Hearing your jaw click more often than usual can feel a little strange. It might be just a soft sound that comes and goes or something more noticeable, like a pop or shift when you open your mouth. Some people hear it when they yawn in the morning, others when they chew or laugh, and sometimes it doesn’t make any noise at all, just a weird off-track feeling.

While it doesn’t always mean there’s a big issue, extra clicking could be the first sign your jaw is under a little stress. If the clicking is sticking around, or you’ve got soreness, pressure, or tightness that comes with it, it could mean the joint isn’t moving as it should. 

TMJ joint pain treatment may be worth looking into, especially if the sound is happening more regularly or starting to get in the way of normal stuff like eating or talking. At our Beverly, MA office, TMJ treatment usually starts with a conservative plan that often includes custom oral orthotics or splints that support better joint movement.

How Your Jaw Joint Works Day to Day

Every time you smile, bite into food, or chat with someone, your jaw joint goes to work. It sits just in front of each ear and connects the lower jaw to your skull. The full name is the temporomandibular joint, but most call it the TMJ.

This joint is always moving. It needs muscles, ligaments, and nearby bones all doing their jobs so that it can glide and open smoothly. When each part plays nicely, you can talk and chew without much thought. But a tiny shift in how things line up can change that.

Here are a few ways that happen:

• The joint might slip out of its normal position just a little bit

• A shift in muscle pull might affect how it opens or closes

• The soft disc inside the joint can move slightly and cause a clicking sound

What catches many people off guard is how a small thing can lead to a bigger change over time. One day it feels fine, the next day the joint makes a noise, and suddenly you notice it happening more and more. It’s not always painful at first, but it may not go away on its own.

Everyday Habits That May Be Straining Your Jaw

Sometimes, the cause of jaw clicking is as simple as how we go about our day. Certain habits we don’t even think twice about can create pressure or tension around the TMJ. That strain builds quietly, which is why it can take a while before someone connects the dots.

Some common habits that might be adding stress to the jaw include:

• Clenching or grinding teeth when focusing, reading, or driving

• Tensing the jaw during stress, even while asleep

• Holding a phone between the shoulder and face for long periods

• Frequently chewing gum or snacking on hard foods

These actions may seem harmless at first, but the extra pressure can mess with the balance of the joint. The muscles around it get tight, the movement gets a little uneven, and before long, you’ve got a pop or click every time you open your mouth wide.

Catching these patterns early is a big help. The sooner we recognize what might be triggering the tension, the easier it is to step back and try a different approach before discomfort grows.

When Clicking is Linked to Other TMJ Symptoms

Clicking by itself isn’t always a big deal. But when it pairs with aching, stiffness, or trouble opening your mouth wide, it may mean your bite is out of sync, or the joint just isn’t moving as it should. In some people, the clicking can fade quickly. In others, it lingers and leads to daily inconvenience.

Here are a few signs to look out for:

• Pain or soreness when opening the jaw wide

• Trouble biting into or chewing certain foods

• A sense of the jaw locking or catching from time to time

• Sore jaw muscles upon waking

When those signs show up alongside clicking, there’s a stronger chance something deeper is going on. TMJ joint pain treatment could help when symptoms begin to show a pattern instead of coming and going once in a while. The key is paying attention to those early signals and not brushing them off when they begin to affect your daily routines. 

Depending on your needs, Dr. Benjamin Polan may use splints along with therapies such as prolotherapy, trigger point injections, medical acupuncture, TENS therapy, ultrasound, moist heat, massage therapy, or certain medications to ease strain on the joint.

How Dr. Benjamin Polan Can Help You Understand What’s Causing the Change

If you’re hearing or feeling more clicking in your jaw lately, it can help to talk it through with someone who knows what to look for. Dr. Benjamin Polan works with jaw issues every day and takes a close look at how your jaw moves, what your bite is doing, and where things could be running off track. Dr. Benjamin Polan is a dentist in Beverly, MA, who is specially trained to evaluate TMJ problems, and many patients see improvements in chewing, breathing, and even speaking comfort when the joint is back in balance.

That kind of in-person observation often reveals subtle things you wouldn’t notice on your own. He may ask about what triggers the clicking or if it feels worse at certain times of day. Even the way your jaw opens or shifts can give clues about what’s causing the change.

Dr. Benjamin Polan keeps the focus on what matters most: your comfort and function. Instead of guessing, he watches carefully, asks questions, and explains what might be going on so you’re not left wondering why things feel off. That makes it easier to figure out the next steps that actually fit what your jaw needs.

Feeling Normal Again Without the Constant Clicking

Sometimes a clicking jaw is just a passing quirk. Other times, it’s a small signal pointing to something more. Paying attention to it early can make a real difference. If the sound keeps returning or grows sharper, it’s worth asking what might be causing it. Things like jaw tension, clenching, or a small shift in your bite may not seem big right now, but they can change how your joint feels over time.

Your jaw does a lot each day. It shouldn’t leave you guessing whether it’s working right. When clicking or discomfort becomes a regular part of your day, it helps to know someone can check in, explain what’s happening, and point you in the right direction. Letting the joint settle and work the way it’s meant to can free up your mind for the important stuff, eating, laughing, talking, and doing it all without thinking about your jaw.

Noticing more frequent or uncomfortable jaw clicking may be a signal that something deeper needs attention. At North Shores Sleep and TMJ we take the time to understand your jaw's function and the small changes that might be affecting your daily movement. Examining your habits can point us toward real relief. Learn more about how we approach TMJ joint pain treatment in Beverly, MA, and when you’re ready, contact us to schedule a time to talk.