A popping knee, elbow, or knuckle isn’t usually something that you should worry too much about. Likewise, you might not take much notice when your jaw pops or clicks as you open and close it. However, unlike a knee or elbow, a popping jaw could indicate serious problem, such as a bite imbalance that’s forcing your jaw out of alignment. Today, we look at what a popping jaw could indicate, and why personalized treatment might be necessary to restore your bite’s proper function.
What a Popping Jaw Could Mean
Perhaps more than the rest of your body, your jaw and mouth require symmetry and balance to operate properly. For instance, the joints on which your lower jaw moves, known as temporomandibular joints (TMJs), have to operate in tandem as you open and close your bite. If your bite isn’t balanced, then the movement could overstress one or both joints, causing them to pop as they shift and try to keep up.
How to Treat a Bite Imbalance
When your TMJs become damaged due to a bite imbalance, the popping sensation can eventually be accompanied by several other symptoms, such as chronic jaw pain and headaches. To address the issue, your dentist can carefully examine your teeth, jaws, and oral structures to identify the imbalance and consult with you to determine the best treatment.
Find Out What Your Popping Jaw Means
If your jaw pops, clicks, or shifts uncomfortably when you bite, chew, and speak, then you could be suffering from a bite imbalance. To learn how we can treat it and restore your bite’s harmony, schedule an appointment by calling Lathrop Dental Center in Katy, TX at 832-437-3849. We proudly welcome patients and families from Katy, Fulshear, Weston Lakes, Simonton, Richmond, Rosenberg, Brookshire, Wallis, Orchard, Cypress, Sealy, Columbus, and all surrounding communities.
