Popping of the Jaw

SHOULD YOU BE WORRIED ABOUT JAW POPPING?

Jaw popping is a condition that can affect the temporomandibular joint (TMJ, which is the technical name for the jaw joint). When opening the mouth, the joint makes a popping or clicking noise.

Under healthy conditions, the jaw joint does not make any sound when the upper jaw moves up, down or sideways. Thus, jaw popping can be a sign that the joint needs attention, especially when combined with pain and other symptoms, such as locked jaw, difficulty when chewing and opening the mouth wide, headache and earache.

The most common condition that cause joint problems and popping is a bad bite. Other potential causes for this condition include teeth grinding and clenching, excessive chewing, mouth breathing, TMJ disorder, some forms of arthritis and injury to the joint. In some instances, infection in the salivary glands can lead to temporary jaw popping.

 

HOW DOES A BAD BITE AFFECT POPPING OF THE JAW

The bite is the act of getting upper and lower teeth together, and it is supposed to be even and balanced on both sides. Most cases of jaw popping have a bad bite component that can either cause the condition or make it worse.

When teeth are not straight or when the relation between the jaws is abnormal (such as in open bites, deep bites, cross-bites, etc.), the jaws do not meet properly when biting. As a result, the muscles tense up and work harder as an attempt to eliminate the interferences in the bite. Tension in the muscles lead to stress in the the jaw joint, skull, neck and spine.

With the muscles under strain due to bite issues, several problems can occur in the jaw joint:

  • The disc that lies between the bones in the jaw joint can become less stable and move out of position, causing the clicking or popping sound
  • The muscles and ligaments that stabilize the joint become tense, limiting the movements of the jaws
  • The nerves and arteries that pass through the joint and connect it to the brain can be compressed, causing pain and discomfort in the joint itself or in other areas such as face, head, ear, neck or spine.

 

MEDICAL ORTHODONTICS AND TREATMENT FOR JAW POPPING

The best way to treat jaw popping is to eliminate the bad bite, through the alignment of teeth and jaws to balance the bite and relax the muscles, ligaments, nerves and arteries. When upper and lower teeth bite together under healthy conditions, there is no strain in the joint. Thus, in many cases, orthodontics is the solution to improve jaw popping and clicking and to prevent other problems.

 

CLEAR ALIGNER THERAPY TO CORRECT YOUR BITE AND JAW POPPING

Medical orthodontics offers a conservative and non-invasive approach to solve a bad bite and all the potential consequences to the body.

Adults usually frown when the word ‘braces’ is mentioned, which was the traditional way of correcting alignment problems. Now, clear aligner therapy has replaced braces, offering a more pleasant solution.

The orthodontist will provide a set of plastic clear trays (they look like mouthguards), which are replaced every few weeks. Those can be removed during eating, cleaning and on especial occasions, making it a more comfortable option.

As a result, teeth and jaws are gently corrected, bringing relief to the muscles and the joint. Did we mention that it also produces a beautiful smile?

Contact your orthodontist today, invest in a healthy bite and get the perfect smile as a side benefit with clear aligner therapy.