Experiencing that unsettling feeling of your jaw “popping”? It is not a normal, everyday thing, and it is no rocket science to understand that you are worried about this. In this blog post, we have discussed why your jaw doesn’t hurt, but pops all the time, and the potential underlying issue that may be causing it, such as temporomandibular disorders (TMD).
Why Does Your Jaw Pop?
First things first, let’s clear up one thing: a popping jaw is not always an alarming situation. It might be perfectly natural if it happens only while you stretch your mouth wide, like during yawning. When you extend the mouth/ jaw muscles more than their capacity, it will hurt.
However, if your jaw starts to hurt or click during routine activities such as chewing or speaking, it may be a sign of a more significant issue, such as TMJ disorder.
Symptoms to Watch Out For
If your jaw popping has become a norm and these signs show up with it, get in touch with a doctor immediately.
- Discomfort and Pain: Your jaw hurts all the time.
- Limited Mouth Opening: Difficulty opening your mouth wide.
- Tooth, Ear, and Neck Pain: Ache that radiates to your teeth, ears, or even the neck area.
- Facial Swelling: Your face puffs up and looks bigger than normal.
- Tenderness: Sensitivity or tenderness in your face, jaw, or neck.
- Locking: Your jaw may get stuck in either the closed or open position.
Treating Jaw Popping and TMJ Disorder
If your jaw pops regularly, it could be a sign of an underlying dental or medical condition. If you choose not to treat it on time, it may lead to more severe problems down the road. That is why talking to your dentist is crucial.
The good news is that there are multiple treatment options available for this. Sometimes, home remedies and over-the-counter drugs may not be enough to curb pain. That is where dental experts come in. They offer lasting pain relief solutions and address the root causes of jaw popping and TMJ issues. Here are some of the options to choose from:
- Oral Appliance: There are many devices/appliances available, such as a mouthguard or splint, to manage bruxism (teeth clenching and grinding during sleep).
- Prescription Medication: Medications help manage the pain associated with TMJ issues.
- Therapeutic Treatments: Laser or radio waves can stimulate movement and alleviate jaw pain.
- Physical Therapy: Helps loosen muscles to improve range of motion and enhance blood flow to the joint.
- Injections: Lubricating agents injected into the joint aid in moving smoothly and eliminating discomfort.
- Surgery: It is the last resort in rare cases.
Closing Note
You can get in touch with our experts to learn more about the treatment plans we have in store for TMJ issues. For any queries or concerns, contact Smile Designs Dentistry at any of the following locations:
- Manteca Location: 295 Spreckels Ave, Manteca, CA 95336 Contact Number: (209) 780-4777
- Pleasanton Location: 1400 Santa Rita Rd, Suite# D, Pleasanton, CA 94566 Contact Number: (925) 234-4421