Ok, been having jaw trouble for a bit, the dentist sent me for physical therapy. Didn't work too well. See the dentist Jan 5 to go over other options.

Problem is, it's Christmas Eve, and my jaw is locked shut. Anybody have any tricks to loosen their jaw up when it locks? This sucks as our traditional Christmas dinner is a seafood feast.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: smithnsig,

Is your tetanus shot up to date?

Without knowing the cause, would not any "tricks" quite possibly lead to serious injury?

Hate to say it, but I think I'd be getting myself into urgent care ASAP.

Regret to hear somebody has to go through something like this at all, much less on Christmas Eve

quote:

Originally posted by Fenris:
Is your tetanus shot up to date?

I think so. I don't have any fever,and this has been an issue that has been building for some time now. It has happened before, but only while eating. This is the first time I woke up with it.

not sure what you have been diagnosed with but I would be going to the ER if a MD hasnt looked at it. But I am just an anonymous guy on the internet!

It sounds like you have a history of TMD. Is the "lock" a hard lock with pain right in front of your ear (disc displacement) or a tightness/spasm in the muscles a bit farther forward?

Sounds like a possible TMJ, Temporomandibular joint problem. You could try icing the joint, and OTC meds like ibuprofen for anti inflammatory.

But you need to see a Doc for an informed diagnosis.

Man, that sucks.

I don’t mean to scare you, but that can be a symptom of a heart artery blockage issue! Ask me how I know.

Yeah, it's time to get to the ER.

Good luck.

Talked to endodontist buddy of mine. He's been aware of it for a while. He dog cussed me to make appointment with oral surgeon asap.

Almost two weeks before your dentist appointment?

Nope, don't wait. Maybe or maybe not an emergency, but a walk-in at the ER couldn't hurt; hospital has an assortment of various type docs, so chances of finding the right specialty are better at the hospital. One stop shopping: beats the heck out of running around town, getting referrals from one type doc to another.

I'd be freaking out, running down the middle of the street, nekkid, tryin to scream.

quote:

Originally posted by smithnsig:
...He dog cussed me ...

Damn, you can't cath a break between the lock jaw and the dog cussing.

In all seriousness, my fat ass would be moving hastily towards urgent care facility (cheaper than ER).

In my humble opinion, "Urgent Care" is a waste of time and money unless you are in danger of bleeding to death.

Get to the ER and find out what's wrong. Most of the Doc in a Box types won't touch a symptom/problem such as you describe.

Hope you find relief, and quickly!
Don

Get your butt to an Emergency Department RIGHT THE HELL NOW!!!

A dysfunctional mandible can be the sign of serious heart, mandible, nerve, or neurological problems.

Even if not a sign of bigger problems, if it's locked how will you eat pie tomorrow?

We used to keep a jaw screw in our intubation kits long ago. If it had a real name, I forgot it.

That’s probably not what you want tho...

If you’re not dying. Try a chiropractor

I’m very sorry to hear this happened to you. I hope you get it sorted out quickly and are feeling much better soon.

I have to admit when I saw the thread title my first thought was why couldn’t this have happened to Sheila Jackson Lee, Nancy Pelosi, or that SOB Jorge Ramos. Shame on me for thinking that way, but...