You're eating lunch. You open your mouth and something goes click — right in front of your ear. It might not hurt. You might have been living with it for months or years. Or it might be getting worse.

Jaw clicking is one of the most common dental symptoms. It is also one of the most misunderstood.

Your jaw joint — the temporomandibular joint, or TMJ — is one of the most complex joints in your body. It slides and rotates as you open, close, and move your jaw sideways.

The joint is cushioned by a small disc of cartilage, called the articular disc. When this disc is in the right position, your jaw opens and closes smoothly and silently.

When the disc is displaced — clicking happens. The disc slips in and out of its correct position as you open and close. Each time it slips, you hear or feel a click. Sometimes the click is loud enough for others to hear.

The clicking itself is not necessarily dangerous. Many people have clicking for years with no deterioration. The question is whether it is getting worse — and whether it is causing other symptoms.

Clicking on its own — without pain or restriction — is usually low risk. What warrants closer attention is when clicking is accompanied by:

• Jaw locking. Your jaw gets stuck — either open or closed — and you have to work it free. Locking is a sign the disc is severely displaced.
• Pain in the jaw joint or muscles. Aching in front of the ear, in the temple, or radiating down the side of the face. This is called myofascial pain.
• Limited opening. You can't open your mouth as wide as you used to.
• Ear pain or fullness. The TMJ sits directly in front of the ear canal. TMJ disorders often cause ear symptoms that patients mistake for ear infections.
• Headaches. Especially in the temples, especially first thing in the morning.
• Unexplained tooth sensitivity or wear. If your teeth are wearing down or becoming sensitive without obvious cause, grinding or clenching may be a factor.

Teeth grinding and clenching. This is the most common contributor. Night-time clenching puts sustained pressure on the joint and muscles. Many patients with TMJ symptoms have no idea they grind.

Stress. Stress causes jaw clenching — often unconsciously during the day. People under significant stress often increase their clenching without realising it.

Bad bite. If your teeth don't meet evenly, it can put asymmetric strain on the joint over time.

Trauma. A direct blow to the jaw or chin can damage the joint structures.

Arthritis. Like other joints, the TMJ can be affected by osteoarthritis or inflammatory arthritis.

Night guard. If grinding or clenching is a factor — and it usually is — a custom occlusal splint is the most effective first-line treatment. It reduces joint loading, relaxes the muscles, and protects the teeth from further wear.

Stress management. Mindfulness, physical therapy, jaw exercises, and addressing the sources of tension all help — particularly for daytime clenching.

Jaw exercises. Specific exercises to strengthen and mobilise the jaw can help in some cases. Your dentist can show you which ones are appropriate for your situation.

Medication. Anti-inflammatories can reduce joint inflammation. Muscle relaxants are sometimes prescribed for severe spasm. These are temporary measures, not long-term solutions.

Surgery. Required in a very small number of cases — typically when the disc is severely displaced and causing locking, and conservative treatment has not helped. This is a last resort.

If your jaw clicks and you have no pain or limitation, monitor it — but mention it at your next check-up. If the clicking is getting louder, your jaw is locking, or you have pain, don't wait. TMJ problems are easier to treat early.

At Meads Village Dental Practice, we assess the TMJ as part of every examination. We'll tell you if your symptoms need active treatment or just monitoring.

Call 01323 723757 or book at www.meadsdental.com