Updated September 6, 2026
A jaw that clicks or pops can sound alarming, but the noise itself does not necessarily mean something is wrong. Jaw-joint sounds are common, and when clicking or popping happens without pain or difficulty moving the jaw, it usually does not require treatment.
Sometimes, however, a new or painful pop occurs along with jaw locking, limited movement, tenderness or other symptoms. In those situations, the sound may be part of a temporomandibular disorder (TMD) and is worth evaluating.
Why does my jaw pop when I open my mouth?
The temporomandibular joints, or TMJs, connect the lower jaw to the skull just in front of the ears. Inside each joint is a small disc that helps the jaw move smoothly as you open, close, chew and speak.
One possible reason for a distinct click or pop is a change in how that disc moves with the jaw.
In a condition known as disc displacement with reduction, the disc may sit slightly out of its usual position when the mouth is closed and then move back into a more typical relationship with the joint as the mouth opens. That movement can create a click or pop.
Importantly, this does not automatically mean the joint is being damaged.
Research has found that disc displacement with reduction is common and is often a stable, pain-free condition. Many people live with a clicking joint for years without developing significant problems.
Is jaw popping normal?
Very often, yes.
The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) specifically notes that clicking or popping in the TMJs without pain is common, is considered normal and does not require treatment.
That means a painless click you have noticed for years—while still being able to eat, speak and open your mouth normally—is very different from a painful joint that suddenly begins locking or losing range of motion.
Jaw clicking, popping and grinding sounds are not exactly the same
People often use clicking, popping and grinding interchangeably, but the sounds can feel different.
Clicking or popping
A click or pop is usually a distinct sound or sensation that occurs at a particular point while opening or closing the mouth. Disc movement within the joint is one possible explanation.
Crepitus or grating
Crepitus is more of a coarse grinding, crackling or gravel-like sensation within the joint.
It can sometimes occur with degenerative changes such as osteoarthritis, particularly when it is accompanied by pain or loss of function. A grating sound alone still cannot diagnose arthritis, however. Diagnosis depends on the complete history, examination and, when appropriate, imaging.
Does jaw popping mean I have TMJ disorder?
Not necessarily.
First, a terminology point: TMJ is the name of the joint. TMD refers to the group of disorders involving the jaw joints, chewing muscles and associated structures.
NIDCR describes TMDs as a group of more than 30 conditions.
A painless click by itself does not mean you have a disorder that requires treatment.
Jaw sounds become more suggestive of a symptomatic TMD when they occur alongside problems such as:
- pain in the jaw joint or chewing muscles
- painful clicking or popping
- jaw stiffness
- limited mouth opening
- jaw locking
- pain with chewing
- a persistent change in the way the teeth fit together
If pain rather than sound is your main concern, start with our broader guide: Why Does My Jaw Hurt? Common Causes of Jaw Pain and What to Do.
What causes a jaw to start popping?
There is not one universal explanation. Possibilities include:
- Disc movement within the TMJ. This is a common explanation for a reproducible click during opening or closing.
- A temporomandibular disorder. Joint or muscle disorders may include painful jaw sounds among other symptoms.
- Joint hypermobility. Some jaws naturally move farther than others and may produce a pop during wide opening.
- Arthritic or degenerative joint changes. These may be associated with coarse grating or crepitus rather than a single clean click.
- Trauma. A blow, fall or other injury can affect the joint and should be considered when popping begins suddenly after an accident.
In many cases, however, the exact reason for a harmless joint sound does not need to be identified if there is no pain or loss of function.
Can teeth grinding or clenching cause jaw popping?
Bruxism and TMD symptoms can occur in the same person, but the relationship is not simple enough to say that grinding directly causes every clicking or popping joint.
Bruxism includes grinding, clenching, jaw bracing and thrusting. Frequent jaw-muscle activity may contribute to muscle soreness or other symptoms in some people, but a joint sound does not prove that bruxism caused a TMD.
Likewise, having a clicking TMJ does not prove that you grind your teeth.
If you are trying to determine whether you grind or clench, see Teeth Clenching vs. Grinding: What’s the Difference?.
Can stress cause jaw popping?
Stress does not directly explain every popping jaw.
Some people notice more daytime jaw clenching or muscle tension during periods of stress, and those behaviors may make an already-sensitive jaw feel more noticeable.
But it would be too simplistic to say that stress itself makes the disc slip or directly causes the joint to pop.
If you notice yourself clenching during stressful periods, reducing unnecessary tooth contact and allowing the jaw to return to a comfortable resting position may be useful even if the joint noise itself remains.
Can a bad bite or crooked teeth make your jaw pop?
The old idea that TMD is generally caused by a “bad bite” has not held up well under modern research.
NIDCR states that evidence does not support the belief that malocclusion or orthodontic treatment causes TMD.
For that reason, a clicking jaw should not automatically lead to permanent bite-changing treatments such as grinding down teeth, placing crowns or moving teeth solely to correct the sound.
NIDCR specifically cautions that these irreversible occlusal treatments have not been shown to effectively treat TMD and can sometimes make symptoms worse.
Should I try to stop my jaw from popping?
If the popping is painless and your jaw moves normally, usually not.
Treating a sound simply because it exists can expose someone to unnecessary procedures without improving health or function.
If the joint is painful, however, the goal is not necessarily to eliminate every click. The more important goals are reducing pain, maintaining comfortable movement and addressing the specific condition causing the symptoms.
What can help a sore jaw that also pops?
When jaw popping occurs along with mild muscle or joint discomfort, conservative measures are generally the preferred starting point.
Depending on the situation, NIDCR recommends approaches such as:
- temporarily choosing softer foods during a painful flare
- reducing gum chewing and other unnecessary jaw activity
- applying comfortable heat or cold
- becoming aware of jaw clenching or other habits
- using appropriate jaw exercises when recommended for the specific condition
Many TMD symptoms improve with simple care or even resolve without treatment.
Are there exercises for jaw popping?
There is no single exercise routine that everyone with a popping jaw should perform.
This matters because a painless click, a painful muscle-related TMD, a restricted joint and a jaw that locks are not necessarily the same problem.
Physical therapy and guided exercise can help some people with painful TMD and movement limitations. The exercises should be chosen for the person's specific condition rather than simply trying to force the joint to stop clicking.
Avoid repeatedly opening the mouth as far as possible, aggressively stretching the joint, forcing side-to-side movements or exercising through sharp pain.
For a more careful look at jaw exercises, see Jaw Exercises for Teeth Grinding and Clenching: What May Help.
Will a night guard stop my jaw from popping?
A conventional night guard should not be presented as a guaranteed way to stop jaw clicking or popping.
If you grind or clench your teeth and are developing dental wear or damage, a night guard may be recommended primarily to protect the teeth from direct tooth-to-tooth contact.
Oral appliances are also used in some TMD treatment plans, but NIDCR notes that evidence for improvement in TMD pain remains limited.
A guard should not be marketed as permanently repositioning the jaw, correcting the bite or putting the TMJ back into alignment.
If you are considering an appliance because you have both jaw symptoms and bruxism, see Does a Night Guard Really Help With TMJ? What the Evidence Says.
What if my jaw suddenly stops clicking?
A click that disappears is not automatically good or bad.
Sometimes a clicking disc continues to move normally enough that the sound changes or disappears without any problem.
But if a previously clicking jaw suddenly stops clicking and you can no longer open your mouth normally, the disc may no longer be reducing during movement. This can occur with a condition often described as a closed lock.
New restricted opening, painful locking or difficulty eating deserves professional evaluation.
Why does my jaw pop on only one side?
The two TMJs can behave differently, so it is entirely possible for only one side to click or pop.
A one-sided sound by itself does not prove that your jaw is crooked, that your bite is uneven or that one side needs to be “realigned.”
Again, pain and function matter more than symmetry of sound.
Is jaw popping a sign of arthritis?
Not usually by itself.
Arthritis can affect the TMJ, and degenerative joint changes may sometimes produce crepitus or a grating sensation.
But a clean click or pop is not enough to diagnose arthritis.
Persistent pain, progressive stiffness, reduced movement or coarse grating may prompt a clinician to investigate further. Imaging is sometimes used when the history and examination suggest a joint disorder that needs clarification.
When should jaw popping be evaluated?
Consider seeing a dentist, physician or clinician experienced in orofacial pain if the popping occurs with:
- persistent or worsening jaw pain
- pain when chewing or opening the mouth
- limited mouth opening
- jaw locking or getting stuck
- a persistent new change in your bite
- significant facial or jaw swelling
- progressively worsening function
Evaluation is also appropriate when symptoms begin after a significant injury to the jaw or face.
Should jaw popping be treated with Botox or surgery?
Not simply because the joint makes noise.
NIDCR recommends beginning with conservative, reversible care for symptomatic TMD and being cautious about treatments that involve injections, procedures or permanent changes to the teeth or jaw.
Botulinum toxin is not FDA-approved specifically for TMD, and studies of its effectiveness for TMD symptoms have produced mixed results.
Surgery is generally reserved for selected, significant joint disorders—not an otherwise healthy jaw that occasionally clicks.
Can jaw popping become worse over time?
It can change, but a painless click does not inevitably progress into serious joint disease.
A systematic review examining TMJ disc displacement found that disc displacement with reduction—the pattern frequently associated with clicking—is most often stable and pain-free. Only a minority of joints progressed to loss of disc reduction, and even that did not necessarily result in severe or lasting symptoms.
This is another reason not to treat every click as an early warning that the joint is “wearing out.”
The bottom line
Jaw popping can sound dramatic, but the sound itself is often far less concerning than people expect.
Painless clicking or popping with normal jaw movement is common and generally does not require treatment.
A click deserves more attention when it becomes painful, occurs with locking or restricted motion, follows an injury or accompanies another meaningful change in jaw function.
The goal should not be to silence every noisy joint. It should be to identify and treat pain or dysfunction when it is actually present—while leaving harmless joint sounds alone.
Sources
National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR). Temporomandibular Disorders (TMDs).
National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR). Summary of Treatment for Temporomandibular Disorders (TMDs).
Naeije M, Te Veldhuis AH, Te Veldhuis EC, Visscher CM, Lobbezoo F. Disc displacement within the human temporomandibular joint: a systematic review of a 'noisy annoyance'. Journal of Oral Rehabilitation. 2013.
Editor’s note: Updated September 6, 2026. This article was substantially revised to clarify that painless jaw clicking and popping are common and generally do not require treatment; distinguish clicking from crepitus; remove unsupported jaw-misalignment and bruxism-causation claims; update guidance about oral appliances and exercise; and emphasize conservative care for symptomatic TMD.
This article is for educational purposes and is not a substitute for individualized dental or medical care.