What could be the cause of a clicking sound at my jaw?

Doctor's Answer

Clicking in the jaw is a sign of Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction (TMJD). Though the name sounds complex and scary, it is a common phenomena especially more so in young females such as yourself!

TMJD is a complex subject in the dental world but cam be easily managed by looking out for certain habits such as

1. Eating hard foods such as tough meats or chewing ice. This can put a strain on the jaw joint and exacerbate the clicking sound, furthermore causing pain if the frequency is increased

2. Unprotected night time grinding / clenching of teeth. If you tend to grind your teeth while sleeping or wake up with teeth clenched, it is time to wear a night guard , custom made by your dentist! Failure to protect your teeth can cause the clicking to get worse over time.

There are no absolutes with how jaw clicking should be treated because at times treatment can be as simple as changing your diet, as moderate as a short dose of muscle relaxants / botox to the jaw msucles, or as complex as surgery.

My best advice would be to consult with a dentist you feel comfortable with if the clicking does really bother you especially if you have had a history of orthodontic / braces treatment /any significant dental work done like a crown or bridge in the past.

Warm regards,

Dr Beth

Ask any health question for free

I’m not so sure about a procedure...

Ask Icon Ask a Question

Join Human

Sign up now for a free Human account to get answers from specialists in Singapore.

Sign Up

Get The Pill

Be healthier with our Bite-sized health news straight in your inbox