What causes the clicking jaw?

Some people face an unpleasant symptom when the jaw clicks when chewing or opening the mouth. Many people try not to pay attention to this. However, a crunch or clicks of the jaw indicate a violation of the function of the temporomandibular joint. The correct shape and position of the teeth is the guarantee of the normal functioning of the joint of the lower jaw.

So why does the jaw click when chewing? The reasons for this symptom may be different:

• Increased abrasion of the teeth, leading to a change in their anatomical shape.
• The presence of artificial crowns, selected without taking into account the individual characteristics of the patient.
• Injuries to the face that caused damage to the jaw.
• Uneven teeth that form a wrong taste.
• Inflammation of the temporomandibular joint.
• Incorrect treatment of a dentist or orthodontist.
• Wear of cartilage in the joint of the lower jaw.
• The subluxation of the jaw joint is due to a strong yawn or a quick bite of a solid vegetable or fruit.

The clicking jaw causes a lot of inconvenience. What to do? First, you should consult an orthodontist who will help assess the situation and identify the causes of an unpleasant symptom. If necessary, he will send to other specialists to conduct a full examination of the function of the temporomandibular joint. The same specialist will make a plan for individual treatment.

Signs of violation of the temporomandibular joint may also be:

• Erase enamel on the teeth.
• Hypersensitivity of teeth.
• Visible defects in the teeth.
• Pain when chewing in the muscles or jaw, giving in the ear.
• Tension in the muscles of the head or neck.
• Pain when the jaw is closed.

With late referral to the doctor, a clicking jaw and other symptoms can lead to irreversible effects, such as a restriction on opening the mouth or disrupting speech and facial expressions. It is not uncommon for a person to open his mouth, but he could not close it. Therefore, clicking jaw is an occasion for an urgent call to a doctor.

How can we cope with this problem? If there is no pain, then the person is well helped by regular gymnastics, for example, to move the jaw to the sides and forward. Often, treatment consists of restoring missing teeth or putting them in the right position. Dental abrasion is treated according to the method of Rudolf Slavichek. The method is quite expensive in time, but very effective. Analgesics and sedatives play an important role in complex treatment, which relieve symptoms. Patients are contraindicated chewing gum, they recommend a protective lining between the teeth at the time of sleep.

When the clicking jaw brings a strong pain, you should attach a moist warm towel and drink an anesthetic. Self-massage of neck and head muscles is also a help in pain. The outcome of recovery depends on the timely request for help. Running cases sometimes can not be cured completely, which leads the patient to life-long problems. Remember that the disease is easier to prevent than to treat it.