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Is It Normal for a Child’s Jaw to Click?
Hearing your child’s jaw click when they chew, yawn, or open their mouth can understandably make you wonder whether something is wrong. The good news is that a jaw clicking sound by itself does not always mean there is a problem.
According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR), clicking or popping sounds in the jaw joints without pain are common and generally do not require treatment. However, clicking becomes more important to evaluate when it occurs along with pain, stiffness, limited movement, jaw locking, or changes in the way the teeth fit together.
For parents, the key is knowing the difference between an occasional, painless sound and clicking that may be associated with a developing jaw or bite problem.
What Causes a Child’s Jaw to Click?
The temporomandibular joints, or TMJs, connect the lower jaw to the skull and allow the mouth to open, close, chew, and speak. A small cartilage disc within each joint helps the jaw move smoothly.
A clicking or popping sound can occur when the structures within the joint move as the jaw opens or closes. This may happen without causing pain or affecting normal jaw function.
Other factors that may be associated with jaw sounds or discomfort include:
- Jaw clenching or teeth grinding
- Excessive gum chewing
- Jaw injury or trauma
- Muscle tension
- Changes in bite or tooth alignment
- Certain jaw-development patterns
- Problems affecting the jaw joint or surrounding muscles
Importantly, a clicking sound alone does not establish that a child has a TMJ disorder. NIDCR notes that jaw sounds without pain or limited movement are common.
When Is Jaw Clicking Usually Not a Concern?
If your child occasionally makes a clicking sound when opening their mouth and otherwise feels completely comfortable, it may not require treatment.
A clicking jaw is generally less concerning when:
- There is no jaw pain
- Your child can open and close their mouth normally
- The jaw does not lock
- Your child can chew comfortably
- There is no swelling around the jaw
- The bite has not suddenly changed
- The clicking is occasional rather than progressively worsening
That does not mean parents should ignore changes. If you notice a persistent or new jaw sound, especially during a period of rapid growth, mentioning it at your child’s regular dental or orthodontic visit can provide reassurance.
When Should Parents Be Concerned About Jaw Clicking?
Clicking deserves more attention when it occurs with other symptoms.
1. Jaw Pain
Pain around the jaw joint, cheek, temple, or muscles used for chewing can be a reason to have your child evaluated. NIDCR identifies jaw-joint or chewing-muscle pain as the most common symptom associated with TMDs.
2. Difficulty Opening or Closing the Mouth
If your child cannot open their mouth normally, feels stiffness, or says their jaw gets stuck, schedule an evaluation.
3. Jaw Locking
A jaw that catches or locks open or closed is different from an occasional painless click and should be professionally assessed.
4. A Change in the Bite
Pay attention if your child suddenly says their teeth feel different when biting down. NIDCR lists a change in how the upper and lower teeth fit together among symptoms that can signal a TMD.
5. Difficulty Chewing
If your child avoids certain foods, has trouble biting or chewing, or seems uncomfortable while eating, the issue may involve more than an isolated joint sound.
6. The Jaw Shifts When Opening
Parents may notice the lower jaw moving noticeably to one side when their child opens or closes their mouth. The American Association of Orthodontists lists jaws that shift or make sounds among signs parents may want to discuss with an orthodontist.
Can Jaw Clicking Be Related to Orthodontic Problems?
Sometimes, jaw sounds may be noticed alongside changes in the bite or jaw development, but clicking does not automatically mean a child needs braces or orthodontic treatment.
Orthodontists evaluate much more than whether a jaw makes a sound. They consider how the upper and lower jaws are developing, how the teeth come together, whether the child has difficulty chewing, and whether there are other signs of malocclusion.
Cumming Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics specifically notes that clicking or shifting jaws can be one sign of an orthodontic irregularity that deserves evaluation.
This is especially relevant during childhood because the teeth and jaws are still developing.
Why Early Orthodontic Evaluation Can Help
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children receive an orthodontic evaluation by age 7. An early visit does not necessarily mean your child will need braces immediately. Instead, it allows an orthodontist to monitor jaw growth, tooth eruption, bite development, and other potential concerns.
At Cumming Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics, early orthodontic evaluations are designed to identify developing irregularities and determine whether monitoring, preventive care, interceptive treatment, or comprehensive orthodontic treatment may be appropriate.
For some children, the best treatment is simply observation as their jaws and permanent teeth continue to develop.
Does Jaw Clicking Mean My Child Has TMJ?
Not necessarily.
“TMJ” refers to the temporomandibular joint itself, while TMD refers to disorders involving the jaw joints and chewing muscles. NIDCR emphasizes that painless clicking and popping sounds are common and do not, by themselves, indicate a TMD.
Parents should look at the whole picture rather than focusing only on the sound.
A child who has an occasional click but no pain, locking, restricted movement, or chewing difficulty may simply need routine observation.
A child who has clicking combined with pain, jaw stiffness, difficulty opening, locking, or a noticeable bite change should receive a professional evaluation.
What Should Parents Do About a Clicking Jaw?
If your child has painless clicking but no other symptoms, avoid repeatedly asking them to open and close their jaw just to reproduce the sound. There is generally no reason to try to “fix” a painless jaw click at home.
Instead:
- Monitor when the clicking occurs.
- Notice whether it happens on one or both sides.
- Watch for pain or stiffness.
- Pay attention to changes in chewing.
- Note whether the jaw shifts while opening.
- Look for changes in your child’s bite.
- Mention persistent clicking during a dental or orthodontic visit.
If symptoms appear or worsen, a dentist or orthodontist can examine the jaw, bite, teeth, and surrounding muscles and determine whether additional evaluation is necessary.
Jaw Clicking in Children: When to See an Orthodontist in Cumming, GA
Parents in Cumming should consider an orthodontic evaluation if jaw clicking is accompanied by pain, locking, restricted movement, difficulty chewing, a shifting jaw, or a noticeable change in the bite.
Cumming Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics provides pediatric dental and orthodontic care for children and teens, including early orthodontic evaluation and treatment. The practice serves families in Cumming and surrounding communities including Vickery, Sugar Hill, Suwanee, Johns Creek, Alpharetta, and Dawsonville.
Conclusion
A clicking jaw does not automatically mean something is wrong with your child. Painless clicking without restricted movement or other symptoms is often not a reason for treatment.
However, clicking accompanied by jaw pain, stiffness, locking, difficulty chewing, jaw shifting, or changes in the bite deserves professional attention. Since children’s jaws and teeth are continuously developing, an orthodontic evaluation can help determine whether the sound is simply an incidental finding or part of a developing concern.
If you are unsure about your child’s jaw clicking, an evaluation with a qualified orthodontist in Cumming, GA can provide clarity and help you understand whether monitoring or treatment is appropriate.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)
Is it normal for a child’s jaw to click?
Yes. Occasional jaw clicking without pain or restricted movement can be common and may not require treatment.
When should I worry about my child’s clicking jaw?
Seek an evaluation if clicking occurs with pain, stiffness, locking, limited movement, difficulty chewing, or a change in the bite.
Can braces cause jaw clicking?
Jaw clicking should not automatically be attributed to braces; persistent or painful clicking should be evaluated to determine its cause.
Should my child see an orthodontist for a clicking jaw?
An orthodontic evaluation can be helpful when clicking occurs with bite changes, jaw shifting, chewing problems, or other developmental concerns.
At what age should a child see an orthodontist?
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends an initial orthodontic evaluation by age 7, although children with noticeable concerns may benefit from evaluation earlier.
