Help! Partially locked jaw

[JawJaw]

After years of clicking and temporarily locking, my jaw locked on Saturday morning and has stuck there. I can speak but can’t open my mouth any wider than that, so I can only consume liquid and can’t brush my teeth.

Yesterday I spoke to 111 and got a call back from a doctor who said I should go to A and E. I did this, was sent to urgent care, waited a couple of hours before being spoken to in a very dismissive way by a doctor who said there was nothing they could do, that I should see a dentist. The acute dental clinics in our local hospitals no longer have walk in care, they take referrals only. I called 111 again and had a call back from a dentist who said I should look on line to find exercises to reset the jaw myself, that there was nothing a dentist could do. I have tried this but it is painful and does not seem like a safe approach.

I am really upset and angry that I have been unable to get help (and that there seems to be no agreed approach to what must be quite a common issue). It also feels really weird and it is horrible not being able to eat or brush my teeth. I have called my dentist today and asked the receptionist if he could call back to advise me but got the impression he might not have time to do this.

I am at a loss what to do and feeling quite helpless. Any advice?

Could you enquire with a physio, a chiropractor or an acupuncturist? I think it's to do with muscle tension than the mechanism of the jaw...

Thanks for the reply. Long term I think it would be a good idea to have a series of treatments with the kind of therapists you suggest as it is clearly a chronic issue and probably related to stress causing tension in my jaw. However, right now at this moment it is definitely acute and has caused an actual displacement which needs fixing asap so that I can eat! It seems extraordinary that the nhs has nothing to offer.

If you are still unable to open your mouth and unable to eat then back to A&E. The ENT and maxillo facial teams will be around now it is a weekday to advise A&E so ask for a senior/second opinion if they try and fob you off, it sounds like you have lock jaw and need some medication to relax the muscles.

I would see a physio, I've seen one for similar issues and it fixed the problem pretty quickly.

I seen someone on TikTok who had a locked jaw and they gave her muscle relaxer and got her jaw free.

You need to go back to a&e, ask for another opinion if someone says the same

@MrsPelligrinoPetrichor thanks for your reply.

How do you get to see a physio fairly urgently though?

I've had this and I really feel for you. Mine usually frees up on its own or sometimes by clasping my hands together in front of my chest, shaking them back and forth while making a continuous ah sound. Beyond that, a physio should be able to help you or as someone else said, a muscle relaxant. You may have to actually tell a doctor what to do in terms of prescribing a muscle relaxant, most of them neither understand nor know how to deal with the issue.

Thanks so much for the replies.

I problem with seeing a physio or a doctor is, how?! Maybe my area is particularly bad but the only access to any medical care here is via A and E, which has already told me they can’t help.

The reality is you will have to get a private physio.

I've had this before, it was great for my diet ... dentist prescribed me diazepam very short term, and that sorted it.

Thanks all. I have realised that indeed my only option is a private physiotherapist and am doing my best to find one. This particular issue seems to be a huge growth area as far as private treatment is concerned. I’m sure private TMJ therapy is very beneficial but I am also sure that in the past most doctors and dentists would have had the time (and empathy) required to sort it out quickly for their patients. Instead it’s become a lucrative specialised business. Such a shame. My jaw’s still been locked since Saturday and it’s going to cost me a lot of travelling and money (none of the specialist physios are near me).

The plus side I guess is that I had been meaning to do a juice/soup fast for a while.

I've had this and it released after a few hours and I admit alcohol on my gp friends suggestion.

My friend went to A&E with this problem and they fixed it for her (I'm not sure what they did - manipulated it I think). As a previous poster said it could be worth returning to A&E now it's a weekday and specialists should be available. I can understand if you don't want to spend more time there though, in which case it'll have to be a private physio. Good luck!

I saw one privately, they're about £50-70. You might only need a couple of sessions.

Hello OP, still stuck? My hubby is a retired maxillo -f surgeon. We've been married some 30 odd years so I know just about as much as him. Haha.
He would kill me if he heard me offering advice but here is what he used to say: Put a hand on each jaw , and while keeping your jaw relaxed, pull down gently and backwards - towards your neck. Then while keeping your jaw down, bring your lower jaw and chin as far forward as possible . Hold it there for a few moments, then relax completely. This should release it.
Hope this helps!

@MrsPelligrinoPetrichor my dentist put me in touch with a physiotherapist and I saw her yesterday. You’re right, it was £50. I had a very vigorous and pleasant massage which released a lot of tension, though not in my jaw. Jaw is still stuck.

@Whataretalkingabout thanks, I’m sure that procedure would fix it. However I am reluctant to do it on myself and can’t find anyone else to do it for me!

Go back to A&E. Tell them to at no one else will see you and this is affecting your ability to eat and the pain is affecting your sleep. You probably need a muscle relaxant.

You need a speech and language therapist.

I'd say you need an urgent dental appointment or go back to A&E and insist on max fac or dentist seeing you.

It's actually quite serious.. imagine if you were to vomit.