Jaw pain and popping/clicking

Chiropractic can help

Jaw pain and popping / clicking: how can chiropractic help?

Pain and clicking of the jaw are usually due to a physical shock, wrong use of the jaw, bruxism, dental issues, dental operation or postural problems.
Pain and especially popping of the jaw often become chronic in the absence of a solution. Harmony is delicate to achieve in this small, very complex and fragile joint (the TMJ or temporomandibular joint), around which, powerful muscles are attached to break up food. The problem can originally arise from a shock, from poor use of the jaw, bruxism, dental issues, a dental operation or postural problems.
Jaw pain and clicking come from a dysfunction of the TMJ (temporomandibular joint), due to a trauma, micro trauma or an infection. This dysfunction can be muscular or structural (jaw disc misaligned). Chiropractic can’t help you cure a local jaw infection so you must have it treated first, but most jaw pain and popping can be cured by chiropractic, even when caused by an infection.

Important side note/ highlight:
Intense, unintentional and permanent contraction of the jaw is called trismus. It can be a sign of infectious pathologies. In this case, it’s advised to see your medical doctor to check if there is an emergency treatment to be made before consulting at your chiropractic office.

Direct trauma

Following a direct trauma on the TMJ (the temporomandibular joint) or the jaw, the jaw disc can move and block the opening or closing of the jaw.

Disuse

The jaw works both sides. Numerous people just chew on one side only, leading to a muscular imbalance that pulls the jaw towards the chewing side, and can generate pain from wear or blockage of the disc (meniscus) of the jaw.

Dental problems:

Whether it’s from pain, an infection, a worn, missing or not perfectly replaced tooth, dental problems can alter the jaw’s balance and generate tensions which can, in the short term lead to a TMJ (temporomandibular joint) problems.

Dental operations:

During dental operations, maintaining the mouth wide open for a long period of time can generate strong tensions in the jaw muscles. This can lead to jaw pain and popping.

Postural problems:

Tongue muscles are attached directly to the jaw and indirectly to the cervical spine and the skull. Postural issues can thus have a direct impact on the jaw and it’s positioning and generates pain or jaw popping. More advanced mechanisms also link posture to jaw positioning.

Bruxism:

Bruxism consists in the clenching of your jaw and the grinding your teeth during the night. It’s very bad for your health, because it puts a lot of pressure on the joint and wears the teeth and jaw disc. It can even break your teeth! Bruxism also leads to major tensions in the muscles that can sometimes create headaches. Bruxism is often, but not always, related to stress. An orthodontist can provide a dental protector to limit the harmful effects of bruxism at night. Chiropractic can help accompany you further by correcting jaw problems.

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