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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask for your jaw related advice/experience!

29 replies

flamingofridays · 06/02/2019 19:57

My jaw will not open fully. I can eat soft foods and can fit a teaspoon in my mouth. Biting things hurts, chewing also hurts. I physically cannot yawn. (A lot more frustrating than you realise until you can no longer do it!)

Its been like this since sunday morning when i woke up. Was fine night before. I occasionally have clicks etc but this has never happened before.

Feels like its out of place on one side. Apparently, its not and ive got TMJ which according to the doctor i can do nothing about and it will go away on its own.

Its been 3 days and i am going out of my mind. Has anyone had this and can advise if anything helped? How long until it went away?

Thanks!

OP posts:
Thecatsatemychristmastree · 06/02/2019 20:06

Yep TMJ dysfunction sufferer here, had it for over 10 years, it used to be really bad like yours.
The only thing the doctor advised was a mouth guard to use at night, I got one fitted by the dentist but could never sleep with it in so gave up.
It just ended up slowly getting better as time went on and now hardly clicks or jars.
I don't have any advice I'm afraid but I can empathize. Hope it gets better soon.

Dmacka75 · 06/02/2019 20:08

You're better off going to see a Dentist for TMJ issues

DulciUke · 06/02/2019 20:11

I have TMJ, though not anywhere near your extreme. I use a mouthguard at night and have no problems now.

I got one fitted by the dentist but could never sleep with it in so gave up. It just goes to show how people are different--I've gotten to the point that I no longer can get to sleep without it!

FadedRed · 06/02/2019 20:13

Heat can help. An infra-Red lamp for a few minutes several times a day, even a wheat pack/warm hot water bottle can ease some of the worst symptoms. Anti inflammatory pain medicines like ibuprofen ( if you can take it) can help also. Soft foods for a few days,, then gentle exercise as it improves.
Sometime caused or exacerbated by uneven bite, so seeing your dentist is the best thing to do, rather than your GP.

longtimelurkerhelen · 06/02/2019 20:27

How about seeing a Chiropractor?

Original poster
flamingofridays · 06/02/2019 20:44

Thanks all. Will pop a hot water bottle on it of an evening.

I have to admit im terrified of the dentist saying that i did mention that i clench my teeth at night to him and he seemed entirely unconcerned as my teeth were fine.

What would a chiropractor do out of interest?

OP posts:
Notreallyhavingitall · 06/02/2019 20:45

Hi! I've suffered from this for years. Often it will just 'pop' back to normal but it's worth gently messaging your face just in front of your ears kind of where you feel like your jaw joins together. I find that 20 minutes or so of that often does the trick. Good luck!

eyeoresancerre · 06/02/2019 20:52

My Mictimoney chiropractor helped me so much. Gentle manipulation rather than the more forceful usual chiropractor.
Went every week for a month, the fortnightly for a month then once a month then haven't been back for years. I also do massage/rubbing of the area every night and that helps a bit.
Really sorry you're going through it - it's really upsetting.

CookieWarbler · 06/02/2019 20:53

Watching with interest. I've occasionally had a clicky jaw and last week went for a sports massage at a new place. I left being hardly unable to close and reopen my jaw! I'd been pummlled so vigorously that my jaw was obviously continuously jarred against the opening you put your face into on the massage table! I had no idea until after it finished. It's been a week and I still can't open my mouth fully and hurts to bite down.
My sympathy OP, yours sounds horrible. I've been massaging in front of my ears and trying to exercise my jaw but more difficult than it sounds!

Bluebell878275 · 06/02/2019 21:11

I had a similar problem. Doctor had no idea so I went to the dentist instead. He pushed on the upper side of my mouth and it was agony! He said it was actually a common issue and he gave me a printed A4 sheet of jaw exercises..cleared up within a couple of days.

Original poster
flamingofridays · 06/02/2019 21:16

Will look into chiropractors! Thanks!

Will also try massage. And will google jaw exercises

Doctor said it was common but she was running late and clearly just wanted rid of me. I said to her about 3 times "but i cant eat properly" and she just seemed entirely unconcerned.

I appreciate it sounds a bit like something and nothing but its really getting me down and its SO NICE to get some feedback from people who have dealt with it and some real advice! Flowers for everyone who has to deal with this bloody issue!!

OP posts:
Notreallyhavingitall · 06/02/2019 21:25

Also do look into getting a mouth guard fitted to wear at night. It might help to take some pressure off if you do clench in your sleep. Again, wishing you luck.

neverhadanymarblestolose · 06/02/2019 21:38

I somehow injured my TMJ last year. Dentist diagnosed it and my doctor prescribed naproxen after a week of me only being able to eat liquid foods, as it was so painful to chew.
Naproxen took the edge off the pain. Think it was about 3-4 weeks before the pain totally went.

Not happened since, but a few times since then, I've felt twinges, so have been careful not to eat extra chewy foods when it happens.

Rememberyourhat · 06/02/2019 21:42

Mine got better as I got older! I used to suffer badly though a dentist found nothing.

I wonder now whether it was stress because I don’t give a damn anymore!

WorriedJu · 06/02/2019 21:53

I've had this in the past. My dentist said it was caused by had clenching and teeth grinding in my sleep.
At viewpoint he said my muscles in my jaw were solid and the worst he had ever seen in 40 years!!

He injected some local into my jaw and massaged it. Got me a mouth guard made and prescribed 2mg of Diazepam as a muscle relaxant. Eventually it eased.
Last week first time in 3 years I thought I had an ear or neck gland infection with a horrendous pain in my ear throat neck and jaw. My bite had changed too. I coykd not bite food at all. Paracetamol not touching it. So I've just dug out my old mouth guard, sterilized it with Milton and slept with it in last night.
I also found some old but just in date Diazepam 2mg. So dosed up on that, ibuprofen and paracetamol. I finally slept.
Today has been better but its still there . I will sleep with the guard tonight but no diazepam tonight as up at 4am for work.
I hoping this will help but recomnend Dentist over GP from my experience. Although I did see an episode of GPS Behined Closed Doors where they referred one lady to MaxFax Surgeons to see what they could do to help her TMJ!!

Original poster
flamingofridays · 07/02/2019 09:30

I tried some jaw exercises last night. Doesn't feel as bad today, still cant bite/yawn/etc

however, it went back to normal for about two mins this morning. Went with an almighty click and I thought "YESSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!" and then it popped back out again and I cant get it to go back now. I don't know what I did, it happened as I woke up.

Will try more jaw exercises today.

OP posts:
goldpendant · 07/02/2019 09:34

When I first got TMJ at the tender age of 15, this was how it started. It took weeks to get better. No hard foods, not too much talking, a mouth splint for bed time, and lots of pain killers. It's never been that bad again since but it was miserable.

Hope you feel better soon.

AyoadesChinDimple · 07/02/2019 09:41

I've been off work with jaw related problems since November. I've been diagnosed with various things through that time including trigeminal neuralgia, saliva gland infection and finally TMJD. I've had pain the whole time. Seen a neurologist and a maxillofacial surgeon and am awaiting results of a recent MRI. I have various symptoms including clicking and only being able to eat soft food and chew on the unaffected side. My main issue has been pain and I'm actually on epilepsy drugs for it at the moment with a view to moving to amitriptyline.
I just wanted to advise you what the maxillofacial surgeon said as they are the TMJD experts. They have referred me for physio and are considering giving me BOTOX injection in the muscle to relax it. They have said it is the way stress comes out in a lot of women my age (40) who have busy jobs and children etc. They have advised heat can help and a splint on the bottom jaw (my dentist gave me one for my upper jaw and it didn't help) they cost around £100 to be made.
I am considering acupuncture and am aiming to get back into Pilates as I find that relieved stress in the past.
It's probably obvious but avoid overly chewy food and use anti inflammatories like naproxen or ibuprofen.
There are some exercises for this condition which you can find on YouTube.
I hope you improve soon.

SausageSimon · 07/02/2019 09:43

When I couldn't open my jaw it turned out I had been grinding my teeth in my sleep due to stress and I'd wake up in agony with it. Eventually it got that bad I couldn't open my mouth very well and I had to break food into tiny pieces and force it through the gap and then I could chew normally once it was in Grin it was bizarre!

A gum shield was what corrected it for me OP, hope you get sorted soon

cobblett36 · 07/02/2019 09:49

My DM bless her heart lost 3 stone because of this, she was on a liquid diet for months. It's definitely TMJ, I also get it but not that badly and one exercise I can recommend is; put your thumbs under your ears and your fingers on top of your head. Your thumbs need to go where you feel the jaw bone meet your ear kind of thing. Gently massage that area and gradually open your mouth. Another is place your tongue on the roof of your mouth and push your mouth open using your tongue it's a very strong muscle.

I really hope you get some relief soon and please see a dentist! Also amongst the people who had a mouth guard fitted, it's £100 there abouts, more expensive on the NHS so go private. I can't sleep with mine in, but will wear it on particularly bad days. It's a horrible ache and I really sympathise! Cake and Flowers for you OP. X

Original poster
flamingofridays · 08/02/2019 11:14

I can so understand how your poor DM lost 3 stone cobblett

its exhausting trying to eat anything as it still hurts to bite and im taking tiny mouse sized bites so its taking me ages,

had (incredibly soggy!) Weetabix for breakfast yesterday, took me about half hour to eat half of it and then I gave up!

going away tonight too so I shall take my hot water bottle and plenty of pain killers (Aren't I going to be fun!)
will keep doing exercises and hopefully it will bugger off.

Will try and see a dentist when I get back.

OP posts:
Abitlost2015 · 08/02/2019 11:17

I think you are describing trismus. If your GP has not been helpful i’d try a dentist

Whitney168 · 08/02/2019 11:19

I had this (trismus) after some dental work last year. My GP gave me diazepam, and it went after a few doses as I remember.

It is indeed very frustrating not being able to yawn properly, let alone the food thing.

moreismore · 08/02/2019 11:26

Your TMJ joint is sort of like a hinge with a little floating disc on top. When the muscles around the joint are out of balance it doesn’t open and close smoothly and the disc can get ‘stuck’-that’s the click you felt. Massage relaxed the muscles and it was briefly unstuck hence you could open again. I would also suggest a chiropractor (I know a maxillofacial surgeon who recommends his mild TMD cases to a chiropractor) Bear in mind that often the cause is something more chronic like teeth grinding so you may need other things to help more long term, or simply occasional treatment to stay on top of it. Stick to soft foods for a good few weeks and never ever chew gum!

hastingsmua1 · 08/02/2019 11:31

I had Botox - it’s an absolute game changer, however I did have side effects so don’t rush into getting it.

Essentially you need to give your masseter muscles a break. This means taking pain killers (ibuprofen gel is handy), eating very soft and easy to consume food - bread for example would be a no as it’s chewy.

This might sound harrowing but avoid smiling and making extreme facial movements for a day or so, even speaking less would help because you need to give your muscles a desperate break - your muscles are overworked and need to rest and unfortunately day to day mouth movements can strain your muscles further. This is why Botox is really useful.