Jaw Problem

It sounds like TMJ. Temporomandibular Joint Disorder. Can be caused by, in my case, grinding your teeth at night.
My dentist made me a mouthguard to wear at night which helped a lot. Don't chew gum, crunch on apples, carrots and hard toffee. Dont yawn widely.
See your dentist as soon as you can. A physio can help with gentle jaw stretching exercises.

Treat your mouth and jaw very gently. Mine suddenly got worse and I could hardly open it. Had to eat very soft food with a teaspoon.
It has improved over several years but still is crunchy/clunky.

I have just looked at the leaflet about TMJ the GP gave me which was very useful. She said I must see a dentist. I wrote the date on the leaflet and it was 2017 although it seems much more recent that I first had a problem.
If you Google TMJ you will find lots of info.

I had the same problem of a clunky and painful jaw. For me it was solved with simple exercises which the dentist gave me to do, I occasionally feel it starting again and restart the exercises until it settles. As helterskelter suggested, google TMJ exercises.

I have that, but mine is caused by my R.A. Any dental work is agonising.
Why don't you contact your dentist?.

Hello kspool I am so pleased you started this because I tried the other day but couldn’t. Apparently I can’t use silver lining … not sure why..but that’s not what I want to say.
My jaw has clicked, clunked and locked every now and again for quite a few years and the last time it took weeks to unlock and I still can’t open my mouth more than an inch. Which is awkward.
I am having a arthrocentesis in 10 days feeling very nervous.
My advice is be careful how and what you chew, cut up fruit etc into pieces, take care eating ice creams and do the jaw exercises. Do not stretch your mouth open either.
I take 2 diazepam when I see the dentist to try to relax my jaw.
If anyone knows anything about my operation I would be very grateful.
Apologies for muscling in but I just can’t start a new thread nor can I get in touch with GN - my Sil did something to my iPad over Christmas. He’s now out of the country so can’t help.

Just checked and there is no sign of my post or this thread on ‘I’m on’ which is ….. . Curiouser and curiouser….

Your response is spot on HelterSkelter. I have the same problem and my dentist checks my jaw every time I see her but says there's no need for me to wear a mouth guard, and due to other 'issues' I probably wouldn't be able too anyway.

Placing a hand under your chin when you yawn prevents you from over stretching the jaw knspol and once you get used to doing so, you do it automatically.

Thank you all. I've just read the TMJ exercise leaflet and done one set already. Fingers crossed and thank you all for your help. Will try to contact dentist tomorrow to see if I can get an appt but if not then I have the exercise to help. This site can be so very useful.

Mine is a very occasionally clunky but never painful 🤷‍♀️

If you call your dentist and say you have an appointment booked but have a "worrying" jaw problem surely they will see you sooner?

Have any of you found that it affects your speech? My jaw sometimes seems to set and make speaking difficult.

My DD had problems with her jaw too. They were resolved after Botox injection into the muscles. An original use for Botox was to release muscle spasm.

Hi I too have suffered with this in last six months. Dentist did say its due to my teeth grinding at night so made me the night guard which helped a little. When I went back she suggested botox and said had I been under stress. Well yes I am stressed at the moment I know I am and don't think ot will be resolved in near future. I opted for the botox its been brilliant can highly recommend.

I suggest seeing a chiropractor or a Bowen therapist for a TMJ procedure

you may also find wearing a dental guard when sleeping will help

Thats interesting Hels001. I know of another woman who has Botox for ðysphagia...problems with swallowing. We always think of the cosmetic use of Botox and forget that it is used for medical reasons. I shall bear that in mind when I next see the dentist. I too have reasons for anxiety which arent likely to disappear this year or if they do will be replaced with other reasons. I must start using my mouthguard again. The TMJ isnt too bad currently.

If it takes too long to get an appointment with a dentist, try a chiropractor, or failing one in your area, someone who teaches Alexander relaxation tecnique.

Hi, it's your jaw joint that comes down from the joint and is a bit out of place..
It can be caused with grinding teeth at night.
You can wear a bite down appliance at back of teeth.
I get it and my ear, jaw and side of neck hurts for weeks at a time.
Brush teeth with soft manual tooth brush.
Don't use electric one for while.
Pain killers and chew soft food for a few weeks.
Hope you stay to feel better soon.

I got this after getting dentures! Obviously something wasn't lined up properly. When I mentioned it (repeatedly) to the dentist, I was told it was because of a change of alignment and that it was the muscles adjusting to the change!! Not very helpful so I hope your dentist is more clued up.
It took a replacement lower denture for the pain to stop! (From under my jaw, affecting my neck, face, ear, eye and up over the top of my face).

I suffer from TMJ and followed a session of physio which helped at the time. I now follow Dr. Adam Fields on YouTube for TMJ and do the exercises every day. It really helps.

So many reasons why such issues develop
In retrospect mine developed following a prolonged period of using crutches and a manual wheelchair which I no longer need. Dentist could find nothing really amiss but strangely after my checkup it felt better. Same thing happened at the hairdressers. Put it down to muscles pulling in the wrong direction etc Continued with neck stretches and upper back posture work. Bingo all sorted

Does anyone’s jaw actually lock?

It can be a tension thing- not relaxing your jaw at night leads to teeth grinding which I guess is the main cause.

However, if you have a private dentist I would get it checked sooner rather than later. If your dentist is NHS you could see your Dr first and that might lead to an earlier NHS appt.

I don't want to alarm anyone but this happened to someone close during Covid and once she could see a dentist she was diagnosed with cancer in the jaw- so don't treat these things as trivial.

I developed TMJ about 35 years ago - one minute I was fine, the next in utter agony. Fortunately my then dentist was a UK pioneer in that field and fixed me up with the mouth shield. Six months later I no longer needed it - and never have since.

Have had TMJ for many years. My dentist made me a mouthguard which has helped & is replaced every couple of years. Have exercises that help too! Find them online. Mine is because I had Wisdom teeth growing lengthways & were very difficult to remove. Now my jaw is not aligned correctly & causes problems. Hope your dentist can help you soon.