DD’s mouth can’t open wide without her jaw hurting

[Tarchie]

My teenage DD has been complaining most of the evening that she can’t open her mouth with her jaw really hurting. She couldn’t even eat her dinner properly. I’ve given her some painkillers but I wondered if anyone knew why this was happening and what I can do to help her.

Has she dislocated her jaw? Mine did after dental surgery, it was so painful and it took a long time to recover. If she’s fallen / hit her head / been in a tackle in sport it may be possible?

Could be wisdom teeth, ear infection, toothache, mumps.

When I couldn't open my mouth it was wisdom teeth coming in. Not sure why it was restricting jaw movement but it was, it really bloody hurt. Had them out under sedation, it was wonderful

I have TMJ problems which started in my mid-teens.

www.nhs.uk/conditions/temporomandibular-disorder-tmd/

Sounds like a tmj flare up. Does she clench her jaw when stressed? A dentist will be able to tell if she is grinding her teeth while sleeping which also causes flare ups. It does settle after a few days but I would see a dentist or gp to see if it is this so it can be managed. Ibuprofen can help along with relaxation.

Has she had a tetanus jab recently?

When I was a teenager I did a massive yawn and my jaw clicked. It hurt for weeks afterwards, especially when I opened my mouth. The upshot of several different referrals was that I had sprained my jaw, it still clicks when I’m eating nearly 30 years later.

I blame a particularly boring college lecture!

I had that after a trip to the dentist. Very painful. I think something had got trapped when a filling was done.

She is autistic and is very stressed much of the time. We have a dentist appointment next week so, if it hasn’t gone, I’ll mention it then. Tetanus is up to date thankfully. I’m very grateful to everyone on MN who have taken the time to reply, it makes me feel like people care when so often in RL they don’t. 🌸

I was coming on to say what @delilahbucket said

@Tarchie
Try a soft diet like mash potatoes, well cooked pasta, soup and fish for a few days and if she is ok try taking some ibuprophen if she's ok to have it, it's the best painkiller for dental issues and muscular problems. And maybe try holding a hot/cold compress on the side of her jaw if she'll let you. If she cannot open it more than two finger widths ring then back and get an emergency appointment

Has she had braces? Following orthodontic treatment in my teens to bring my lower jaw forward my jaw now frequently clicks, can get stuck in/ out of position and generally ache and can be very uncomfortable.

I’ve given her liquid ibuprofen as she doesn’t like to swallow tablets. Her lower jaw is set back too far and does actually require orthodontic treatment and/or surgery but her autism pushes anxiety through the roof so we’ve been advised to leave things for now. I don’t think this pain is related to her existing jaw position as she’s in her teens and never had this before. I’m certainly leaning towards it being stress related or TMJ. She has so much to deal with already and I don’t want her to have anything else :(

During my exams at uni I was, so stressed I ground my teeth so much I seized my jaw so I couldn't open my mouth so it might just be muscle strain

Sounds like Tmj. Mines horrendous tonight and I've had to put my teeth guard in to stop my jaw clenching

Matbe you should call the dentist in the morning if it can wait till the next appointment. I had this with a jaw abces. After two days I could only eat through a straw.

I had it a few days after a filling. I went to see one of the other dentists at the practice who checked the bite and the filling and he reckoned I might have strained a muscle yawning. It did ease up after a few days but I had to essentially ‘post’ small bits of food into my mouth.

I get arthritis in my tmj and it can be really painful. Dentists are usually very knowledgeable about this joint and mine knew more than my consultant rheumatologist, so it's great she's got an appointment coming up. Try a small amount of ibuprofen gel massaged in thoroughly where her cheekbone meets her ear. I also found a hot water bottle held firmly against my jaw really soothing. Also massaging the temples can help because the ligaments get stretched which causes headaches. Hope she's better soon.

Wisdom teeth?

Given her age, wisdom teeth coming in are pretty likely. I had to have mine removed.

Might be a dislocated jaw. Take her to the doctors asap.

When my anxiety is high I get a feeling like I can't open my jaw wide enough to get a 'satisfying' yawn and this sometimes feels achey or painful.
It can actually bring on a panic attack because it feels like it gets stuck wide open and I can't close my mouth

My long winded way of saying could it be anxiety related?

I didn't link it to anxiety for months but now I can recognise it it seems to pass quicker

I'm the same, sometimes it 'clicks back' for a while.

It's temperomandibular joint dysfunction. It can cause a pain like toothache but most of the time is not painful. However there can be difficulties so keep an eye on it. Sometimes the pain radiates down the neck to the shoulder.

My son has the same jaw problem (it's not hereditary, just a coincidence), and if he is has pain that doesn't go away he sees a chiropracter who puts it all right in no time.

Another one saying Wisdom teeth. Out of the blue I had 48 hours where I could not open my mouth properly. I remember trying to eat a roast dinner. Went back to normal for about 4 years until they all came out at a slant and had to come out. Which was easy.

We have a dentist appointment next week so, if it hasn’t gone, I’ll mention it then

She needs to be seen before next week.