Doctor or dentist can't open mouth

[silvershark22]

I have pain in my ear and jaw on the right side. There doesnt seem to be any swelling but can only open my mouth enough to get a finger in. I am feeling really quite unwell, shivering vomitting amd had a temp. Also but dont think related had hives. Not sure who is best to contactct dr or dentist.

If you still can't open it and it is not aligned then there is a small possibility of a dislocation or similar (disc issue) which really does need to be seen by a dentist. One of my dc has had similar issues and the advice was to see a dentist asap. It is unlikely without an injury but I do think you should see someone if you can't open your mouth properly.

FIL had this was wisdom tooth infection said it was very strange and worrying only being able to open mouth a fraction and he was given anti biotics by dentist and then referred to dental hospital for removal - had no issue prior just came on they later said it may have cracked slightly.

If your dentist can't see you can you get an emergency appointment with another in your area - that used to be a thing as my parents had to do that one Christmas for me and I think I got prescription for anti biotics as well from them though I'd suppose 111 would have mention it as an option.

Not sure how tobsee anyone though as my dentists is closed today and 111 out of hours dental line are saying can wait for routine dental appointment.

How would a dislocation cause a fever and vomiting?

There could be two things wrong with the OP and if the teeth are not aligned and she can't open her jaw it is a possibility. Either way she needs to be seen fairly urgently.

how is it now?

OP, there is an emergency dental clinic at the Royal London, though I don't know it's opening hours. Barts and the London has a big maxfax service so if you're near there, it might be the best place for you.

Dislocation without trauma or yawning is unlikely. This sounds like a dental
abscess and the advice being given by the dental line appears mad

@Ketzele it seems that 111 referrals are the only way to be seen at the Royal London dental clinic both Barts and the Royal London are places I can get to and Guys St Thomas walk in is easy by tube if they.can treat.

@Aussieland It felt like the dental line had verry tight criterion to see people. They said that would need to have a temperature over 40 for the infefction to be severe. I said I had not had a temp that high with seppsis and the response was to keep using paracetamol and ibuprofen and call back if temp went over 40.

I wondered if I hadn't reported enough pain as had said it was 6 out of 10. The pain feels a really deep throbbing pain in the jaw or ear but is not as bad as a kidney stone or endo. They said that this was a manageable level of pain

I had (bad) pain in cheek and jaw and couldn’t open my mouth. Felt really quite unwell.

Turned out to be infected salivary glands, diagnosed in the end by a dentist who gave me the right antibiotics.

At this stage I'd go A&E and get an assessment for possible antibiotics.

Go to A&E. As you're in London choose one with a heli pad as they are likely to have max-fac (maxillo facial) dept.

Thanks @KeepQuiet will see how things are in the morning. Feel bad to go to A&e when I was assessed by someone medical and told to use otc painkillers and salt water rinses.

Have you had a sore throat? It could be quinsy. I couldn’t open my mouth with that and the pain was all one side. Get to a&e it’s a very nasty infection.

With a dislocation of the jaw it’s bloody obvious. It’s a hinge joint and once dislocated you cannot close your mouth. It’s also very painful.
Limited opening is know as trismus and is due to inflammation in the soft tissues around the joint. The inflammation is either due to infection around the wisdom teeth or as a result of bruxing (grinding/clenching).
Infection around the wisdom tooth can self settle. You may not be able to see the wisdom tooth but there could be food getting into the area behind the last tooth in your jaw.
Painkillers, ibuprofen if you can take it to reduce inflammation and salt water. There is a very small (tiny) risk that infection from wisdom teeth can track backwards into the throat. If you start to struggle with swallowing ( throat feels like it is closing) or breathing then that’s the time to seek immediate attention.
Wisdom tooth infections can make you feel miserable but can range from very mild to serious. The serious ones are very rare.

@largeprintagathachristie how did you manage to get seen at a dentist? I am pritty sure I need abs but 111 seems to think its grinding due to stress and wouldnt give an appointment.

Good lord just go to A&E! You need to be seen urgently. Just pack some comfort stuff, and go.

Not be bitchy but do you usually have issues typing? If not it's another big red flag that you need urgent medical help!

It sounds like TMJ issues, Google it, it's quite common, usually flares up from clenching your teeth if stressed or doing it in your sleep. There's no real cure, just manage it with exercises etc, you can go to the dentist who can do a mouth guard for night time so you don't clench, and you can go via GP for pain management and more the structural side of things, your jaw etc, the GP can refer to maxillofacial dept.

Could also of course be something else like wisdom teeth growing in impacted or ear infection, so may be wise to go dentist and GP, hope you feel better soon

Go to A&E.

Tmj doesn't give you a fever, shivering or vomiting.

Of course I'd still recommend getting checked, I meant broadly speaking about those symptoms around jaw

A bacterial infection abscesses etc.
Have a read:

www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/mouth/dental-abscess/#:~:text=If%20the%20infection%20spreads%2C%20you,have%20difficulty%20swallowing%20or%20breathing.

Go to a and e

honestly this isn’t normal

111 are not medically qualified. They have a checklist of symptoms to go through and thats it. My son hurt his wrist a couple of months back and 111 said ice and paracetamol. It didn't get better so after a few days went to hospital and it was broken and needed resetting. The nurse was very unimpressed when I explained we had not come sooner die to 111 advice.