My Jaw- Popping?

Question

This occured about 3 weeks ago first.I was watching TV and I had my head resting on my hand. Then I went to get some food and while I was eating my brownies my jaw popped.Every time I open my mouth more than like and inch wide it pops. I'ts really annoying when I'm trying to chew but there is no pain. Everyone keeps saying TMJ TMJ TMJ. So what if it is TMJ? What can I do about it. I just want my mouth to be normal like before. Grr. Help would be appreciated. (I'm 15) My parents say it will go away sooner or later but it's annoying. They say it's nothing to go to the docotr or dentist about..

Answer 1

When it come the temporal mandibular joint current treatment is symptomatic and not curative. that means we manage the pain and really can't treat the cause.

The jaw joint is the most complicated joint in our body. It's a sliding arthroidal(sp) and synovial joint, so it's like the knee with 6 muscle playing a role in movement and in keeping a little pad of tissue in between the two bones.

And it's small to boot. if one of the muscle holding the little pillow or cushion, between the bones goes haywire, the bone pops off the cushion and you hear a click under your ear.

Treatment options are limited. First of all you need to know where you are in the spectrum of TMJ. Most people have some kind of TMJ problem at some point in their life. this usually last a few days or weeks and then disappears unnoticed after a few days. For a very unlucky few, it progresses to a permanent deviation of the jaw on opening or closing and becomes permanent. A small percentage of this group can becomes crippled by the crunch of bone on bone as then try to eat something. So there is a wide spectrum

If you are just noticing a problem, just ignore the symptoms and don't chew gum or sing or do anything that requires repetitive extreme movement of the jaw. Use hot an cold compresses alternating every 5 minutes. Dont' make any fast or exteme movements, particularly after the cold compresses. Compresses should be right under and in front of the ear.

The odds are in your favor, chances are it will go away someday and you wont even notice its gone until its gone for a few weeks.
good luck

Answer 2

Oh, man, I know exactly what you are going through. I've had clicking/popping on the right side of my jaw for YEARS. Last year it got so painful that I sought medical attention. They sent me to a TMD specialist, but unfortunately, my insurance did not cover it. After that, my jaw LOCKED CLOSED. I was forced to see the specialist anyway and pay for it... it was locked for a whole week before I got in and they were able to unlock it. They made a splint for me to wear between my teeth at night so that it wouldn't lock during the day. And it works! While my jaw still pops sometimes, the pain is mostly gone and there is no more locking! If I were you, I would see a dentist and get a referal to a jaw specialist so they can make you a splint. It works wonders!

Answer 3

Hi,
My jaw has been popping for many years and so does my sisters. Over the years I have learned that nothing can be done about it except surgury, but everyone says surgury often makes it worse. So you are in the first stages of it, sometimes it does get sore, if it does put ice in a paper cup and place on your jaw.
Also massaging it helps a lot, try to avoid deliberately popping it because it becomes an involuntary habit. Always let your dentist know so he doesn't open your mouth too wide. I can share more info if you need it.

Answer 4

When I was younger, being clumsy as I am, I SLAMMED my chin on the side of a swimming pool. So hard that I chipped 3 teeth. My jaw pops when I eat things now and yes, It IS TMJ. I dont think there is any cure, sorry. Your parents were right. Always listen to mom and dad! :)

Answer 5

Yeah, that could be TMJ. I was diagnosed with that a few years ago. It got really bad. The doctor said I may need to go in for surgery. Luckily, it cleared up. I haven't had that much trouble with it since, except when doing things that require a lot of jaw movement like eating something really chewy or going to the dentist.

Answer 6

Regular popping sound is not normal. It could be related to some problem in your jaw joint or the way your teeth meet (Occlusion).
See an specialist in Oral Medicine or Oral & Maxillo-facial surgery.

Answer 7

temporal mandibular jaw syndrome

Answer 8

It is most likely TMJ. I have it too and also have the popping. The only thing the dentist can do is do surgery to possibly solve the problem but there is the chance that it wouldnt help. It does hurt, and is vey annoying when you have to go to the dentist. unfortunatly there is not much that can be done. you mostly just have to deal with it, as bad as it may seem. you get used to it eventually eventhough it doesnt really stop hurting. Let your dentist know this is happening at your next appointment so that he/she knows it hurts to open your mouth as far as she/he may need/ask you to. It's annoying but like I said before not much can be done. talk to your dentist if you are still worried about it.

Answer 9

It is the Temporo-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. I have it too, I always have and it hasn't gone away for me.

Answer 10

my son has the same problem I took him to the dentist to get it looked at the dentist said that it is caused from grinding his teeth.
At night he is to wear a protector over his lower teeth to prevent him from grinding his teeth. you can buy one at any pharmacy.
the prices vary depending on the size needed to fit your mouth.
It won't go away but it will help with the pain and noise.
Do go see a dentist first. Hope this helps, good luck