Sticking Jaw

[lainiej]

Over the past few days every time I've yawned when I try to close my mouth the right side of my jaw hinge gets stuck and I'm not able to close my mouth properly without wingling my bottom jaw - sounds strange I know?
Any thoughts please? TIA

[josie48]

http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/ate/musclesjoints/2 02724.html

[josie48]

I get this as well lainej, When you yawn support your chin with your hand.

[SRH]

I have a similar problem that comes and goes - turns out my jaw dislocates when I open it wide. Sounds horrible, but it's pretty common. It started in my teens - hurts to open it wide and sometimes it gets 'stuck', which is really painful. My dentist refered me to the hospital - which confirmed with x-rays that my jaw pops out of place.

It can also be due to grinding your teeth or clenching your jaws (usually when tense). This aggravates it for me.

I now have a type of specially made gum shield that I wear at night to stop me grinding my teeth and to keep my jaw relaxed (the pain is caused by the muscles spasming). I also take anti-inflammatories when it is bad and cut food (such as apples) into pieces rather than trying to get my jaw wide open.

Best bet is to go to your GP and see what they think.

It's not a dangerous problem or anything to worry about. Since I've followed the doctors' advice I've been free from pain and 'locking' for years.

Hope you feel better soon.

[MrXLA]

Well most of the information you provided was very useful SRH until you suggested seeing a GP with a jaw problem?????

[SRH]

Hmmm MrXLA - you've obviously never had your jaw stuck open. Bl@@dy painful and distressing!!!

[Aprilis]

I'm so glad you posted this lainiej, I had the same thing happen to me yesterday. I woke up like it. After eating my lunch (with a struggle to start with) it was ok again. Obviously it must have righted itself while I was trying to chew.

[MrXLA]

A GP may think of a number of things (depebding on the history and presentation):
- Is it 'lax' ligaments in the tempromandibular joint allowing the articular disc to displace anteriorly over the articular eminence?
- Is this tempromandibular joint dysfunction syndrome?
- is it a local manifestation of a rheumatoid condition?
- is it due to bruxism/parafunctional activity perhaps induced or excerbated by stress?
- is it due to internal derangement of the relationship between the glenoid fossa, articular disc and condyle?
- is it due to a dengerative/osteoarthrosis?
- is it due to unbalanced occlusion?
- Is it secondary to trauma recent or previous?
- Is it induced my masetteric hypertrophy on one side?

Or they won't consider any of the above becuase they've no training in this area and have the rest of the body to deal with, without being bothered by conditions affecting the orofacial region.

[MrXLA]

No I have never had tempromandibular joint dislocation, trismus, open lock, closed lock etc....
Met plenty of people that have though

[josie48]

Mr XLA is I think,a dentist .SRH:-)

[josie48]

Oops we posted at the same time Mr XLA!

[MrXLA]

yes we did josie hope you are well

[josie48]

Im fine thanks Mr X, Joints a bit creaky but hey, Im almost 60,and you?

[MrXLA]

Very well thanks, tiny bit younger than you so joints okay at the moment except for right knee when running
Off to bed to get some much required rest
Oh and I draw on more than one source/person/profession's for information so can't really be thought of as a single entity on here

[stonekicker]

or have you been smacked in the chops recently?

[josie48]

Well your advice is very good. Try Tiger balm for that knee! Sleep well zzzzzzzzzz

[stonekicker]

the only reason i ask is because a colleague of mine was assaulted the other day (we are nurses) and now his jaw cracks likes a bottle of bubbly when he yawns

[Whickerman]

I had that for about a month. Felt it click out during - don't laugh - an 'intimate' moment with mrs. whicker. Had xrays etc, no help in the hospital. Thankfully it went away (some years ago). Was worse in the morning than later, couldn't close my mouth without 'positioning' the lower jaw.