Do I have a sprained jaw?!
Question: Do I have a sprained jaw.?
Its happened about three times now.. Usually if I am chewing something particularly hard like a bagel, special K cereal, etc.. All of a sudden I get an extreme pain in my jaw under my left ear.. It hurts slightly when I open my mount completely, or when I bite down with my molars.. It hurts to chew anything after this has happened and usually lasts 2-4 days.. What's the deal.?Health Question & Answer
Answers:
It sounds like temporomandibular joint syndrome (TMJ).. It could be caused by trauma, teeth grinding, clenching, or even arthritis.. You can treat the symptoms with anti-inflammatories (eg: ibuprofen), switch to softer meals, and perform jaw exercises (shifting side to side and slowly opening and closing).. You may want to see your doctor about what's causing it though..Health Question & Answer