Jaws

[rhialto]

Since a couple of days I seem to have some trouble with my left jaw muscle, and/or the joint on the left. The result is that I have some trouble opening my mouth somewhat far, or what feels like "somewhat far" anyway. There is a definite resistance in the joint too, and it makes sometimes loud noises when it pops past the point in question. Somewhat worrying.
I have always had that my jaw seems to be a bit more movable than it should. I can move it left and right a fair bit, for instance. And sometimes I seem to manage to open it so far that (it feels like) my jaw muscles can't close it by themselves and it needs an external nudge to get past the dead point. That feels very scary when it happens...

Comments

[paintedfairy.livejournal.com]

The joint you speak of is the temporo-mandibular joint. It joins the mandible (jaw) and the temporal bone that forms part of your skull and is surrounded by connective soft tissues which move it in very sophisticated and varying ways in order to chew and speak. It does move quite a lot both up and down and from side to side, and indeed rotates (both directions) as part of its function. I have been told you can indeed open it too far to be able to close it easily.

I know I have had pain/discomfort there when I have chewed hard things on that side. I guess you could try chewing the other side and see how much that helps.

My understanding, and I'm by no means an expert, is that there is a wide variation in TM joints, and that many people have problems with them at some point. My knowledge is from a dental lecturer who taught us anatomy as part of my degree. My suggestion is that you find a dentist if it continues to be a problem. Good luck and happy chewing!

[ludy]

i had some probelems with jaw pain and my denstit said that it was because my jaw was slightly misallined and that i grind my teeth at night (which i hadn't realsed that i do). He made me a personalised bite guard to use at night - by taking an impression of my teeth. It feels a little strange and i don't like to use it when i have "company" but if i do use it semi-regularly then i get almost no jaw pain. Maybe something similar would help you?