Jaw Sounds Guide: Clicking and Grinding Noises, and When Care Is Needed

Joint noise, meaning a click or a gritty, sand-grinding sound from the jaw when opening or closing the mouth, is described by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA, 질병관리청) as one of the main signs of temporomandibular (TMJ) disorders. The KDCA explains that about 75% of Westerners have at least one sign such as joint noise or tenderness, and in a Korean study of 4,003 people, 53% had at least one self-reported symptom. If there is sound without pain, it is sometimes watched with lifestyle management, but if pain or limited mouth opening comes with it, care is needed.

Published 2026-11-08 · Updated 2026-11-08 · DentalStatics editorial team

Key facts

Meaning of joint noise	One of the main signs of TMJ disorders (source: Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA))
People with signs (overseas survey)	About 75% of Westerners have at least one sign such as joint noise or tenderness (source: Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA))
People with self-reported symptoms (Korean study)	53% of 4,003 people had at least one symptom (source: Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA))
Diagnosis method	Based on clinical symptoms and signs; imaging is supplementary (source: Ministry of Health and Welfare (explanation by National Health Insurance Service Ilsan Hospital))
When MRI is used	To check the articular disc and surrounding soft tissue changes (source: National Health Insurance Service (NHIS, 국민건강보험공단))

Why does the jaw make sounds?

Inside the jaw joint there is an articular disc that acts as a cushion between the head of the lower jawbone and the skull. When opening and closing the mouth, if this disc and the bone fail to move together smoothly and slip out of place and then return, a click can sound.

When the joint surfaces become rough or worn, a gritty or sand-grinding sound can occur on movement. The cause cannot be pinned down from the type of jaw sound alone, so it is judged together through examination and any needed imaging.

How do a click and a grinding sound differ?

A click often occurs once at a particular moment of opening or closing, and with a finger in front of the ear you may feel a catch-and-pass sensation. A grinding sound tends to continue throughout the movement and may be related to changes in the joint surface.

Either way, noting which side makes the sound, when it happens and whether it hurts helps the examination. Recording a video of yourself opening your mouth on your phone is also useful when the sound does not repeat in the exam room.

Is it all right if the jaw only makes sounds and does not hurt?

Signs of TMJ disorders are common, and the KDCA explains that symptoms can improve on their own or go up and down. So when there is only sound without pain or limited mouth opening, habits and posture are sometimes managed and watched rather than starting an appliance or surgery right away.

For growing adolescents, however, it is a little different. In Ministry of Health and Welfare material, a dental professor at the National Health Insurance Service Ilsan Hospital explained that leaving a jaw problem alone during growth can lead to facial asymmetry or bite abnormalities, and that because pain is not felt strongly at this age it is easy to overlook.

In material introduced by the KDCA, the average age of 3,428 TMJ disorder patients was 32.9 years, most were 15 to 45, and among patients wanting treatment the male-to-female ratio was 1:3 to 1:9, with more women. If jaw sounds and pain start together at a young age, it is better not to put off checking your habits.

When is care needed for jaw sounds?

If any of the following changes are added to the sound, it is good to see a dentist to check the structure inside the joint and the condition of the muscles. In particular, when the sound suddenly stops and the mouth opens less, it is better not to delay.

Pain in front of the ear or in the chewing muscles along with the sound
The mouth catches when opening and does not open in one go
The mouth does not open fully or is hard to close
The sounds become more frequent or louder
A growing child has jaw sounds along with visible facial asymmetry

What can you do in daily life to reduce jaw sounds?

When yawning or laughing hard, lightly support the jaw with a hand so the mouth does not open too wide, and cut tough foods or those that need a big bite into small pieces. Also cut back on habits that strain the joint, such as chewing gum, chewing on one side only and resting the chin on a hand.

The basic TMJ exercises introduced by the KDCA are described as to be done as prescribed, so if the sounds bother you, it is good to learn at a visit the exercise method that suits you and continue it at home.

Common myths and facts

Myth: If the jaw makes sounds, the joint is already ruined.

Joint noise is a common sign, and sometimes there is sound without pain or limited function. An examination must look at whether other symptoms come with the sound.

Myth: Jaw sounds can be worked out by deliberately moving the jaw to make them.

Repeatedly moving the jaw to make the sound on purpose can strain the joint and muscles. It is better to cut back on the habit of testing the sound as well.

Myth: Jaw sounds happen only to adults.

In the 2015 health insurance analysis, the number of patients per 100,000 people was highest in the 20s and next in the teens for both men and women, and it is explained that pain is mild during growth and easy to overlook. Adolescents also need to be watched.

Frequently asked questions

Is an MRI needed to find out about jaw sounds?

Diagnosis is made mainly from clinical symptoms and signs, with imaging used as a supplement. An MRI is useful when the position of the articular disc needs to be seen, so the need is judged after examination.

Only one side of my jaw makes sounds.

Sound can occur in only one joint. Check whether you have a habit of chewing on one side only, and keep a symptom diary of whether pain or changes in mouth opening come with the noisy side.

The jaw used to make sounds but stopped, and now my mouth opens less.

If the sound stopped and mouth opening decreased, the structure inside the joint may have changed, so it is good to get care soon. Remember when the sound stopped.

Should I avoid orthodontic treatment if my jaw makes sounds?

The jaw joint condition is checked at the pre-orthodontic examination and reflected in the treatment plan. If new jaw sounds or jaw pain appear during orthodontics, tell your dentist right away.

Are there exercises specifically for reducing jaw sounds?

The KDCA introduces basic exercises such as the resting tongue position and jaw rotation exercise and advises doing them as prescribed. Have a dentist confirm at a visit whether an exercise suits your pattern of sounds.

References

Korean version →