From the Guidelines
Jaw pain and clicking sounds are commonly caused by temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders, which affect the joint connecting your jawbone to your skull, and can result from several factors including teeth grinding (bruxism), jaw clenching, arthritis, jaw injury, or misalignment of the teeth or jaw, as supported by recent studies 1. These symptoms can be caused by various factors, including:
- Teeth grinding (bruxism)
- Jaw clenching
- Arthritis
- Jaw injury
- Misalignment of the teeth or jaw Stress often worsens these conditions by increasing muscle tension in the jaw area. For mild symptoms, treatment typically includes:
- Over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen (400-600mg every 6-8 hours) or acetaminophen (500-1000mg every 6 hours)
- Applying ice packs for 10 minutes several times daily
- Eating soft foods
- Avoiding extreme jaw movements like wide yawning
- Practicing relaxation techniques to reduce jaw tension A dental night guard may help if you grind your teeth during sleep. These symptoms occur because the disc that cushions the joint can become displaced or the joint itself can become inflamed, causing the characteristic clicking sound when opening or closing your mouth, as explained in recent guidelines 1. If pain persists beyond two weeks despite these measures, consult a healthcare provider as physical therapy, prescription muscle relaxants, or in rare cases, surgical intervention may be necessary, as recommended by recent studies 1.
From the Research
Causes of Jaw Pain or Clicking Sounds
Jaw pain or clicking sounds can be caused by various factors, including:
- Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) which encompass a wide range of diagnoses 2, 3, 4, 5
- Musculoskeletal conditions involving pain and/or dysfunction in the masticatory muscles, temporomandibular joints (TMJ), and associated structures 3
- Biopsychosocial and multifactorial pathophysiology, where no one factor is responsible for its development 3
- Predisposing, initiating, and perpetuating factors, including both peripheral and central mechanisms 3
- Malocclusion of the jaw and crepitus 4
- Tenderness of the pterygoid muscles, temporomandibular joints, and temporalis muscles 4
Symptoms and Diagnosis
Symptoms of jaw pain or clicking sounds may include:
- Jaw pain or dysfunction 5
- Earache 5
- Headache 5
- Facial pain 5
- Limited jaw movement 3
- Sounds in the TMJ during jaw movements 3
- Tinnitus, dizziness, decreased hearing, and hyperacuity to sound 4 Diagnosis is based on history and physical examination, with diagnostic imaging recommended if the diagnosis is in doubt 4, 5
Treatment Options
Treatment options for jaw pain or clicking sounds may include:
- Conservative multidisciplinary treatment including self-management strategies, behavioural therapy, physical therapy, and pharmacotherapy 3
- Nonpharmacologic therapy, such as patient education, cognitive behavior therapy, and physical therapy 4
- Pharmacologic therapy, including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, cyclobenzaprine, tricyclic antidepressants, and gabapentin 4, 5
- Injections of the temporomandibular joints with sodium hyaluronate, platelet-rich plasma, and dextrose prolotherapy 4
- Referral to oral and maxillofacial surgery for refractory cases 4, 5