Note: This article explains how to evaluate yourself for TMJ, what you can do about it, and how to determine when you need to get some professional help. This past year's pandemic challenges have led more people to seek care for TMJ problems than ever before. In fact, you may be reading this article because you've had your first experience of TMJ during the past … [Read more...] about How To Evaluate Yourself For TMJ
Lockjaw
What Causes Lockjaw?
Suffice it to say, if you wake up one morning and your jaw is locked shut, you're going to be extremely frightened. You have lockjaw clinically known as trismus. As a TMJ and orofacial pain specialist, I see many patients every year with lockjaw. So, what causes lockjaw, and is there anything you can do about it? Before I answer that questions, I need to explain a bit about … [Read more...] about What Causes Lockjaw?
Lockjaw – What To Do When You Can’t Open Your Mouth
The clinical term “lockjaw” refers to a specific problem that can be the sign of a serious bacterial infection called Tetanus. Happily, due of the widespread use of the vaccine, it is extremely rare today for anyone in the U.S to develop it. But the expression “Lockjaw” lives on and is today what most people use to describe the scary feeling of waking up in the morning unable … [Read more...] about Lockjaw – What To Do When You Can’t Open Your Mouth
Case Study: Jaw Locking All Day With Tremendous Pain
A patient came to my office four months ago complaining that she woke up every morning with her jaw in a locked position. It was so bad that her morning routine starting by standing in the shower bathing her jaw with hot water until her jaw popped open. Then she could start her day. Her problem however didn’t stop with this unlocking event. Her jaw would click and then lock … [Read more...] about Case Study: Jaw Locking All Day With Tremendous Pain
Case Study: High-Powered Executive Wakes Up With A Locked Jaw
Last week a new patient came in for a consultation. She had been having pain in her jaw for quite awhile, but had ignored it. Like many of my new patients, what made her suddenly take it seriously was the terribly frightening experience of waking up with a locked jaw. Eventually her jaw loosened up enough for her to call her dentist and be referred to me. Understandably, she … [Read more...] about Case Study: High-Powered Executive Wakes Up With A Locked Jaw