At least it's not lockjaw
May 3, 2010 8:02 AM Subscribe
YANMD or dentist: Sometimes my jaw sort of gets stuck closed. I know how to sort of manipulate it to get it open, so it doesn't seem like a big deal, and there's no pain at all. Do I need to see my doctor or dentist?
In the past, my jaw used to very occasionally get sort of stuck closed - I could half-open my mouth, but not fully. Starting about a week ago, it's happening really frequently; a couple times a day, usually. It lasts for anything from a couple minutes to an hour or so. It usually happens when I wake up or when I eat, and rarely at other times of the day. I can manipulate my jaw open all the way, either by just sort of moving my jaw to the side, or by pressing on my cheek if it's really stuck, so it is an annoyance, not a big problem.
A couple years ago, I mentioned it to my dentist, who said it wasn't a problem and did nothing (this is when it was very occasional).
I looked up TMJ online, and I fit some symptoms some of the time (clicking sound, reduced ability to open mouth), but not all of the time - and I have no pain or discomfort, just plenty of annoyance.
I used to chew gum a LOT - more than one pack per day - but I stopped about five months ago, and now I have maybe 1-2 pieces per week.
Questions: YANMDoctor or Dentist, but any idea what this is? Should I schedule an appointment with my doctor? My dentist?
In the past, my jaw used to very occasionally get sort of stuck closed - I could half-open my mouth, but not fully. Starting about a week ago, it's happening really frequently; a couple times a day, usually. It lasts for anything from a couple minutes to an hour or so. It usually happens when I wake up or when I eat, and rarely at other times of the day. I can manipulate my jaw open all the way, either by just sort of moving my jaw to the side, or by pressing on my cheek if it's really stuck, so it is an annoyance, not a big problem.
A couple years ago, I mentioned it to my dentist, who said it wasn't a problem and did nothing (this is when it was very occasional).
I looked up TMJ online, and I fit some symptoms some of the time (clicking sound, reduced ability to open mouth), but not all of the time - and I have no pain or discomfort, just plenty of annoyance.
I used to chew gum a LOT - more than one pack per day - but I stopped about five months ago, and now I have maybe 1-2 pieces per week.
Questions: YANMDoctor or Dentist, but any idea what this is? Should I schedule an appointment with my doctor? My dentist?
See a dentist, but before you make an appointment, ask to speak to the dentist and ask if s/he works on this kind of issue. If so, go and do. If not, ask for a referral to one who does.
posted by Old Geezer at 9:19 AM on May 3, 2010
posted by Old Geezer at 9:19 AM on May 3, 2010
Also, if you're into this sort of thing, see a massage therapist that does (I believe this falls into) cranio-sacral work. I just did this (and other types this weekend, which is why I'm confused) and one of the things she did was release my jaw. She showed me how to do it myself. It feels really nice and is a good way to relax your face, which in turn relaxes your mind a bit (and the other way around).
posted by iamkimiam at 9:24 AM on May 3, 2010
posted by iamkimiam at 9:24 AM on May 3, 2010
I had a similar issue a couple of years ago, but I don't grind my teeth at night. I had other issues, like tension in my neck and shoulders resulting from my new office job, which made the new office job uncomfortable! I went to an osteopath and she found that a couple of my upper vertebrae were "stuck" together; she released them and that made all the difference. I can't remember what else she did, but I told her about my locking jaw - she did some things to help with that and my jaw only locked a couple of times after that, then went away completely. This was coming from my jaw locking a few times a day, and while I was talking to people.
So, if your jaw is locking, keep in mind that it may not be originating in your jaw, but maybe somewhere in your neck, shoulders or upper back.
posted by foxjacket at 9:37 AM on May 3, 2010
So, if your jaw is locking, keep in mind that it may not be originating in your jaw, but maybe somewhere in your neck, shoulders or upper back.
posted by foxjacket at 9:37 AM on May 3, 2010
IANAD, and IANYD, but many of my colleagues are DDS-PhDs, and I've spent the last three years in regular meetings and seminars at the dental school that's funding my research. From what I know, what I've heard and what I've learned, you have TMJ. Classic symptoms. The disks in your jaw joint (one disk, or both) are getting out of place, which locks up your jaw. It can be stress related, but it isn't always so. If you're male, your dentist may not have taken it as seriously - TMJ is much more prevalent in women. See a dentist. A new one, if necessary.
posted by caution live frogs at 9:43 AM on May 3, 2010
posted by caution live frogs at 9:43 AM on May 3, 2010
Response by poster: I do have very, very tight shoulders - every time I get a massage, the massage therapist agrees that they have a lot of tension & is not able to fully release it. I think it's my trapezius that is particularly tight.
My dentist (I'm now seeing a different one, fyi) has said that I do grind my teeth, but not so badly that I need a night guard [yet]. Of course, things could have changed since then - I have started taking an rx medication for sleep since I last saw my dentist, Trazodone - I have no idea if that affects grinding.
posted by insectosaurus at 9:44 AM on May 3, 2010
My dentist (I'm now seeing a different one, fyi) has said that I do grind my teeth, but not so badly that I need a night guard [yet]. Of course, things could have changed since then - I have started taking an rx medication for sleep since I last saw my dentist, Trazodone - I have no idea if that affects grinding.
posted by insectosaurus at 9:44 AM on May 3, 2010
from what you've said and from my own experience, it does seem like TMJ.
i believe trazodone is an anti-depressant, correct? i was told by my doctor at one point that anti-depressants can actually cause more grinding. why that would be, i have no idea, but i remember very specifically that he said it. i guess it is possible that this could be effecting the way that you grind your teeth. of course, i have been off anti-depressants for three years and i still grind mine.
also: please take note that some insurance companies (all the ones that i have had, actually) do NOT cover TMJ. i believe i read on askmefi previously that there is some other way that a doctor might code it so that the insurance covers it, but you may have to ask around. it can be very expensive otherwise. i have unfortunately gone far too long in my TMJ treatment because of lack of insurance coverage. i hope you do not have to deal with that as well.
posted by itsacover at 3:29 PM on May 3, 2010
i believe trazodone is an anti-depressant, correct? i was told by my doctor at one point that anti-depressants can actually cause more grinding. why that would be, i have no idea, but i remember very specifically that he said it. i guess it is possible that this could be effecting the way that you grind your teeth. of course, i have been off anti-depressants for three years and i still grind mine.
also: please take note that some insurance companies (all the ones that i have had, actually) do NOT cover TMJ. i believe i read on askmefi previously that there is some other way that a doctor might code it so that the insurance covers it, but you may have to ask around. it can be very expensive otherwise. i have unfortunately gone far too long in my TMJ treatment because of lack of insurance coverage. i hope you do not have to deal with that as well.
posted by itsacover at 3:29 PM on May 3, 2010
also: please take note that some insurance companies (all the ones that i have had, actually) do NOT cover TMJ. i believe i read on askmefi previously that there is some other way that a doctor might code it so that the insurance covers it, but you may have to ask around. it can be very expensive otherwise. i have unfortunately gone far too long in my TMJ treatment because of lack of insurance coverage. i hope you do not have to deal with that as well.
That is correct. I wrote in a previous thread that the mental health aspect is the reason. My dental insurance won't cover my night guard ($350 in Dec. '09), and my
FSA won't even cover it without a note from the dental office stating that it is necessary.
posted by jgirl at 5:32 PM on May 3, 2010
That is correct. I wrote in a previous thread that the mental health aspect is the reason. My dental insurance won't cover my night guard ($350 in Dec. '09), and my
FSA won't even cover it without a note from the dental office stating that it is necessary.
posted by jgirl at 5:32 PM on May 3, 2010
I have similar problems, and generally if I've been a) clenching my teeth at night (I don't grind I just clench, often with my tongue in the middle! Awesome) and/or b) eating sort of hard-chewy things (i.e. baguettes) more than usual the clicky hard to open jaw kicks in. My dentist said with my level of symptoms to just get a night guard, and try to avoid triggers (yeah right, I love crunchy bread dude).
So you might want to at least look into the night guard, or just go see your dentist and ask.
Oh also, my friend who actually experienced the full lockjaw, said that jaw exercises really helped afterward, although again IANAD.
posted by grapesaresour at 10:43 PM on May 3, 2010
So you might want to at least look into the night guard, or just go see your dentist and ask.
Oh also, my friend who actually experienced the full lockjaw, said that jaw exercises really helped afterward, although again IANAD.
posted by grapesaresour at 10:43 PM on May 3, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
Speaking as a champion bruxer, you are probably grinding your teeth at night.
I am in a phase now where I can barely open my mouth, and eating an apple or even a carrot is really trying. I have a new, quite thick night guard, to boot.
I'd go back to your dentist.
posted by jgirl at 8:29 AM on May 3, 2010 [1 favorite]