Jaw problem?!
Question: ever since i was little, my jaw's been able to open wider than most people's. sometimes if i open it too wide and too fast, though, it makes a cracking sound and it hurts. at other times, it stiffens a little and i get scared to yawn and stuff in case i hurt it. any idea on what it is?
Answers: ever since i was little, my jaw's been able to open wider than most people's. sometimes if i open it too wide and too fast, though, it makes a cracking sound and it hurts. at other times, it stiffens a little and i get scared to yawn and stuff in case i hurt it. any idea on what it is?
previous poster is correct: TMJ, tempero-mandibular joint disease. It is a problem with the joint where the lower jaw meets the skull. Problems can be congenital, stress-related, caused by injury or disease or idiopathic. You need to be evaluated by an ENT and / or a dentist. If you grind your teeth or clench your jaws, a splint can be helpful. Stress reduction is encouraged. Any disease or injury is evaluated & either treated or managed. Often these measures plus heat, ice & exercises are enough to control the situation. In severe cases surgery is required.
tmj
Hi. I too have a whacked out jaw. It cracks and pops when I eat or open my mouth, especially when chewing gum. I have no idea what it is called. I asked my dentist if there was anything I could do about it and he said no. So I'm guessing based on what he told me that there is nothing we can do about it.