Jaw Cracking Causes, Treatments, And When To See A Doctor

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Why Is My Jaw Making Cracking Noises, and How Can I Treat It?

Medically reviewed by Harshil Matta, DO — Written by Kirsten Nunez on October 6, 2020

Causes
Jaw pops while eating
Jaw cracks while yawning
With ear pain
Seeking medical help
Treatment
Cracking your jaw
Summary

A clicking, popping, or cracking sound in your jaw isn’t usually a cause for concern, but it can occasionally signify an underlying condition, like arthritis or myofascial pain syndrome/

“Jaw cracking” refers to a clicking or snapping sound in your jaw. It’s also known as “jaw popping.”

Often, the sound occurs with jaw pain and discomfort. You might also have a hard time moving your jaw, depending on the underlying condition.

Jaw cracking usually isn’t a cause for concern, though. It can even happen when you widely yawn or open your mouth.

The exception is if you recently sustained a facial injury, which can dislocate or break your jaw. In this case, you’ll need emergency help.

Read on to learn about the possible causes of jaw cracking and when you should see a doctor.

Why does my jaw keep popping and making cracking noises?

The potential causes of jaw cracking range in severity and type. They include:

Temporomandibular joint disorder

Your temporomandibular joint (TMJ) attaches your jawbone to your skull. If there’s something wrong with this joint, it’s called temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD).

TMD can make your jaw crack or pop. Other symptoms include:

jaw stiffness
locking of your jaw
limited jaw movement
pain in your jaw, face, or neck

TMD often happens without a specific cause. Occasionally, clenching your teeth due to emotional stress can play a role.

Arthritis

Arthritis occurs when your joints become damaged and inflamed. If it affects your TMJ, it can cause TMD and jaw cracking.

All types of arthritis can lead to TMD. Most cases are due to osteoarthritis, but it can also be caused by rheumatoid arthritis.

Arthritis also causes symptoms in other parts of your body, including:

joint pain and stiffness
swelling
redness
poor range of motion

Jaw dislocation or other injury

Facial injuries can dislocate or break your jaw. A dislocation happens when your jawbone moves out of place, while a broken jaw happens when your jawbone breaks.

Common causes of facial injury include:

physical trauma to the face
vehicle accident
sports injuries
industrial accidents
dental or medical procedures

A dislocated or broken jaw can lead to TMD symptoms, including jaw pain and cracking.

Other symptoms of dislocation include:

facial pain
crooked bite
difficulty talking
difficulty closing your mouth
jaw locking

If your jaw is broken, you’ll likely have:

facial pain
bruising, swelling, or bleeding
difficulty chewing
jaw stiffness
damaged teeth
ear pain
a lump in your cheek or jaw
facial numbness

Myofascial pain syndrome

Myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) causes pain in your muscles and fascia. Fascia is the sheet of connective tissue that covers every muscle.

MPS can affect any muscle, including those in your jaw, neck, and shoulder. It’s the most common cause of TMJ discomfort.

You may have jaw cracking and popping, along with:

throbbing jaw pain
painful muscle knots (trigger points)
jaw muscle tenderness
poor range of motion in your jaw
headaches
difficulty sleeping

Obstructive sleep apnea

If your breathing briefly and repeatedly stops during sleep, it’s called obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). This happens when the airways in your throat are too narrow.

OSA increases your chances of developing TMD. The connection is unclear, but it’s thought that the resistance in your airways triggers a stress response. This may cause your jaw muscles to clench together.

Other symptoms include:

snoring
daytime tiredness
dry mouth
shift in moods
morning headaches

Malocclusion of the teeth

Malocclusion of the teeth occurs when your upper and lower jaws are misaligned. It causes your upper and lower teeth to line up incorrectly.

There are several types of malocclusions, including:

overbite
underbite
open bite
cross bite
crowded teeth

The primary symptom is teeth misalignment, but you can also experience TMD and jaw noises.

Other symptoms include:

difficulty chewing or biting
mouth breathing
changes in facial appearance
speech issues

Infection

Jaw cracking and pain might indicate an infection in your:

salivary glands
jawbone (osteomyelitis)
TMJ

Depending on the infection, you may also have:

an abnormal taste in your mouth
difficulty opening your mouth
dry mouth
swelling
fever
open ulcer

Jaw infections are often mistaken for TMD. If your doctor’s treatment for TMD fails to work, be sure to let them know.

Tumor

If a tumor develops in the oral cavity, it can lead to oral cancer. This may cause symptoms like:

mouth sore that won’t heal
persistent mouth pain
painless swelling in your neck or face
difficulty swallowing
difficulty hearing
persistent earache
voice changes
unexplained weight loss

The tumor can also affect how your jawbone moves, causing jaw noises like cracking or popping.

Jaw cracking while chewing

If you have jaw cracking while eating, you might have:

TMD
arthritis
malocclusion
injury
infection
tumor

Jaw cracks when yawning

Jaw cracking when you yawn might indicate:

TMD
injury
arthritis
malocclusion
OSA
MPS
infection

Jaw popping alongside ear pain

Potential causes of jaw cracking plus ear pain include:

broken jawbone
tumor

When to see a doctor

Jaw cracking usually isn’t serious. It typically goes away in 2 or 3 weeks. However, you should see a doctor if you have:

worsening jaw noises
persistent pain
lump in your jaw area
difficulty eating
difficulty breathing
speech issues
fever

Medical emergency
If you were recently injured, go to the nearest emergency room. You’ll need immediate medical attention.

Treating the underlying cause

To stop jaw cracking, you’ll need to treat the underlying cause.

Home remedies

The following home remedies can be used alone or with medical treatment:

Over-the-counter (OTC) pain medication. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like naproxen sodium or ibuprofen may ease jaw discomfort.
Jaw stretches or massages. Stretching or massaging your jaw can help reduce tension. A doctor or physical therapist can show you jaw exercises.
Avoiding overextension. Activities like chewing gum and singing loudly can stress your jaw. Try your best to avoid them.
Avoiding hard foods. Eating crunchy, hard foods can worsen your symptoms. Choose softer foods, like mashed potatoes or yogurt.
Heat or ice pack. Hot or cold therapy may relieve inflammation and TMD symptoms. Wrap the pack in a clean towel to protect your skin and apply it for 10 minutes.
Stress management. Stress can trigger TMD, so it’s important to practice relaxation techniques. Common methods include yoga, meditation, and regular exercise.

Medical treatment

If your jaw cracking is due to a more serious condition, you may need medical treatment. This might include:

Prescription medication. A doctor may suggest prescription relievers if OTC drugs don’t help.
Mouthpieces. Oral splints can reposition your jaw and reduce TMD. Mouth guards can reduce teeth grinding and related discomfort.
Injections. Corticosteroid or Botox injections may alleviate TMD pain.
Ultrasound. If you have MPS in your jaw, an ultrasound can provide relief by increasing blood circulation.
Arthrocentesis. This procedure removes debris and inflammation byproducts from your TMJ.
CPAP. If you have OSA, you’ll need nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) to breathe properly during sleep.
Corrective dental work. Dental work may be necessary if your upper and lower jaws are misaligned.
Corrective surgery. In more serious cases, you may need surgery to correct jaw deformities.

Is it bad to crack your jaw?

Cracking your jaw isn’t necessarily harmful. It can happen if you open your mouth wide, like during a big yawn. This is expected and normal.

However, take note if your jaw cracks when you talk or chew. It may indicate a more serious issue, especially if you also have pain.

Try eating softer foods to decrease your jaw activity. If your symptoms persist, see a doctor.

Takeaway

If you have jaw cracking, pay attention to your other symptoms. This can help you determine what might be causing the sound. Be sure to visit a doctor if you have persistent pain, difficulty eating or breathing, or if the jaw cracking gets worse.

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesHistoryHealthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Head and neck cancers. (2017).https://www.cancer.gov/types/head-and-neck/head-neck-fact-sheet
If you grind your teeth at night, you might have sleep apnea. (n.d.).https://www.sleepapnea.org/if-you-grind-your-teeth-at-night-you-might-have-sleep-apnea/
Jaw – broken or dislocated. (n.d.).https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/injury/jaw-broken-or-dislocated
Malocclusion of teeth. (n.d.).https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/diseases-conditions/malocclusion-of-teeth
Mayo Clinic Staff. (2018). TMJ disorders.https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/tmj/symptoms-causes/syc-20350941
Myofascial pain syndrome. (n.d.).https://www.asahq.org/whensecondscount/pain-management/types-of-pain/myofascial-pain-syndrome/
Osteomyelitis. (2019).https://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/osteomyelitis/
Salivary gland infections. (n.d.).https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/diseases-conditions/salivary-gland-infections
Sanders AE, et al. (2013). Sleep apnea symptoms and risk of temporomandibular disorder.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3706181/
Sleep apnea symptoms and diagnosis. (2020).https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/sleep-apnea/symptoms-diagnosis
Temporomandibular disorder (TMD). (n.d.).https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/temporomandibular-disorder-tmd
Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) conditions. (n.d.).https://www.pennmedicine.org/for-patients-and-visitors/find-a-program-or-service/oral-and-maxillofacial-surgery/center-for-temporomandibular-joint-disease/tmj-disorders
TMJ (temporomandibular joint & muscle disorders). (2018).https://www.nidcr.nih.gov/health-info/tmj/more-info

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Medically reviewed by Harshil Matta, DO — Written by Kirsten Nunez on October 6, 2020

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