Clicking jaw problems

mzprettiekittie
mzprettiekittie Posts: 125 Member
edited October 3 in Chit-Chat
I know this is away from the topic but I just thought I'd ask.
I have a constant clicking in my jaw when opening my mouth, more so when ever I eat and chew food. Constantly when I yawn, and now even when kissing. It's becoming a real problem, and does it more now than ever in the past.
Has anyone ever had this ? and what did you do to help stop it ? (if you can)

Replies

  • Mallory0418
    Mallory0418 Posts: 723 Member
    I have the same problem! I thought I was freakish and alone! lol I'm looking forward to seeing what people have to say about this...
  • Shannon023
    Shannon023 Posts: 14,529 Member
    It's probably your Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) that is causing you issues. I had the same problem and had to have my dentist make me a night splint.

    See your dentist to be sure. :flowerforyou:
  • jamiesadler
    jamiesadler Posts: 634 Member
    Yeah its TMJ for sure I have it as well. You can get a mouth guard at the local pharmacy and sleep with it in. It should help if you cant afford to go to the dentist. Some of their guards are quite pricey. BTW this is a hereditary condition.
  • babbityboo
    babbityboo Posts: 98 Member
    It's probably your Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) that is causing you issues. I had the same problem and had to have my dentist make me a night splint.

    See your dentist to be sure. :flowerforyou:

    Same. I used to have to wear a "bite raising appliance" bit like a gumshield.

    Mine was initially caused by stress, and as it turns out I grind my teeth in my sleep when I'm stressed! Who knew!

    Maybe check in with your dentist/doc? xx
  • musicgirl88
    musicgirl88 Posts: 504 Member
    It's TMJ....I have it as well...really bad...but I hate dentists....so I just live with it...it's usually not painful for me, but on a rare occasion my jaw will lock up....it just depends on how much it annoys you LOL For now i'm living with it, but if it ever caused me pain I MIGHT consider going to get something for it LOL
  • Shannon023
    Shannon023 Posts: 14,529 Member
    It's TMJ....I have it as well...really bad...but I hate dentists....so I just live with it...it's usually not painful for me, but on a rare occasion my jaw will lock up....it just depends on how much it annoys you LOL For now i'm living with it, but if it ever caused me pain I MIGHT consider going to get something for it LOL

    No one likes the dentist, but in my case, I clench my jaw so hard when I sleep that I'm in danger of cracking my teeth.

    Even thought they're a pain, you should see one now and save yourself some major issues down the road. :flowerforyou:
  • Marianna194
    Marianna194 Posts: 145 Member
    you might need a mouthguard- see a dentist quick!!
  • california_peach
    california_peach Posts: 1,809 Member
    I do that too and sometimes I would wake up with my jaw stuck shut. Very painful. My dentist fit me painlessly with a mouth guard to wear at night. It is really just this small thing that fits over my front teeth.
  • Cherilea
    Cherilea Posts: 1,118 Member
    Yes...TMJ! I have the same problem only the clicking comes and goes. I have 2 sons that you can hear their jaw clicking when they eat. When I bring it up to the dentist, he never seems that concerned about it. But it can cause all sorts of pain/troubles if it gets bad. I was told, many years ago, that braces might help or they might have to break my jaw and realign it. Needless to say, l left that docs. office and never went back!
  • musicgirl88
    musicgirl88 Posts: 504 Member
    It's TMJ....I have it as well...really bad...but I hate dentists....so I just live with it...it's usually not painful for me, but on a rare occasion my jaw will lock up....it just depends on how much it annoys you LOL For now i'm living with it, but if it ever caused me pain I MIGHT consider going to get something for it LOL

    No one likes the dentist, but in my case, I clench my jaw so hard when I sleep that I'm in danger of cracking my teeth.

    Even thought they're a pain, you should see one now and save yourself some major issues down the road. :flowerforyou:

    I just can't bring myself to go to a dentist LOL If I'm not in pain I won't go to a doctor or dentist or anything LOL The only place I go to on a regular basis is the eye doctor because my prescription tends to change every year....But I also won't allow them to do the thing where they puff air in your eye nor will I allow them to dialate my eyes....Plus I generally don't clench my jaw...I just have that TMJ issue that so far does not cause any pain unless my jaw locks up and that is very rare
  • mzprettiekittie
    mzprettiekittie Posts: 125 Member
    :smile: Thanks for all the help

    I am terrified of the dentist :frown: but if that's where I need to go, I already have an appointment booked for the end of this month so I'll bring it up then. Till then I'll mention it to the doctor.

    I never thought that I could be grinding my teeth in my sleep, but that's because it's something I'd never do awake. Can't stand that noise, but who knows what you do in your sleep eh?

    Again thanks for all the help, I thought maybe I was a little odd, or that my bones just seemed older than my years. When I think about it I have heard my grandmothers jaw doing this in years gone by, but thought that was because she was in her 70's. Never thought it could be the same thing, so maybe that's where it's come from if it runs in the family.
  • kmbrooks15
    kmbrooks15 Posts: 941 Member
    My mother had TMJ problems, and she ended up having surgery. It really improved her symptoms. You should definitely get it checked. If you don't take care of it now, it could start causing you massive pain down the line and require surgery. If you get a properly fitted night splint, it could help prevent the condition from worsening to the point where you need surgery.

    By the way, I would not get a splint from the drugstore. If it's not properly fitted, it can make the problem worse. Some of them are soft, too, which can make you grind your teeth worse (kind of like chewing on it). Avoid chewing gum and really tough, chewy, hard foods...they tend to aggravate the problem. If it hurts, try anti-inflammatories (like Aleve) and warm compresses. My mom still has pain when it's really cold and damp out, so even after surgery there can still be slight issues from time to time.
  • kmbrooks15
    kmbrooks15 Posts: 941 Member
    :smile: Thanks for all the help

    I am terrified of the dentist :frown: but if that's where I need to go, I already have an appointment booked for the end of this month so I'll bring it up then. Till then I'll mention it to the doctor.

    I never thought that I could be grinding my teeth in my sleep, but that's because it's something I'd never do awake. Can't stand that noise, but who knows what you do in your sleep eh?

    Again thanks for all the help, I thought maybe I was a little odd, or that my bones just seemed older than my years. When I think about it I have heard my grandmothers jaw doing this in years gone by, but thought that was because she was in her 70's. Never thought it could be the same thing, so maybe that's where it's come from if it runs in the family.

    Your doctor can just refer you to an oral/maxillofacial surgeon if you prefer that; in fact, it might be better as far as insurance is concerned, especially if you don't have dental insurance. This is a MEDICAL condition, so your health insurance should cover it.

    Good luck!
  • livnlite
    livnlite Posts: 520
    I had the same problem when I was younger .. My jaw would actually lock at times. I eventually grew out of it .. I was told at one time it had somethng to do with my molars growing in.

    I would definately talk to your dentist if it's a problem..Wouldn't hurt to ask.
  • lrainw2160
    lrainw2160 Posts: 2
    I have the same problem and it's absolutely annoying. It makes me super insecure especially about kissing and other things. lol.
    Sometimes I wonder if the other person can hear it or if it's just me!
  • Sinisterly
    Sinisterly Posts: 10,913 Member
    My jaw clicks on both sides.
    Clicks twice on the right side when my mouth is opened all the way and sometimes gets stuck.
    I've learned to deal with it, as it no longer hurts.

    Edit: And it's not embarrassing to me, never was. I just stopped caring. -shrug-
  • tiptoethruthetulips
    tiptoethruthetulips Posts: 3,372 Member
    I had this issue along with some others, doctor recommended I see a dentist, the dentist recommended an oral specialist take a look. After some playing around, the specialist determined it was due to jaw clenching, and to make sure as much as possible when my mouth is closed not to allow the top and bottom teeth to touch, not to purse lips and not to stick the tongue to the roof of the mouth...oh and to manage stress.

    It has improved substantially and for the most part I do what the specialist recommended without thinking about it now.

    If any of the nearby glands are sore or swollen and you are suffering dry mouth at the same as click jaw problem you should see you doctor. Between my clicking jaw, sore glands, extremely dry mouth, inability to swallow I was diagnosed with sjogren's syndrome after a number of tests...my clicking jaw wasn't associated with the syndrome just happened at the same time. For some people a click jaw is caused by a swollen gland pressing against it.
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