One of the more surprising things I see in practice is how long patients put up with jaw clicking before coming in. Most assume it’s just stress, or something they have to live with. Some have been dealing with it for months, even years, before they finally ask someone about it.
So let’s answer the question right now: is jaw clicking normal, or should you get it checked?
The short answer: jaw clicking is not something you have to accept. And it can get better.
What Jaw Clicking Actually Means
Your jaw joint is called the temporomandibular joint, or TMJ. It’s one of the most complex joints in your body because it has to rotate, slide, and hinge all at once, every time you open and close your mouth.
When the jaw clicks, it’s usually because the joint isn’t moving smoothly. The disc inside the joint may have shifted. The muscles around it may be tight. There may be tension in the neck, the shoulders, or the upper back that is pulling the whole system out of balance.
Most patients I see with jaw pain describe one or more of these symptoms:
- Clicking or popping when opening the mouth
- A feeling of fullness or pressure behind the ear
- Soreness in the temples or jaw after eating
- Headaches, especially in the morning
- Jaw locking, where the mouth won’t open fully
If any of that sounds familiar, you’re not imagining it, and you’re not alone.
What I Actually Do in the Treatment Room
When a patient comes in with jaw pain, I start by assessing how the jaw joint moves. I check the opening pattern, the side drift, and how the muscles feel on each side. I also look at the neck and upper back, because the way your head and shoulders sit throughout the day has a direct effect on how your jaw functions.
Then I look at what’s actually driving the problem. Treatment might include:
- Releasing tension in the muscles in and around the jaw joint
- Mobilizing the joint itself to restore its natural movement
- Treating the connected areas, including the upper neck and shoulder blades
- Facial acupuncture, which can help reduce tension in the deeper layers of the jaw muscles
I had a patient who came in after two years of her jaw locking shut first thing in the morning. She had to force it open every day, which was painful and alarming. After a few sessions of internal jaw muscle release and joint mobilization, the locking stopped.
Why Your Jaw and Your Headaches Might Be Connected
If you get tension headaches, especially ones that start at your temples or the back of your head, there’s a good chance your jaw is part of what’s driving them.
The muscles that control your jaw also attach near your temples and the back of your neck. When the jaw is tight or misaligned, it creates tension that radiates upward. A lot of patients have been treating their headaches separately from their jaw pain without realizing they were connected.
In our sessions, I assess both at the same time. Addressing the jaw often reduces the frequency and intensity of tension headaches at the same time.
What to Expect at Your First Visit
Your first visit is 60 minutes. I’ll ask you questions about your symptoms, when they started, what makes them better or worse, and what you’re hoping to get out of treatment. Then I’ll do a thorough physical exam of your jaw, neck, and upper back.
If treatment makes sense on the first visit, we start that day. You won’t leave without a clear picture of what’s going on and what a plan looks like for your specific situation.
If your jaw has been clicking, locking, or aching, book a session at Tip Top Health. We offer a comprehensive TMJ assessment and will build a treatment plan specific to you.