I Have Never Had Any Issue With My Jaw Before,

Posted on Sun, 12 Jul 2020

Sun, 12 Jul 2020 Answered on

Last reviewed on

Question : I have never had any issue with my jaw before, and just yesterday I was eating a popsicle and felt it very very slightly popping a tiny bit, not out of place just when I opened my mouth. Just a couple times though, and then that stopped. But since then I have been left with an "odd" feeling in my jaw. No pain, no dislocation, I can open my mouth for the most part, I am just having panic attacks because it just doesn't feel "right". But all of my research talks of pain or dislocation. Which I don't have. I am very frightened and don't know what to do. I have always had immense fear of my jaw popping or such but have never had issues with it. I can tell something is different because when I chew or just sit relaxed... it feels different than usual, I am doing my best to stay calm and am hoping there is a mouth guard or some answer, or maybe this is normal and will go away on it's own? Any help is very greatly appreciated. Thank you kindly in advance for your time and help.

Answered by Dr. Olgeta Xhufka (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Nothing to worry about, it will go away soon.

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear, welcome to Ask a doctor's service.
I read your query and here is my advice.

I think the feeling you are having on your jaw is because it was popping before and you are not feeling it as normal.
I don't think this is important since it happened only in one occasion, stopped happening now and you don't have pain or dislocation.
I think that this strange feeling will go away gradually. Just avoid the excessive jaw movement which can make popping happen.
Chop the food in tinny bites and avoid opening the mouth too much.
The feeling you are having will go away soon.

Hope I have answered the question.
Let me know if I can assist you further.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Olgeta Xhufka (2 hours later)

Thank you. It is becoming to feel abit heavy, my upper jaw. It seems like it is straining my mouth abit... I would say it has grown to a very small pain ( comes and goes) more of a soreness it seems. This is normal? I tried to eat, and it tired out my jaw so I stopped. It wasn't impossibly though. No more popping since the first and only time it happened yesterday. I purchased a mouth guard, is this a good idea to wear sometimes? I am just hoping for abit more suggestions/advice, if you please. It has given me great relief to know I shouldn't worry, but my anxiety would appreciate one more reassurance (with the new info provided) and any final advice, I am hoping. Thank you so much.

Answered by Dr. Olgeta Xhufka (3 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
See details below.

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear and thank you for asking again.
Still I think this is not much important since it is not popping or hurting.
Keeping a mouth guard especially at night is a really good idea even in more severe cases so for sure it will help your problem.
I believe that anxiety is making the situation look worse.
Avoid opening too much your jaw , keep the night guard and don't get too much stressed about it.
Let me know if I can assist you further.

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

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