Since last spring, my jaw has been acting up. When I open my mouth or move my jaw, I can hear it click (I don’t think it’s audible to others). Occasionally, it seems to become “dislodged”, and I can’t open my mouth all the way without forcing it open, producing a loud pop. Earlier this fall, it was a rare occurance, but now happens first thing in the morning and at least several more times each day. Also, it would just be for a matter of minutes, or until I “popped” it back in. Now, when this happens, even if I force my mouth open, it immediately resumes the “dislodged” position and stays that way for hours, sometimes overnight or throughout the entire day. Right now, my jaw is not in the right position. It seems to become dislodged when I sleep on my side (which is what I normally do), from the sideways pressure on my jaw. During the past few days, it has started to dislodge from eating chewy/crunchy foods that didn’t bother me before- Tositos, Skittles, even bread.
It started on the left side of my face, subsided over the summer, and now has come back on the right, but a lot stronger. I got my braces off over the summer. I also play brass and string instruments (violin/viola). I think the string instruments may have a hand in it, due to the sideways pressure exerted on my jaw. I went to the doctor the other day; she looked at my jaw, gave me a pamphlet on TMJ, and said she was going to refer me to a specialist.
Any idea of what is going on? Is there a way to reduce/stop this? My brother’s jaw gives the occasional click, but nothing nearly as troublesome as this. As far as I know, neither of my parents have anything of the sort. Thank you.
I have the same problem. Here’s a link which might help
And another This one is the best
Hope it helps.
Holy hell…that last site pretty much explains every ache and pain I’ve had this past year.
I guess I better find a doctor.
We discussed this a while back before. (Can’t find it though, “jaw” is below the magic four letter threshold)
Anyway. I had this same thing for a while. Totally painless but freaks you out a bit as it sounds really loud. (Well, obviously, as it is right next to your ear.) But you think it’s got to be doing some damage. Like you, it happened most if I exerted the slightest side pressure on my jaw while opening my mouth to any degree. Yawning in bed while lying on the side of my head was guaranteed to do it. Eventually you know when it’s going to click, you can feel it, and you get quite skilled at knowing where on the joint to apply pressure to right it.
Fortunately for me it sorted itself after a while.
Best advice is, of course, to follow your doctor’s advice.
click!