im scared i might have it, my jaw seems to lock for a couple of seconds when i yawn, what is it specifically?
2006-06-14 10:02:37 · 7 answers · asked by sueet2b 4 in Health ➔ Dental
Go see a doctor about it.
Specifically you're talking about temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disfunction
2006-06-14 10:07:50 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Mandibular Joint (TMJ), the joint where the mandible (the lower jaw) joins the temporal bone of the skull, immediately in front of the ear on each side of your head. A small disc of cartilage separates the bones, much like in the knee joint, so that the mandible may slide easily; each time you chew you move it. But you also move it every time you talk and each time you swallow (every three minutes or so). It is, therefore, one of the most frequently used of all joints of the body and one of the most complex.
You can locate this joint by putting your finger on the triangular structure in front of your ear. Then move your finger just slightly forward and press firmly while you open your jaw all the way and shut it. The motion you feel is the TMJ. You can also feel the joint motion in your ear canal.
These maneuvers can cause considerable discomfort to a patient who is having TMJ trouble, and physicians use these maneuvers with patients for diagnosis.
How Does TMJ Work?
When you bite down hard, you put force on the object between your teeth and on the joint. In terms of physics, the jaw is the lever and the TMJ is the fulcrum. Actually, more force is applied (per square foot) to the joint surface than to whatever is between your teeth. To accommodate such forces and to prevent too much wear and tear, the cartilage between the mandible and skull normally provides a smooth surface, over which the joint can freely slide with minimal friction.
Therefore, the forces of chewing can be distributed over a wider surface in the joint space and minimize the risk of injury. In addition, several muscles contribute to opening and closing the jaw and aid in the function of the TMJ.
Symptoms:
Ear pain
Sore jaw muscles
Temple/cheek pain
Jaw popping/clicking
Locking of the jaw
Difficulty in opening the mouth fully
Frequent head/neck aches
2006-06-14 17:08:14 · answer #2 · answered by SHEILA G 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is when the jaws lock because of the overuse of the maxilla muscle that is your top jaw or if u talk alot or scream u can overwork the muscles try to rotate your lower jaw and try not to strenght it so wide.
2006-06-14 18:53:03 · answer #3 · answered by sophia y 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i was told i had it about a month ago , i went to the dentist , he worked on that side a little bit , had me to bite down a couple of times . what ever he did it worked ! i also was having severe headache 's , but if you have dentures , braces , i know that is some causes of tmj !
2006-06-14 17:15:00 · answer #4 · answered by LISA T 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
tmj is something all humans deal with. don't be concerned unless you have pain associated with it. have your dentist check you the next time you have your teeth cleaned
2006-06-21 16:50:43 · answer #5 · answered by ladyofthehollow 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
go to the headaches page of my website, it's explained in layman's terms www.cent4dent.com
2006-06-14 20:53:53 · answer #6 · answered by Steve M 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you have it you can cure it without surgury
2006-06-14 19:46:56 · answer #7 · answered by Natural Health Consultant 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋