Clicking Jaw - any experts or experience please.

[MegGriffin]

My dd (11) has always had a clicking jaw which sometimes is painful and sometimes feels like it is dislocated (her words).
We recently were assessed for braces, had moulds done etc and whilst this as happening we mentioned the clicking jaw. The orthodontist said it could make it worse but we left it at that.

She said that they would refer our case to another colleague to see if we get braces on the NHS (likely as they are quite bad). Anyway, this morning I get a letter saying she has been referred to the hospital to see a consultant and when I phoned to find out why I was told it was because of her clicking jaw.
Does anyone know what will happen? It said to allow 2 hours for the appointment. Many thanks.

I have a clicking jaw, and my dentist has just made a guard thing I have to wear at night so I don't clench my jaw (apparently it is aggravated by this as well as chewing gum and chewing tough foods).

She said it is not uncommon, in my case it can be painful, lead to locked jaw and feels like your jaw is dislocated. It is more common in people with an over or under bite (me) and over crowding of teeth (me).

Her only suggestion though, was to try to relax my jaw as much as possible which would help with the pain and locking.

I am interested in what the hospital say... I had braces when I was a teenager too.

I have it too. Doesn't bother me most of the time. During pregnancy my jaw tended to dislocate minorly during the night, and I'd have to knock it back into place in the morning.
Tough foods (french bread used to be one) can give some problems. I decided not to get the guard as it doesn't really cause a problem.
My sister has it too, so I assume there's some genetics in there.

Thank you for your replies, it seems it's not uncommon then. I guess I was also wondering why she has been referred to the hospital if the dentist can make a guard for her

It's possible that they want to fully assess the jaw joint before starting ortho because, as they said it may make it worse and firstly, that would be awful for your daughter and secondly because the orthodonist is probably worried about being sued.

Clicking jaws are exceptionally common however most aren't painful. Mine clicks (& I know how to treat it myself I just can't be bothered) and can be heard across a room whilst eating however it's not painful so no real need for treatment.

Hope it all goes well & be reassured that you seem to be under the care of someone who wants to make sure everything is in order before treatment starts.

Thank you Grumpystiltskin, that's reassuring

My daughter 14 suffers from this and has had braces (now removed). The braces did make occurances slightly more frequent but not unmanageable. Our dentist did mention using a guard if necessary but we didnt need to use one as she only wore the brace for 12 months. Sounds like your dentist is being very thorough.

me too - as a teenager the dentist made me a mouthguard, but every morning it would be neatly stored on the bedside table. I just couldn't keep it in, once I was asleep!

So I avoid enormous chewy baguettes. If I give the side of my jaw a quick rub it's soon back in place, though. It really doesn't bother me at all.