I can't open my jaw wide! What could be the problem?

I think there is not much to worry about. This means that most likely the jaw joint is misplaced and that causes your problem. And it does not need a strong punch for that to happen; sometimes it occurs without any pressure. But the good thing is that it should pass on its own in time, you just need some patience. Also, you could try strengthening the facial muscles to prevent future jaw issues.

i have the same problem i can only fit my three fingers in between my top and bottom teeth and that hurts.! i want to be able to open it wide! is there any way to stretch it?

Hi i also practise martial arts and was punched pretty hard in the jaw. i went to hosp who adv i have a broken jaw on xray, went back for ct scan who then adv i havent. it is extremly painful and it has been like it 3 weeks now. it is quite swollen still and i litterally am unable to open it atall. i am growing concerned as i cant eat atall and have lost over a stone in 3 weeks already. my docs told me to try gradually opening my mouth with little movements but it is very painful and i feel this just makes it worse. please help.

i got bottled at a bar. temples a lil swollen. can only open mouth 3 fingers wide as well. i hope when swelling goes down i can eat properly again. if my jaws screwed like this for good im going to find the lil ***edited by moderator*** ** inappropriate posting** with corn rolls who hit me ***edited by moderator*** ** inappropriate posting** him. see how well he can eat after!

I was looking for the reason mine hurt today and couldn't find it. For the Mma kid, back when I was into all that I had the same problem. It doesn't take a hard hit, just a few in the right spot. It's normal, your body will get used to it you just gotta tough it out. Take some pain relievers and do your Epsom salt bath and get your jaw as much as you can in the water. Try rubbing it out during the day too.

How did u cure your jaws problem

Mine will only open the thickness of a single finger. I had an hour long dental appointment nearly two weeks ago, including extraction of a molar one from the back which was hard to reach. Soon after that I started to notice difficulty eating. The doctor said it would just go away - but I'm going to see him again today about it, because I think it's going to be long term. Can these things really be just popped back? Is that a painful process? Is an operation better?

Yeah its pretty annoying... I cant eat and enjoy my triple burguers anymore! ):

Hi Doug, has your mouth got better? My problem happened the same as yours 3 weeks ago I had a filling at the dentist which did not seem to be a problem then a couple of days later I realised I could not open my mouth (only 2 fingers wide). I went to the chyropractor today but no miracle cure. So decided to google the problem! Seeing you posted 3 months ago what do I have to look foreward to? I hope your better, my next stop was going to be the doctor but I will wait to here from you.

Sorry I just noticed your question. At first I could only open 1 finger and was sucking food! I went to a maxo.specialist and he gave me a relaxing medication - just for a week. But he also stressed that I should do exercises forcing it apart with my fingers for ten seconds, then relaxing, and doing this ten times. Then repeating the 10 stretches about 6 or 7 times a day. Within a week I was using two fingers. I admit I stopped the exercises as the two finger amount seemed OK, but maybe I should do more in case I need dental treatment. (I'm being careful to clean teeth two or three times a day with electric toothbrush and sometimes mouthwash.)

Thanks for replying so quickly. So after 3 months you still are not better?!!! now I am stressing! I saw a physio to day who just said massage as my neck is tight too. She put 3 fingers on either side of my jaw and massaged quiet firmly in circles, I will try stretching the mouth open too. I can just get 2 fingers in my mouth. let me know how you get on. I think I should change my dentist!

Hi Doug, I have been going to a Chiropractor who has been massaging my head neck & jaw then manipulating my jaw basically applying slow but strong pressure down with her fingers placed on my very back teeth (some phyios apply pressure behind wisdom teeth) after 3 visits I have can fit 3 fingers in easily I am trying for 4! which is normal. I have heard of some physiotherapists opening the jaw in one visit but I have heard it hurts like hell! I will stick to slowly but it is too hard to do yourself is there anyone you could go to? Anyway I hope your problem is getting better and this has helped others.

Hi, I'm 12 years old and this happened to me when I was about 11 years old. It happened to the left side of my jaw and happened when I woke up! I didn't tell anyone so I tried fixing it on my own. I opened my jaw all the way really quick and it clicked. Once you've done that you will be able to open it all the way. It will come back the next morning but just open it all the way. I was scared so yeah! Ahah! After a couple of day it will go. For maybe 2 months. But it will come back. Just do the same thing and it will go! It's called TMJ disorder but you can ask a consultant to help. You may have trouble chewing your food which is really frustrating but it will go so don't worry! Hope this helped :) BTW! If this doesn't work, don't force yourself because this jaw is in line (connected) to your skull so I don't want to make you do something that you'll regret. :) See ya!

Kim ... 8 weeks ago I had three fillings replaced. Soon after I couldnt open my mouth more than one finger wide. I have used tongue depressors to try to open the jaw. I started with 6 TD's and as of this morning can get 19 in my mouth. I take motrin (6oo mg) daily and a half tablet (full tablet is too much) of muscle relaxer at bedtime. Its so scary. I message my jaw at night and use both heat and ice on jaw 2 times a day. I hope this goes away eventually. I hope you get better soon too.