Locked jaw? ?

Question

Hi, this sounds quite strange but this morning I did a really big yawn, as my mouth opened wide, my jaw became stiff and 'locked'.

This is quite hard to explain, but I moved my jaw outwards and it 'unlocked'.

I've never had this happen before and it has happened twice today.

I wear retainers at night, I had braces when I was 15 and the dentist recommended I continue wearing them at night because I apparently grind my teeth!

I have good dental hygiene and always brush the back teeth as much as I do the front.

It doesn't hurt at all, it doesn't hurt when it locks or unlocks either. There is no swelling. I went to the dentist a few weeks ago for a yearly check-up and the dentist said my teeth were "perfect" and that they "don't need anything doing to them".

I've tried to do a bit of research on the net, but can't find anything useful.

Anyone got any ideas what it is + why it happens?

I'll phone the dentist tomorrow anyway and see if I should go in to get it checked over, just looking for 'pre-advice'!

Thanks.

Answer 1

silence is  golden

speech is silver

please write me your email

Answer 2

That's TMJ. Temporomandibular joint (I think that's how you spell it). I suffer with that, too.

Answer 3

Dear you don't have to worry much about it, it happens due to wide opening of mouth. only the thing is you should know how to place it back. when you go to your dentist ask him the method to place it back to normal. and yes off course you have to keep a little stress free life so watch on that. using night guards  are fine please do continue with that. keep smiling ( pl. don't laugh a loud )

Answer 4

I get something similar quite a lot - the muscle in the centre under my jaw (sort of below the tongue) locks & sticks out a little. Hurts quite a bit, but just by rotating my jaw for a while it eases up & is fine a minute or so later. I think it's just the muscle getting pulled slightly incorrectly & nothing to worry about...

Is this the same sort of thing?

Answer 5

I think i have the same as you. It's on the right side of my face. I'll try and explain. It's like when i open my mouth there is a hinge which locks but if i keep opening my mouth or wiggle my jaw around a bit it unhinges and makes a kind of cracking noise? Is that it or am i barking up the wrong tree???

Answer 6

i get it too but mine is very severe doctors say live with it i trying to get other help i proper flip doing it till it hurts so much i cant do it no more hope we both find answer so sorry i cant help but we not alone now r we i thought i was proper freak

Answer 7

hey, I have had the samething but when I went to my dentist they gave me a plastic mouth bite and I had to wear it day and night cos my jaw did keep on locking when it first happened I was scared and I ran to the dentist and she helped me to get it back into place again, so then she decided to fit me with one of these mouth braces.

It worked but I got fed up with wearing them and I have not had any problems at all cos it does sound horrible when it first happens with the clicking.

Good Luck

Answer 8

Hi there. I have the exact same problem as you. It has nothing to do with braces or retainers as i have never had one or anything like that. It is caused by an overextension of the jaw bone. When your jaw bone travels past the angle its aloud to pivot on your skull usually around 45 degrees the jaw muscles are being stretched. Think about when you stretch your leg or your arm if it hurts it usually means your stretching too far. As far as im aware the problem cannot be fixed which sucks i know because it is painful. Hope that helps

Answer 9

I currently have braces, and my jaw locks when I yawn also. Usually the locking is caused from your jaw being moved by the braces, into its correct position. Since you no longer have braces, maybe the retainer you are wearing is moving your jaw slightly? Either way, the jaw locking is usually not a big deal and happens to alot of people. I would still call the dentist though and just make sure its nothing out of the ordinary.

Answer 10

well technically u suffer from temporomandibular joint disorder. a big factor, i wud assume, is ur night grinding. basically the joints articulation is compromised giving u the "clicking", which eventually wud cause the lock jaw.

eventhough no pain is felt, u should get it check to ur dentist or better yet to a TMJ specialist. a splint or some sort of therapy might be recommended.

well as for now, just keep it mellow and limit ur jaw opening! :)