The jaw joint complex of the teeth, muscles and joints – The jaw joints aspect – Part 2 – The sounds

The underlying principle is that the body can adapt to changes to itself. Our role, as health practitioners, is to allow the body to adapt and heal. If you can’t heal or adapt then it’s very difficult to treat you. In an “instant” world, time can be our friend.

What makes the Jaw Joint Sound

Click or popping sound

This is when the articular disc that sits like a “jockey’s cap” on the condyle of the mandibular bone, moves more than normal on movement of the lower jaw. Remember it’s the lower jaw that moves NOT the upper jaw which is fixed to the rest of the skull. As the lower jaw opens it initially is like a ball and socket, or hinge movement. Then it moves down a slope of the upper jaw to end normally at the articular eminence, where maximum opening occurs. This allows the jaw move to forward and down. However, the more mobile padding can get in the way of movement and lead to:

• pain and discomfort in the jaw joint
• difficulty opening the mouth wide
• jaws that “lock” in an open or closed position
• difficulty eating
• facial swelling
• neck ache
• earache

The articular disc then springs when there is a jaw movement that releases it to sit back on the head of the condyle, with a click or popping sound.

Crepitus

This sounds like grating or grinding, even a squishing sound to the ear. This can indicate the disc is over worked and may be breaking down.

Causes

Behaviours:

• Grinding the teeth
• Chewing gum regularly or excessively
• Nail-biting
• Clenching the jaw
• Biting the inside of the cheek or lip

As a general rule, if there is no pain associated with a click or popping sound, then there is no cause for concern other than regular monitoring. However any habit or possible causes of this sound should be discouraged or treated.