Why does my jaw pop when I open it and click when I chew?
It started about a year ago, and it locks up so I can't open my mouth all the way, and then I try and stretch it really hard and it makes a big pop sound and I can move it freely, but once I close my mouth it locks up again. Also, when I chew it pops or clicks every time, and other people can hear it. Sorry for the mass info, but it's uncomfortable and embarrassing. I need to know if I should see a dentist, or if there's a way to make it go away, or at least decrease it's occupancy.
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You have a TMJ disorder and the clicking or popping you hear is due to a part of the jaw joint called the articular disk becoming forced out of joint whenever your teeth are together and popping back into joint when you open your mouth. This is called reciprocal clicking. When the articular disk cannot pop back into place it acts like a doorstop to prevent the mouth from opening more than 3 fingers wide and this is called a closed lock. Over time the locking will become more frequent and eventually the articular disk will become permanently locked out of joint and these cases are extremely difficult to treat. You need to find a dentist who knows how to treat TMJ (not all do) but avoid oral surgeons and traditional orthodontic specialists, trust me. Check this site to find someone near you: www.iaortho.org.