lock jaw

[ronnie963]

this has never happened before but for the last 2 days my jaw has locked a few times a day, its not painful just uncomfortable and usually last around 20 minutes. Why does this happen and does anybody know how to fix it quicker.

[smudge]

I have had this too ronnie - my dentist told me it was because I grind my teeth in my sleep & that my jaw is slightly out of alignment.

I had a small lower teeth guard made to wear at night & it has certainly helped.

Good luck.

[gammaray]

may be a pre curser to bells pawlsey.

[lola jax]

I too had problems with my jaw locking and clicking it was especially painful when I ate chewy foods and it would be very uncomfortable when I lied on my side in bed. I found out it was linked to fact that my wisdom teeth were coming through and were affecting the alignment of my jaw. Its apparently known as 'trismas'. It has now rectified itself and is more or less back to normal just with the occasional click, hope yours sorts itself out too.

[stylinsam]

this happened to my boyfriend and it seems it was a pre curser for bells pawlsey the left side of his face went all droopy but fortunatly it went better in a couple of weeks its asually there for the rest of your life id go and see a doctor hope this helpsxxxx

[Lonnie]

Forgive me for being pendantic, but Lockjaw is another name for Tetanus, Now, a Locked Jaw--------------------------

[smudge]

Well my locking jaw was nothing to with anything other than what I mentioned in my first post - my jaw being slightly out of alignment & grinding my teeth in my sleep. My face never drooped with it & never led to anything sinister!

Everyone's different though, so please make an appointment to see your dentist or GP ronnie - if only to put your mind at rest..

[ronnie963]

thank you all but now i am more worried :-0

but i do think lola jax is right as i do have a wisdom tooth coming through anyway i,m at the dentist with my son tommorow so i,ll just ask if this could be the problem

i,ll let you know what happens

[crisgal]

i had this once, it went away on it's own.My husband said it's caused through too much talking!!

[Kay]

ronnie963. You could have TMJ/ Temporomandibula Joint. I have this along with Bruxism (Tooth Grinding).TMJ consists of facial pain sometimes with swelling,headaches and jaw locking. Its to do with the small joints in front of the ears. I had a Bells Palsy attack 3 years ago but did'nt have TMJ beforehand. If you're still worried see your gp. Good luck.

[smudge]

Thank you FINA - I forgot to mention that the consultant at the hospital said that the name for my ailment is TMJ.

I also mentioned TMJ on someone elses thread some months back.

[smudge]

This is the other thread I was referring to on TMJ

[Kay]

Hi smudge, I expect your consultant assured you that TMJ is quite common as is Bruxism which I had pre Bells Palsy unlike TMJ:--)

[smudge]

Hi FINA - yes he did tell me it is quite common.

You wonder all sorts of things when you get pains anywhere in the head! In most cases, they usually turn out to be nothing much to worry about though!

Where's the sun & the birds today?!!!!

[smudge]

P.S. Hope your symptoms of pre Bell's Palsy soon disappeared & that you are now feeling much better FINA. -x-

[Kay]

Hi smudge,Sorry, I've only just read your replies. Yes we do tend to worry about pains etc which at the time we know nothing about,I do at least! My Bells attack occured following a small rash on my left shoulder which was queried as shingles. Im fine now thanks but I have sinus problems BP related and my ear still aches but not that much. Its been raining here (Cardiff) all day:-(. x