I Am Having First Time Trouble With My Jaw. This

Posted on Sun, 2 Aug 2020

Question: I am having first time trouble with my jaw. This is the 2nd day of it. It began yesterday when I was eating a popsicle, I felt a tiny/slight popping, only about once or twice, then it was over and that has not happened since. The problem is, ever since that happened my jaw (more so the upper jaw) does not feel correct. It feels "off" or just not right, my upper jaw feels heavy, like I need help to hold it up. It is a "weird" feeling. There is no pain (only a tiny soreness at times I think from moving it) I keep feeling the urge/need to move it around, not much (as I am very afraid) but it feel as though my upper jaw needs to be pushed back a tiny bit. I am deathly afraid of my jaw dislocating or popping etc so I won't dare push it too far. I am just praying you can help me. I am having severe panic attacks because I don't know what to do and am so afraid. I haven't eaten because of this. I am afraid. Though I can indeed open my mouth, I won't stretch it but it can open almost normally. Please let me know anything I can do to end this, I believe the tension pain/soreness (very light and comes and goes) but I didn't have that yesterday. I sleep on my back and noticed my mouth sometimes falls open when I sleep. Do you think the gravity pulling down/back on my mouth could have caused this? I purchased a mouth guard, it will arrive tomorrow, is that a good idea? I don't know when to wear it. I have never had jaw trouble before, though it has always been a huge fear of mine. These panic attacks are really making it harder. Please help, and thank you so much for your time and effort I am grateful.

Answered by Dr. Priyanka Tiwari (27 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
It can be due to TMD, Follow these measures. Dont use mouth gaurd

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for consulting Ask a doctor service.
This is Dr. Priyanka tiwari answering your query.

I have read your query and understand your concern. As far as heaviness in upper jaw is concerned and there is slight popping sound this can be due to slight strain in Temporomandibular joint. As you have no symptom of popping right now there is nothing to be worried so much.
-I will Suggest not to use mouth guard as it is appliance used in severe cases of TMJ disorder. Dont use these type of appliances without going for.any clinical examination and While sleeping mouth gets open this is normal not to worry for that.

I will suggest you few measures for this follow these measure for 15 days and then if problem persist then consult your dentist for clinical examination of TMJ joint.

-Avoid excessive mouth opening.
- Do Hot formentation using hot towel dipped in boiled water squeeze it and place in region of upper jaw and TMJ joint.
- Apply local application of Ointment containing Diclofenac gel on twice daily by consulting with local doctor.
- Take medicine like Muscle Relaxtant like flexon MR or Myospaz forte by consulting with local doctor.

Hope this will help you.
If you have further query i will be happy to help.

Note: Find out which dental treatment will work best for your teeth. Ask here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T