If you have a clicking jaw like me, stay away from candy canes! I sort of froze up the right side of my jaw yesterday crunching down on an irresistible bite of peppermint. My jaw ached all day. A clicking jaw doesn’t necessarily mean you will have serious TMJ trouble later, but it is still wiser not to needlessly tempt the Gods of the Jaw with jawbreakers or peppermint candy canes no matter how deliciously they may dissolve in your mouth after nutcrackering your teeth.

43 Comments

  1. I had a just a clicking jaw until I bought some gummy bears at the movies once and in horrible pain I had TMJ. On and off in college when I’d get seriously stressed my jaw would lock…it was awful.

  2. Ouch, Robin!
    I feel for you! I have the same problem and it was especially bad in college. I had one dental “surgeon” who decided the only remedy was to operate on each jaw to stop the clicking and to prevent TMJ.
    My young gut told me this guy was a whack-job and the woman I was dating at the time had an uncle who was a specialist in TMJ. I went to see him. He told me he was conservative and we should try some other options to relieving the pain and save surgery for later.
    First, he asked me if I knew I was clenching my jaw while just sitting there listening to him. I had no idea I was walking around all day with a clenched jaw until he brought it to my attention. He said stress does that and to check throughout the day to make sure my jaw was relaxed. I did that, and still do that, and my jaw pain disappeared almost immediately.
    Finally he told me to chew only when necessary. That meant: No gum! Gahhh! As an old radio guy I loved gum and I still do. I cut out gum then and I’ve eased it back in a little since. A good hunk o’ gum goes a long way to relieving stress so it’s a trade-off I’m willing to serve for the enjoyment of a pain-free place of mind.

  4. Ha, Robin!
    Self-awareness is everything!
    :mrgreen:
    You should take a few moments each day to close your eyes and just mellow the tension in your jaw, shoulder and arms. It will renew you each time.

  5. Erik always points out how I need to relax because my shoulders are all tense and I bite my lips a lot. I think I’ve gotten a lot better lately.

  13. Sweets get me all the time as well. My jaw practically clicks all the time though even if I’m not eating something sweet. I’m at fault for clenching my jaw all the time and still chew gum. Can’t give that up. My orthodontist has recommended surgery as well but I won’t do it yet. Instead I take 800 mg of Motrin whenever it acts up because my face willl swell as well.

  14. Ooof, hterry!
    That doesn’t sound so good. I’m sorry your face swells. I know the reason we chew gum is because it comforts us and drains away the stress. I don’t like how that drain is giving you trouble now.
    I know Burt Reynolds had a lot of similar jaw trouble and it led to his divorce and lack of work. He lost so much weight because he couldn’t eat people in showbusiness thought he was dying of AIDS. He received help for his condition and is now feeling better.

  18. I’ve found that blogging helps with a cold…who knew? NyQuil though must be included as well.
    Off to check out the link.

  19. I’ve found that blogging helps with a cold…who knew? NyQuil though must be included as well.
    Off to check out the link.

  20. I’ve found that blogging helps with a cold…who knew? NyQuil though must be included as well.
    Off to check out the link.

  21. Well, this blog is self-medicating, Robin.
    Every time you click on something a shot of Nyquil gets shot back into your clicker finger.
    Why do you think this blog is green?
    :mrgreen:

  22. Well, this blog is self-medicating, Robin.
    Every time you click on something a shot of Nyquil gets shot back into your clicker finger.
    Why do you think this blog is green?
    :mrgreen:

  23. Well, this blog is self-medicating, Robin.
    Every time you click on something a shot of Nyquil gets shot back into your clicker finger.
    Why do you think this blog is green?
    :mrgreen:

  41. hey nice to know that i am not the only one out there. what do you guys do when it does lock. cuz i do panic and go crazy which i think makes it worse.

  42. Hi che —
    I’m lucky enough — so far — not to have a total lockup. Perhaps someone else reading this will be able to fill you in a bit more.

  43. Hi che —
    I’m lucky enough — so far — not to have a total lockup. Perhaps someone else reading this will be able to fill you in a bit more.

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