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SYMPTOM · JAW CLICKING

My jaw clicks or I cannot open my mouth well

Is it a problem if my jaw clicks when I open my mouth?

The short answer

Is it a problem if my jaw clicks when I open my mouth?

If there is only a "click" when you open your mouth, with no pain or limited opening, it is the disc inside the jaw joint slipping slightly out of place and back again. A considerable share of adults have this, and in many cases no immediate treatment is needed. However, if the sound comes with pain, if your mouth opens only three fingers’ width (about 40 mm) or less, or if your mouth suddenly will not open, it is regarded as a temporomandibular disorder and the cause needs to be assessed. Most cases are managed without surgery, through habit control, an occlusal splint and physical therapy.

When your jaw clicks or you cannot open your mouth well, what are the common causes?

  1. 01

    Displaced joint disc Glossary (Korean) →

    The disc in the jaw joint is pushed forward and makes a sound as it slips back into place when you open your mouth. If the disc cannot come back at all, the mouth will not open.

  2. 02

    Clenching · tooth grinding Glossary (Korean) →

    The jaw muscles overwork, causing morning stiffness and pain at the temples, and strain builds up in the joint.

  3. 03

    Habits

    Chewing on only one side, resting your chin on your hand, hard foods and gum, and opening the mouth very wide irritate the joint and muscles.

  4. 04

    Bite problems

    When chewing balance breaks down because of a high prosthesis or missing teeth, force concentrates on the joint on one side.

  5. 05

    Stress · sleep

    When tension continues, people clench their teeth unconsciously, causing muscle pain.

  6. 06

    Arthritis · trauma Glossary (Korean) →

    Degenerative changes in the joint itself, or pain that started after a blow, are checked with imaging.

Come in right away, without putting it off, if

  • Your mouth suddenly will not open, or will not close once opened
  • The pain spreads to the ear, head or neck and lasts more than 2 weeks
  • Your jaw shifts strongly to one side when you open your mouth
  • The joint hurts every time you chew, making meals difficult

Call us during opening hours 02-877-2867 · If swelling makes it hard to breathe or swallow, go to an emergency room first.

How does Joy Dental Clinic Bongcheon check it?

  1. 1

    We measure how wide your mouth opens (mm), the path of the jaw as it opens, and the type and timing of the sound.

  2. 2

    We press on the joint and chewing muscles to tell whether the painful area is the joint or the muscles. The direction of treatment differs.

  3. 3

    Panoramic X-rays and CT show changes in the joint bone, and tooth wear and the bite show grinding and how force is distributed.

  4. 4

    According to the cause, we plan step by step — habit education and self-exercises → occlusal splint → physical therapy and medication — and most cases are managed without surgery.

How our equipment works is explained on the equipment page.

Which treatment does it lead to?

What can I do at home before my appointment?

  • If your upper and lower teeth are touching during the day, part them slightly and rest your tongue lightly on the roof of your mouth. Normally the teeth touch only when eating.
  • For a while, avoid hard and chewy foods, gum and foods that require opening wide, and support your jaw with your hand when you yawn.
  • Cut down on resting your chin on your hand, chewing on one side and sleeping face down.
  • When the muscles feel stiff, a warm compress for 10–15 minutes helps. If there is only a sound and no pain, do not force your jaw to move to try to get rid of the sound.

Frequently asked questions

  1. Q1. My jaw only makes a sound. Does it need treatment?

    If there is no pain and no limited opening, monitoring and habit management are usually enough. In many cases, treatment just to eliminate the sound itself is not needed. However, if the sound gets louder or you start to feel it catching, we recommend having it checked.

  2. Q2. How does an occlusal splint work?

    It is a thin appliance worn between the upper and lower teeth during sleep that spreads out the force of clenching and lets the muscles and joint rest. It also protects the teeth from wear. It is custom-made and needs several adjustments afterward.

  3. Q3. Does Korean national health insurance cover TMJ treatment?

    Examination, X-rays, physical therapy and prescriptions are covered items, and an occlusal splint is covered depending on the conditions. We check whether you qualify at the consultation.

References

  1. Schiffman E, Ohrbach R, Truelove E, et al. Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (DC/TMD) for Clinical and Research Applications: Recommendations of the International RDC/TMD Consortium Network and Orofacial Pain Special Interest Group. Journal of Oral & Facial Pain and Headache. 2014;28(1):6-27.
  2. NIDCR. TMD (Temporomandibular Disorders)
  3. 대한안면통증구강내과학회

※ This page is for general information and does not replace a diagnosis. Causes and treatment differ from person to person, and treatment can have side effects. Last reviewed 2026-09-11 · Director Jeong Jinwoo (board-certified prosthodontist and specialist in integrated dentistry)

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My teeth are sensitiveMy tooth throbs and hurtsIt hurts when I chewMy gums are bleedingMy gums are swollenMy tooth is looseI have lost a tooth or have a gapMy denture is loose or uncomfortableMy front tooth is chipped or discoloredMy wisdom tooth hurts All symptom guides

RESERVATION

Start by finding the cause

The same symptom can have different causes. After diagnosis, we explain only the treatment that is needed. Contact us through Naver Booking or by phone.

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