Why did I wake up with a locked jaw?
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Why did I wake up with a locked jaw?
If you are experiencing issues such as jaw clicking and locking, you may have temporomandibular joint dysfunction (usually referred to as TMJ/TMD). TMJ/TMD occurs when the temporomandibular joint becomes damaged or inflamed due to an injury, inflammatory disorders, and other such issues.
What to do when you wake up with a locked jaw?
If you discover you have TMJ, we recommend the following treatments:
- Take over-the-counter pain medication for temporary relief.
- Place a cold compress on your jaw to reduce pain and swelling.
- Eat soft foods.
- Make facial relaxation a habit so your jaw stays loose.
- Massage sore jaw joints to relieve tension.
Should I go to the doctor for locked jaw?
When to see a doctor Seek medical attention if you have persistent pain or tenderness in your jaw, or if you can’t open or close your jaw completely. Your doctor, your dentist or a TMJ specialist can discuss possible causes and treatments for your problem.
Why does my jaw hurt on the left side?
There’s another reason you might have jaw pain on the left side or jaw pain on the right side. You may have dislocated your temporomandibular joint. Jaw pain on one side of your mouth indicates a possible dislocation of the joint.
Why does my jaw lock up when I sit?
Other locked jaw causes include: Poor posture, especially when using the computer for a long period of time during the day. It strains the neck muscles and face muscles, eventually resulting in a locked jaw. Physical stress on the nearby structures of the temporomandibular joints, such as muscles, bones, cartilages, nerves or blood vessels, etc.
Why does my jaw hurt when I wake up at night?
For many people this occurs at night during sleep (nocturnal bruxism). Since it occurs during sleep, many people are unaware that they’re even doing it, but the noise generated can be unbearable for a sleep partner. People with nocturnal bruxism often wake up the next morning with tightness and soreness of the jaw muscles.
What does a locked jaw feel like with TMD?
A locked jaw from TMD, however, will usually be limited to a feeling of being unable to move the jaw and the pain associated with that. It may be brought on by stress, excessive chewing and talking, or the other causes listed above. There should be no fever, sweating, or cramping or pain in other muscles in the body.