My jaw dislocates when ever I open my mouth to much, weather it be from a yawn or trying to eat a big burger, there's no pain or popping when it happens, i can close my jaw again by rocking it left then closing it as usual but i can't by just closing it straight up and down. Is this TMJ and is there anything i can do to stop it from dislocating so often?
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Possible TMJ
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Featured Answer
2 UpVoted this answer
To clarify terminology TMJ means "temporomandibular joint" which is the name of the joint between the upper and lower jaws. TMD means "temporomandibular disorder" meaning something that is incorrect with that joint. There is a small disc (made of cartilage) that sits in the joint between the upper and lower jaw. This disc allows the lower jaw to move smoothly forward. In many patients it will dislocated slightly out of place. When it goes back into position you may get a click or pop. Some people experience nothing like yourself. In some patients the disc will block the opening or closing of the lower jaw and lock open or closed (or both). Usually manipulation will allow closure. Typically there is no significant treatment that will correct the dislocation. However avoiding excess opening will often avoid the locking. As was mentioned small bites, soft foods, ibuprofen to decrease the inflammation. I will also recommend alternating hot and cold compresses.
2 UpVoted this answer
This is a common occurrence for a lot of people. Over time, it will likely get better. I advise my patients to treat it like a sports injury: Go easy on it (soft foods, small bites); warm compresses or heat on the joint; take ibuprofen to reduce swelling.
The American diet is loaded with massive sizes of food that are way too big for most human beings. Take smaller bites and smaller portions as a first step. If teh problem persists or becomes painful, see a dentist for further diagnosis.
One question: were you ever hit in the face (jaw) or do you play contact sports? This would be an obvious cause of damage and swelling.
best,
Dr. Rick Liftig
The American diet is loaded with massive sizes of food that are way too big for most human beings. Take smaller bites and smaller portions as a first step. If teh problem persists or becomes painful, see a dentist for further diagnosis.
One question: were you ever hit in the face (jaw) or do you play contact sports? This would be an obvious cause of damage and swelling.
best,
Dr. Rick Liftig
1 UpVoted this answer
Everyone has a temporomandibular joint this is know the TMJ. When someone has an issue with their TMJ is know as Temporomandibular Joint Disease or TMD. Inflammation of the disc can lead to some of the issues you are having. Naproxen seems to work better than Advil when the disc is inflamed to help with this issue. You should seek an oral health care professional about this issue. A nightguard might be something that oral health care professional recommends for you. There are different types of issues that a patient with TMD can start to have, if steps are not taken now to help correct the issue sooner than later. Seek professional help and follow up regularly with your dentist/ oral specialist.
1 UpVoted this answer
Dear patient,
I am sorry to hear that you expereince difficulties with your joint.
Yes, based on your complants I agree that there must be changes in your joint that are allowing for the " dislication" to happen.
Most of the patient starts with complants of popping or clicking of their jaw. As long as the your concerns is not associated with patient though you should not be that concern.
What I believe will be beneficial is to find if you grind or clench if you sleep. That should be addressed with a nightguard that can protect your jaw joint from overload.
Avoiding using chewing gum for extended period of time will reduce the stretching of the lifaments give stability to your jaw joint as well.
Hope those two advise will help you feel better.
Best,
Cvetan Mechev, DDS
your La Mesa dentist
I am sorry to hear that you expereince difficulties with your joint.
Yes, based on your complants I agree that there must be changes in your joint that are allowing for the " dislication" to happen.
Most of the patient starts with complants of popping or clicking of their jaw. As long as the your concerns is not associated with patient though you should not be that concern.
What I believe will be beneficial is to find if you grind or clench if you sleep. That should be addressed with a nightguard that can protect your jaw joint from overload.
Avoiding using chewing gum for extended period of time will reduce the stretching of the lifaments give stability to your jaw joint as well.
Hope those two advise will help you feel better.
Best,
Cvetan Mechev, DDS
your La Mesa dentist
I have the same problem except that it's really painful for me.
You should not worry too much about that issue. Your way of getting the lower jaw to close seems fine. In case you can't get it close someone else should grab both side of the lower jaw, push downward and slide backwards and it will pop back into place. In your case it seems only one side dislocated so that side of the jaw should be pushed down and back to get back into the correct position. In the meantime, take smaller bites and you will be fine. Under no circumstances you should let anyone (so called TMJ doctors) try to access your TMJ joint at this point in time.
Peter Merai DDS, FAGD.
Peter Merai DDS, FAGD.
To clarify terminology TMJ means "temporomandibular joint" which is the name of the joint between the upper and lower jaws. TMD means "temporomandibular disorder" meaning something that is incorrect with that joint. There is a small disc (made of cartilage) that sits in the joint between the upper and lower jaw. This disc allows the lower jaw to move smoothly forward. In many patients it will dislocated slightly out of place. When it goes back into position you may get a click or pop. Some people experience nothing like yourself. In some patients the disc will block the opening or closing of the lower jaw and lock open or closed (or both). Usually manipulation will allow closure. Typically there is no significant treatment that will correct the dislocation. However avoiding excess opening will often avoid the locking. As was mentioned small bites, soft foods, ibuprofen to decrease the inflammation. I would also recommend alternating hot and cold compresses.
This may be a chronic issue that you would have to manage by limiting how wide you open and biting foods in smaller portions. Since you are able to get it back in closed position, it is unlikely you'll run into emergency issues with your jaw being locked open. I would recommend you see a dentist to get your TMJ evaluated but this may just be something you have to manage carefully for the rest of your life.