Lockjaw (only not with deadly tetani)

Fuzzy Cumulonimbus Cloud

So, my jaw is locking and it is getting kind of painful. I've had this sort of problem before, but usually it pops back into place. Its just kind of hurting a lot, and it aches terribly. I took naproxen (anti-inflammatory) and it subsided for three or four hours.

Is this some dental issue (my teeth aren't fantastic, no dental insurance), or is it TMJ or something.

Also, no olive garden jokes.

Applebees is so more high class.

Portugal.TheMark

I've been told that excessive teeth gritting/grinding can cause people to have lockjaw. That may be something to look into especially if you have no dental insurance, and have never been told you grind your teeth.

NotYou

For me, it happens when I tense up for a while, like playing video games and concentrating a lot. Don't try and force it back open/closed as that doesnt work. You just need to relax until it's better. Stretching your jaw doesnt seem to do anything good either.

I've talked to my dentist about it, he just said don't tense up so much, so I don't think there's anything simple that can be done. Maybe surgery is an option in serious cases? Not gonna be cheap I'm sure.

FightTest

I grind my teeth all the time (generally to some sort of beat in my head) and I get this if I yawn. I've just taught myself to keep my mouth as closed as possible when yawning.

Fuzzy Cumulonimbus Cloud

How do I not grit my teeth, especially in my sleep?

NotYou

Some people wear a mouth-guard to bed

Septus

Sounds quite a bit like TMJ.

I've had TMJ for years now, and years ago I had 2 or 3 episodes where I'd wake up with my jaw unable to open more than half an inch or so. That's stopped, but I was recently told by a physical therapist that it's already a troubling sign.

Assuming the locking doesn't last for more than a few hours, I don't think this would be an immediate concern, but I'd definitely suggest seeing an oral surgeon, orthodontist, or some kind of physical therapist, who have knowledge of TMJ, in the near future. I was told that in some cases it can just go away, but in my case it has slowly made my bite worse and I now have to have braces.

So, I'd say go to one of those guys, at least pay for the one examination, and try to get a feel for how long you can put off treatment. I could see you putting it off for months, maybe up to a year(only if these episodes are rare), but I waited waaaay too long.