left jaw joint cant close and top lip feels numb?

Question

for the past 2 days, my left jaw joint hasnt been able to close with the back teeth touching without pain. also..my top lip feels numb in which i have no idea why its happening. could someone help me out?

<--18yrs old

ive had this problem with the jaw before but i left it as it is to see if it would go away. eventually it did after maybe a week and a half. is that normal? TMJ is for the jaw, but does it have any affect with my numb lip?

Answer 1

yeah go to the doctors

Answer 2

Sounds like temporal-mandibular joint syndrome. The connection between your upper jaw (maxilla) and lower jaw (mandible). My sister had this and often had difficulty chewing. Hers was more than likely caused by the fact that she grinds her teeth at night and also somehow used her muscles the wrong way when she swallowed. She needed physical therapy from a speech pathologist which was called myofunctional therapy, and her symptoms improved greatly. Today she is married and when she grinds her teeth at night her hubby automatically sticks his finger right in her mouth while sleeping!

If you have not had ongoing problems with this it is more than likely you caused some type of strain and it will disappear after about a week. My suggestion is to try not let your mouth rest the best you can- eat soft foods and talk less, etc. For the teeth grinding- if you do this- you can purchase an inexpensive platsic mouth insert at a pharmacy.

If it does not disappear then see a doctor for xrays and evaluation in case something more serious is going on. If you are young this is probably nothing at all to over worry about. If you are old and had this sudden onset of a problem... you certainly should get it checked if it does not improve.

Regarding affecting a nerve- yes a joint problem can affect a nerve. Nerves paths run all through your body- numbnes is a symptom of nerve being affected by injury or pressure of some sort.

I see that you are 18 and I encourage you to bring this up with your folks so that they are aware. Good Luck!

Answer 3

it would help to know your age. This sounds like a joint problem at the temporal-mandible [jaw]. A doctor can help adjust it and sometimes give a muscle relaxer. Some need surgery to correct it. Go to the doctor tomorrow. Anytime something is numb it can be serious.
called TMJ

Answer 4

Not a doctor, but I am a massage therapist, and it sounds allot like a pinched nerve in your jaw. You might try a little heat and rub as deep as you can on the muscles of the jaw and along the bottom of the jaw bone and down the neck.

Answer 5

It sounds like TMJ-- TempoMandibular Joint disorder. Go to your dentist as soon as possible. If that's what it is, it's nothing life threatening, but you may need to make some lifestyle changes or, at least, wear a mouth guard at bedtime. I have TMJ and it's not pleasant, so I feel for you!

Answer 6

Muscles can have knots (trigger points) that make them tight which in turn put pressure on nerves and other things eventually causing pain.
Molasses - a couple of swigs or Bananas 1 or 2 - both contain magnesium and potassium for muscles.
Try working with the principles taught in The Trigger Point Therapy Workbook by Davies.
I use a chiropractor and massage therapist with it

Answer 7

this kind of issues occurs and a nerve is each and every so often broken. Time may be the only answer. i might attempt gently massaging the area to work out it it is going to stimulate nerve pastime. it incredibly is like bumping your elbow and getting the numb feeling on your arm. solid success.

Answer 8

Probably TMJ and the lip may be some paralysis from it. see a dentist!

Answer 9

its better to go to your doctor...