Jaw pops and locks open and kills to close?! Help PLZ!?!


Question: So here's the problem. For about a year I've been having it. Whenever I move my jaw or open my mouth, I have this weird thing happen where I hear a popping noise and feel it like, disclocate. I talked to my dentist about it and held my jaw real tight and told me to "make" it happen. I didn't get that for 2 reasons. 1) It just randomly happens. 2) He was holding it so I couldn't. He suggested it was just too much gum-chewing. I thought so too, because I went through a pack of gum in one morning, which about 2-3 sticks in at once (sugarless). I had this habit for 1 1/2 years, which I quit about half a year ago. I haven't had any gum since then (2 sticks or so of sugarless). I had the same popping problem occassionaly, and my orthodontist said it was probably from clenching my teeth, which is another of my bad habits. So just recently, it pops anytime I even swallow (a lot). This morning, though, when I got to school, it popped, and I tried closing my mouth, but it wouldn't close (cont.)


Answers: So here's the problem. For about a year I've been having it. Whenever I move my jaw or open my mouth, I have this weird thing happen where I hear a popping noise and feel it like, disclocate. I talked to my dentist about it and held my jaw real tight and told me to "make" it happen. I didn't get that for 2 reasons. 1) It just randomly happens. 2) He was holding it so I couldn't. He suggested it was just too much gum-chewing. I thought so too, because I went through a pack of gum in one morning, which about 2-3 sticks in at once (sugarless). I had this habit for 1 1/2 years, which I quit about half a year ago. I haven't had any gum since then (2 sticks or so of sugarless). I had the same popping problem occassionaly, and my orthodontist said it was probably from clenching my teeth, which is another of my bad habits. So just recently, it pops anytime I even swallow (a lot). This morning, though, when I got to school, it popped, and I tried closing my mouth, but it wouldn't close (cont.)

I second the suggestion to go for a TMJ specialist. Make sure you have good medical insurance. TMJ reconstructions start at about $50,000, if I am not mistaken. Hopefully they can find a way to help you without surgery.

Go to an oral surgeon. Sounds like TMJ .Sometimes they can fix it with (hospital) surgery to adjust the upper or lower jaw.

It sounds like a TMJ (teparal-mandibular joint) problem. Ask your dentist for a recommendation for a TMJ specialist.

I have the same problem had it for about a year now, havent really done anything about it and now i get bad neck pains. My jaw always locks in place and makes a strange popping, grinding noise. Its also extremely painful to open my mouth wide on some occasions.

My son had to get a night guard that goes over his front teeth to prevent him from clenching and grinding his teeth in his sleep. That causes tremendous stress on your jaw bone and can cause headaches.
I would find another dentist for another opinion.

that must suck!!! go to your doctor, if it is still stuck go to the emergency room. the dentist and ortho cant really do anything about that. they wouldnt really know, tell your doc, also tell him that you had consulted w/ them but you werent sure of what was up. i really dont think its cause of the gum. i have been chewing gum for years now. and i have no problems!





The consumer health information on answer-health.com is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for any medical conditions.
The answer content post by the user, if contains the copyright content please contact us, we will immediately remove it.
Copyright © 2007-2011 answer-health.com -   Terms of Use -   Contact us

Health Categories