Jaw not fitting together

[TheyAreDefinitelySwingers]

This is going to sound very stupid, but please bear with me as its true.

When I wake up in the morning my jaw is fine. As they day progresses something seems to happen to it.. (since I have pain in one side near my ear when I eat etc, I assume it's something to do with the muscle tensing up perhaps?).. And after being up for a few hours my jaw/teeth no longer fit together properly.

It's only started happening the last few days or so, but it's a horrible horrible feeling.

Anyone else had this? What is it?

[Justmuddlingalong]

I get this. It's a horrible panicky feeling isn't it? I'm putting it down to stress and possibly the fact that throughout lockdown my jaw's permanently chewing.

[SassenachWitch]

Oh my god, I could have written this.

I’ve had this happening for nearly 2 weeks now, left hand side, by my ear, can’t open my mouth fully without it hurting, and feel like I can’t put my teeth together properly. I’m also very aware of my jaw positioning, feel like I’m holding it in the wrong place and having to remember to relax it.

I’m putting mine down to stress, adding it to the list of other wonderful physical symptoms my anxiety causes me

[GenevaMaybe]

Most likely TMJ dysfunction which you can discuss with your dentist.

[fallfallfall]

yup temporal mandibular joint disorder (TMJ).

[TheyAreDefinitelySwingers]

Thank you all. Strangely it's OK today, but I took an ibuprofen this morning in case of any inflammation, so perhaps that has helped. I definitely clench my teeth a lot during the day. I don't even realise that I am doing it mostly, until I stop doing it. Very bad habit.

[burnoutbabe]

Yep have this, was seeing a physio pre lockdown for exercises and acupuncture.

[underneaththeash]

Is your vision okay OP? How old are you?

[NoLongerAnEasyTarget]

I have TMJ, sounds like itay be that. Some times one side of mouth locks up and I can't open it. It's like the muscle seizes.
Have to wear a guard at night to stop the grinding.
A mouth guard not a security dude.

[Soontobe60]

I've had this for many years. It's your TMJ. After lockdown, visit your dentist and they will refer you to the dental hospital. You probably need a mouth guard to wear at night.

[justanotherneighinparadise]

I have to wear a mouth guard each night because otherwise I clench my teeth on one side and throw my jaw out of alignment. It’s definitely TMJ and there are things that can help.

[burnoutbabe]

my dental hospital just said there was nothing they could do, i just needed to stop holding my jaw strangely.

Which i know but clearly i was holding it oddly for some reason and i need help to retrain it to be normal position again, they just said do physio - TMJ physios are £125per hour or so.

I also speak funny, like with a lisp. Has been fun now most work is via zoom. And chewing chewy food is hard. but on the plus side, lost a stone i needed to lose since it started after xmas.

Apparently it can just go away like it just started suddenly. its very annoying really.

[TheyAreDefinitelySwingers]

@underneaththeash

I have to wear glasses to read, but it's OK apart from that.. I'm 49..is it signalling something bad?