Jaw Popping

My jaw pops. Not only that, it has been getting worse. It started about one year ago, and I hate it. At first it was a clicking in my right jaw joint when I opened my mouth wide, so I eventually learned to "go around it" by opening my mouth slowly and in a certain way. I'm glad I learned to do this because I HATE the sound/feeling of popping and clicking my jaw, and I would hate not to be able to open my mouth without popping, as it would give me a sense of "claustrophobia." I went to my dentist and he told me to ignore it for now. So then about 5 months ago my left jaw started crackling at about the same time I go into the popping danger zone when I open my mouth wide. I hate the popping most, but the crackling is uncomfortable to say the least. Notice that if I were to really CRACK my jaw by not even trying to go into the safety open mode and opening quickly I seriously feel it would break my jaw, not even kidding. Just now I have been experimenting and opening/closing my jaw for a bit and now I feel like the right jaw joint muscle is tighter than the left, and the clicking is worse. Will see dentist on Tuesday, would stab myself in the leg to see this problem gone.

Any suggestions, comments or similar cases, or, God willing, treatments?

PS: Don't tell me I have TMJ, I don't need to hear that unless you genuinely think so.

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Originally Posted by Vance

Will see dentist on Tuesday, would stab myself in the leg to see this problem gone.

Any suggestions, comments or similar cases, or, God willing, treatments?

PS: Don't tell me I have TMJ, I don't need to hear that unless you genuinely think so.

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Vance, I'm just really glad you're going to the dentist, and if he tells you to ignore it.. find a new dentist. This isn't something that you should have to "live with".. no matter what is causing it.

I hope you feel better soon! :hug:

The funny thing is, I really would stab myself in the leg to see it gone. Forever. Thanks for the encouragement Clairity! :hug:

I have a similar problem, but I don't think mine is as bad as yours. I've been living with it for over a year or so now, and it pretty much happens everytime I open my mouth too wide, and I do it myself by just moving my jaw slightly to the left a lot of the times. It doesn't really bother me, I do it without really taking notice of it, it kind of lets some tension off of the spot when I pop it. Sometimes it sucks though, because it'll get locked in one spot, especially after sleeping, and I won't be able to pop it and it feels kind of awkward, and sometimes it starts to hurt. My uncle said he's had the same thing for most of his life, and it doesn't really bother him either. My grandmother had it though, and she got it fixed, but when they did the operation, the sedatives they used made her cheeks swell up a lot, and now she has a lot of droopy skin there that's never gone away even though the operation was like twenty years ago, so that kind of scares me out of wanting to get it fixed, although I'm sure the procedure is much safer and more well done nowadays.

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Originally Posted by Bayside

My grandmother had it though, and she got it fixed, but when they did the operation, the sedatives they used made her cheeks swell up a lot, and now she has a lot of droopy skin there that's never gone away even though the operation was like twenty years ago, so that kind of scares me out of wanting to get it fixed, although I'm sure the procedure is much safer and more well done nowadays.

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:|

I have to pop my jaw back into place a few times a day. It clicks when I do it, and sometimes that click is really loud to my left ear. I think part of the problem is that I grind my teeth a lot. That throws off jaw alignment. If you grind your teeth in your sleep, which I am sure I do, there are things you can put in your mouth while you sleep to prevent grinding. Also, somebody told me a while back something about how some kind of swelling in the sinus cavity causes jaw alignment to be a little off and that moving air through your sinus cavity causes some relief. I don't know about that one, but I thought I should mention it.

I can continuously pop my wrist, over and over again. Creepy.

I hope you get it fixed up (hopefully withought surgery!) :hug: for encouragement!

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Originally Posted by Good as Gold

I can continuously pop my wrist, over and over again. Creepy.

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I do too. I think it has something to do with using the computer. It is my mouse wrist that is out of line.

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Originally Posted by Universal Mind

I do too. I think it has something to do with using the computer. It is my mouse wrist that is out of line.

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The opposite for me. :P

I hear taking things like fish oils can help prevent cracking joins and other joint problems, might help your popping jaw. But I'd still get it looked at by a doctor if your dentist is no use.

Strange, my jaw pops after not opening it for a long time and then I do...like If i don't speak for a few hours then I start eating lunch, POP...
It feels odd but if its happening to you alot go find a competent dentist

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Originally Posted by Vance

PS: Don't tell me I have TMJ, I don't need to hear that unless you genuinely think so.

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Sorry if you don't want to hear it, but you TMJ is quite possibly the problem. You won't know if you don't get it checked out.

I had it just like you I guess. Now it's "fixed". It used to be quite drastic and now it pops very rarely. It's all smooth now, perhaps the cartilage (had to check the dictionary :P) got replaced ot something.
I used to be concerned about it. I even had a nightmare where the bone (responsible for the poping) broke off and liters of blood pured out. Anyway, maby you should listen to those who tell you to see a doctor. If it makes you feel any better, many of those I asked have/had this too.

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Originally Posted by Vance

Will see dentist on Tuesday, would stab myself in the leg to see this problem gone.

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Sooooo.. what did the dentist say?!?!

I had this problem a few years ago.

Turned out is was from a fall I had (after giving birth, but thats a long story lol) 10 years previous to when the clicking started. The fall had knocked the joint out slightly and was basically rubbing against itself and little bits were building up inside the joint.

I had to undergo keyhole surgery to clean the joints out (although it was my dentist who eventually sent me to the hospital, not my doctor) after surgery everything was fine for a while, but i have to admit it is starting up again and im putting off going back to hospital because they did say the surgery may have to be repeated :(

I think i'll go when i cant even open my mouth to eat again, but I suggest you be braver and go see your doc ....or dentist ;)