
Clicking the jaw is slowly becoming one of the most common chronic pains globally and has been studied for many years.
If you have been diagnosed with clicking-jaw, your dentist may recommend that you avoid chewing on the side of your mouth that is painful.
They can also provide pain relievers and anti-inflammatory medications to reduce symptoms. You may be asked to wear a JAW orthosis (bite splint) if jaw muscle tension is the cause of your pain.
If clicking-jaw is caused by TMJ degenerative disc disease, your dentist will likely suggest avoiding grinding and clenching habits as well as stress on the affected side. In some cases, surgery or microfracture may be recommended to help relieve pain in this condition.
What Is TMJ, And How Does It Develop?
The Temporo-Mandibular Joint (TMJ) is one of the most important joints found in your body. It functions to open and close the jaw, allows for chewing, and helps maintain a functional lower face shape that includes the necessary space for the lower teeth.
The TMJ comprises many moving parts, which work together as a hinge joint to let you open and close your jaw.
The TMJ also works with the muscles attached to it, providing them with stability. When these joints are working correctly, there is no pain or clicking in the jaw area, and oral movements are smooth and painless.
If you experience pain in the jaw, ear, or teeth area, sensitive teeth, or feeling a grating sensation when opening and closing your mouth, complications may have developed due to the movements of this joint coming into contact with each other.
More commonly, this happens when too much stress has been put on the jaw muscles due to too much force exerted on the area.
Stress generally comes from improper use of the teeth and/or jaw muscles or as a result of an injury or accident that has affected this area.
The condition is commonly referred to as TMJ Disorder by dentists. It is often found in people who wear their upper teeth over their lower lip, grind their teeth, or undergo orthodontic treatment, as the joints are being put under more stress than usual.
In most cases, TMJ symptoms do not appear until one of the two temporomandibular joint muscles becomes inflamed. The condition is common in people between the ages of 20 and 40 years old. In addition, women are more likely to experience the condition than men.
What Happens If TMJ Is Left Untreated?
It can lead to a range of issues that include:
Impaired jaw joint function (how the joint moves) and reduced muscle strength around the jaw, sometimes resulting in bite misalignment;
Tenderness and clicking or locking of the jaw; Pain radiating into the ear, face, neck, or teeth; Numbness in the jaw or face; Headaches.
What Are The Natural Solutions For Clicky Jaw?
1. Change Your Lifestyle
Reduce or stop any activities that require you to clench your jaw, grind your teeth, or bite down on hard objects. By reducing stress on the jaw muscles, you are giving them a rest from being overworked which means they will be less likely to get irritated.
2. Wear A Bite Splint
If the clicking-jaw is being caused by tension in the jaw muscles, your dentist may suggest wearing a bite splint. This is a device that is worn in the mouth and helps to keep the teeth in the correct alignment. By doing so, it eliminates pressure on your jaw joints and muscles and can also help to reduce pain and inflammation.
3. Consider A Mouth Guard For The Night
To protect your teeth from grinding during sleep, you may be advised to wear a mouth guard for the night while you sleep. If you do not want to wear a mouth guard all the time, you can try wearing it just for a few nights each week. This will help to reduce stress on your jaw muscles and joints and can help to alleviate pain.
4. Engage In Other Activities
Rather than clench or grind your teeth due to stress, you can put extra effort into relaxing these muscles by engaging in other activities that are less strenuous. This might include taking up meditation, yoga, or breathing exercises. These are all great alternatives that will help you manage stress and tension levels in the jaw muscles.
5. Use A Heat Pack
A heat pack can help reduce strains and pains caused by clicking-jaw. This method is non-invasive and simple to use as you simply hold the heat pack against your face or jawline for a short period of time. You can use a hot towel that has been soaked in warm water or try buying an electronic heating pad.
6. Use Ice Packs To Reduce Inflammation
If your jaw muscles are swollen or inflamed, you can use an ice pack to reduce this inflammation. This will help to relieve any pain and discomfort you may be experiencing. It is important not to apply the ice directly onto your skin as this can result in ice burns and/or frostbite. Instead, wrap the ice pack in a towel and hold it against your face for up to 20 minutes at a time.
7. Try A Supplement
There are many supplements that you can try to help reduce inflammation and pain in the jaw muscle or joint. These include:
Fish Oil – If you suffer from clicking-jaw, there is a good chance your body may be deficient in essential fatty acids such as omega-3. By taking a high-quality fish oil supplement each day you can help to reduce inflammation and pain in the jaw muscles. The supplement will also be a great source of omega-3 fatty acids which have been shown to improve mood, mental focus, and memory function as well as increase blood flow to the brain.
Turmeric – This is an ancient Indian spice that has been used for many centuries due to its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antibacterial properties. By sitting down to a daily helping of turmeric you can help reduce any inflammation that is being caused by your clicking-jaw.
Chamomile – This herbal remedy is commonly used in tea form to help people fall asleep at night easier. The plant has also been shown to be effective in reducing inflammation and pain, making it a great choice for those suffering from clicking-jaw.
8. See A Dentist
If you are still experiencing pain and discomfort after trying some of the methods mentioned above, it is important to see your dentist. They will be able to perform a thorough examination of your mouth and jaw and may be able to provide a more specific diagnosis. They may also be able to offer some solutions or treatments that will help to reduce your clicking-jaw.
How To Massage For Clicky Jaw?
Begin by placing heat on the affected area. This can be done with either a hot compress or inhaling steam from the shower.
After applying the heat, lightly massage your jaw in circles, up and down motions around your ears, and gently work into any joint areas that you feel are sore or tender.
When massaging your face, start from behind your ears and work down to the joint where your jaw connects. You can also lightly massage the muscles along both sides of your face as well.
Finish by repeating all of these steps on the other side of your face.
When massaging, do not put too much pressure on any area that might be sensitive or sore.
We hope this article helped you better understand CLICKY JAW, its causes, and how you can treat it naturally.
Also, See,
How I Cure My Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ), Naturally