I have been grinding my teeth and clenching and for a few months have had days when I wake up with my jaw locked in a closed position. I have to “pop” it open but it has been painless. I went to my dentist and have an appointment to be fitted for a night guard that will fit over my upper teeth and prevent me from grinding. The appointment is in three weeks to get fitted and then a few more weeks to get the device.
About an hour ago, I woke up in the middle of the night with my jaw completely locked and when I popped it open I was in a grey deal of pain. I have taken some advil and am icing it but the jaw is very tender and the pain radiates down my neck and into my ear. It feels slightly swollen as well. The advil and ice is helping but I am afraid to go back to sleep for fear that it will lock up again.
Has anyone else experienced anything like this before? Is it something that I should see my primary care doctor for or it is advisable to wait for the dental appointment in three weeks? My fear is that there is more wrong with my jaw than simple grinding. I guess I am wondering if this can wait or if I should be seen by a doctor sooner.
ETA: I know that it is better to ask for medical advice from a doctor rather than the internet but I am sitting here at 2:30 am with ice on my face so I figured, what the heck…
Call your dentist’s office and tell them what is going on and do not minimize!
Also, you might find that a heating pad feels better.
I do not grind but I do clench…I use a guard even for a 15 minute nap.
Still, on occassion I wake up with a headache and jaw ache.
CALL YOUR DENTIST!
I’m a tooth clencher - either you do or don’t. It’s caused tremendous problems requiring crowns and lots of tmj issues. Now that I’ve done invisaglign that retainer helps. I’ve gotten my stuck before! Try a warm, wet washcloth. When my tmj was at it’s worse I was using a muscle relaxer and major pain relievers. Also, try and stay calm - freaking out will just cause a bigger clench. And definitely call to see if you can get in earlier.
Orthodontist had H take glucosamine to build the cartilage in the jaw. Helped a lot. But not an overnight fix.
I use it also (I’ve had lock jaw in the past).
No advice other than what’s been given here, but hugs and best wishes. I too sleep with a night guard, and when I got my second one (the first one broke after years and years of use) it didn’t take three weeks to get an appointment.
if you can’t get an earlier appointment, go to a sports store and buy a mouth guard - the kind that you put in boiling water to soften and then you put in your mouth to shape it to fit your mouth. they are very cheap and do a pretty good job. I learned this from our orthodontist when we needed a mouth guard in a pinch. THe dentist-made ones are more comfortable, but both do the job equally well.
My daughter had trouble with a clicking, painful jaw and got relief from exercises and stretches that she found on youtube. DEFINITELY see your dentist but until you can get in, maybe some of those stretches may help.
Bookreader beat me to the suggestion of a cheap, sports related mouth guard. My husband has the one made for him that he uses at home, but when he travels he often takes a cheaper one. Fair warning… Don’t leave these gourds in places where dogs can get them, if you have dogs.