Final answer:
Jaw popping when opening the mouth could be due to a dislocation or temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ), where the jaw joint or muscles are affected, causing pain and dysfunction. Treatment includes medication and bite guards.
Step-by-step explanation:
If your jaw pops when you open your mouth, this could be related to a condition called temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ). The TMJ facilitates movements required for speaking and eating.
The pop could be due to a dislocation of the joint, which occurs when the mouth is opened too wide causing the mandibular condyle to move beyond the articular tubercle.
It can also stem from temporomandibular joint disorder, which can result from arthritis, deterioration of the articular cartilage, muscle fatigue, damage to the articular disc or jaw injury, leading to symptoms like pain, headaches, difficulty chewing, and in some cases, a locked jaw.
Treatment options include pharmacological pain relief and the use of bite guards.