My jaw won't open!

[christdoinghisunspecifiedhobby]

What on earth do I do? My jaw has sort of seized up and I can only open my mouth a tiny bit. It's very difficult to eat (possibly a blessing in disguise). It's been like this since Monday and is painful if I try to open it properly. Ibuprofen hasn't helped at all.

Do I make an appointment with the GP or the dentist or what?

Have you been eating or drinking?

I'd ring gp or 111 and see what they say.

I would be getting an appointment wirh gp urgently, or calling 111 to ask them to advise. Cant believe youve left it since monday!

Have you tried taking strong decongestant? Maybe if you are very congested its inflamed other areas of your face?

My jaw locks a lot. Bite down as hard as you can for as long as you can and see if it releases the spasm (assuming that’s what’s causing it).

Decongestant? I don't feel congested at all.

I haven't had time to even think about going to the GP all week, I can still eat as long as I cut the food up very small so it didn't feel urgent and I assumed it would settle down. Drinking isn't a problem.

Sounds like you have TMJ also know as TMD that has lead to lock jaw.

You can see a dentist or a doctor, but you need to see someone. I would start with a doctor as there is also a small chance it is tetanus. Is you tetanus vaccination up to date and have you cut yourself on anything metal or dirty recently

Have you had a sore throat? I often get this when my glands swell up too much and it usually ends up being a throat abscess that needs hospital draining, but pls don't worry about this if you have no sore throat or temp as then it's more likely to be one or the things the other people up post have suggested

Blimey I never thought of tetanus! I don't remember ever having a tetanus shot, probably not since I was a child. I guess I'll give 111 a ring.

@kitkatsky

Have you had a sore throat? I often get this when my glands swell up too much and it usually ends up being a throat abscess that needs hospital draining, but pls don't worry about this if you have no sore throat or temp as then it's more likely to be one or the things the other people up post have suggested

Nope no sore throat, I feel absolutely fine apart from the jaw.

Just googled TMD and it suggests grinding might be a cause but I definitely don't grind my teeth, or clench my jaw. I have had a clicky jaw for a while though.

I had this and it was infected wisdom teeth coming through, dentist sorted with strong anti-biotitcs and referral to hospital for extraction under GA.

@doradoo

I had this and it was infected wisdom teeth coming through, dentist sorted with strong anti-biotitcs and referral to hospital for extraction under GA.

I've only got one wisdom tooth left the side it's locked on doesn't have any wisdom teeth. But I suppose it could be radiating from the other side.

I get this, usually wears off after a few hours, does your jaw click sometimes? If it's been quite a while call 111

Google TMD/TMJ (Temporo-mandibular disorder/joint). There are some PDF sheets that I can't manage to post a link to...There's a disc that can get a bit rough and sticky and all the muscles can tighten up around it. Anti inflammatory and gentle exercises can help but a dentist is probably the best bet.

How old are you? There could be a hundred things causing this.

You need to see a doctor

This happened to me when I had an impacted wisdom tooth.

www.healthline.com/health/tmj-exercises#exercise
I found these exercises really helped when I had a stiff jaw. Mine wasn’t locked completely though.

TMD, it’s such an awful thing. I can empathise OP, I have it in spells. I can’t even eat/chew when it’s at it worse I live on complan or slimfast shakes drunk via a straw.

Call 111 and get it checked. Immediately thought of lockjaw also.

When did it happen OP? See your Gp and in the meantime it may suddenly 'open'. Don't force it because it's very painful but keep trying to open the jaw as much as you comfortably can and move it side to side. Also, (easier said than done) try not to panic. It will make the muscle more tense.

I've had this (TMJ, teeth grinding). I was referred by the gp to maxillofacial who said they would manipulate my jaw under sedation. The appointment I got was 6 weeks away so I ended up going privately. The treatment was done under general anaesthetic and they also flushed out the jaw joint of debris (an arthrocentetis). It improved but things have never been the same since.

Hopefully you're doesn't require all this and unlocks soon.

@doradoo

I had this and it was infected wisdom teeth coming through, dentist sorted with strong anti-biotitcs and referral to hospital for extraction under GA.

Me too and I was just about to suggest this.

I had this and it was just a muscular thing which eased up and went away eventually. I went to the GP for it though, who prescribed Naproxen. I'd go to the GP asap.

Looking at youtube videos and googling, it sounds exactly like TMJ disc displacement and it says you need to see a specialist. I looked up the max fax department of the local hospital and it says waiting times are around 26 weeks. Hurrah.

I've booked a phone appointment with a GP for Thursday.

And get a tetanus vaccination while you are at it!

How are you feeling today OP @christdoinghisunspecifiedhobby I hope the pain it is easing off.

I had this. Too much chewing gum, it’s appalling for your jaws!

It unlocks itself, I didn’t need a specialist, painful when it clicks back into place.. You then need to be very careful to avoid it recurring. Never lean your chin in your hand, don’t have very chewy sweets ever again etc.
Hasn’t happened to me for years.

Bit scary when it happens but don’t panic! Longest I ever locked up for was a week.

I’d only seek medical help if you find it happens over and over.