I Have Symptoms Of A High-pitched Sound When I Move My Jaw Up And Down While Eating

Posted on 24 hours ago

Question: I have symptoms of a high-pitched sound when I move my jaw up and down while eating, yawning and even when I turn my head sideways to the affected side as well as grinding the teeth. I also have fullness/pressure in the ear when the jaw is motionless. I went to see the doctor a couple of months ago who thought it was due to the jaw joint although there is no pain or soreness and recommended that I see a stomatologist but she didn't think it was because the Eustachian tube is blocked. Does this make sense?

I also had an x-ray performed on the jaw a few months ago and it said that the left mandibular condyle is positioned very slightly in front of the most pronounced point of the temporal condyle.

Answered by Dr. Neha Sumra (12 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Can be temporomandibular joint disorder

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thanks for writing in.

It looks like you are experiencing clicking sound due to temporo mandibular joint disorder. There are several ways to manage them which are mentioned below:

Over-the-counter medications: Naproxen, ibuprofen, or other types of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may relieve pain and swelling in the jaw.

Heat and ice packs: Placing an ice pack on the jaw area for 10 to 15 minutes, followed by a warm compress for 5 to 10 minutes, may help relieve symptoms. Alternating hot and cold therapy in this manner may be done several times daily if necessary.

Avoid hard or crunchy foods: Crunchy, raw vegetables or chewy foods, such as caramel, may exacerbate jaw popping and other jaw symptoms. Instead, a person should choose soft foods, such as yogurts, cooked vegetables, and beans. Food should be eaten in small bites to avoid opening the mouth too wide.

Relax the jaw: When possible, keeping the mouth slightly open by leaving a space between the teeth can relieve pressure on the jaw.

Practice stress management: Reducing stress can relieve jaw popping that arises from stress-induced teeth grinding or jaw clenching. Meditation, physical activity, and deep-breathing exercises are examples of effective stress management techniques.

Do not overextend the jaw: Avoid activities that involve opening the mouth wide, such as yelling, singing, and chewing gum.

Keep good posture: Reduce facial misalignment by changing body posture if necessary.

Consider physical therapy: Facial stretches or massage may be beneficial

If you don’t find relieve by the above measures then you would need to see oral surgeon.

Hope it helps.

Kind Regards
Dr. Neha Sumra

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana

Follow up: Dr. Neha Sumra (6 days later)

I have also been wearing a night guard for more than 6 months while sleeping and have had about 10 sessions of physiotherapy on the jaw but the symptoms still remain. Is it normal to still be suffering from these symptoms for more than a year? Many thanks.

Answered by Dr. Neha Sumra (5 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Get CBCT scan done and consult oral maxillofacial surgeon

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX

Thanks for getting back to me.

One year is a long time and if you think it hasn’t reduced then I would advise you to consult an oral maxillofacial surgeon and get CBCT scan done. It will give a better picture for diagnosis.

Thanks

Kind Regards
Dr Neha Sumra

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Neha Sumra (13 hours later)

I am going to have an mri scan in about a week's time but what could it actually show and how can it be rectified please? Many thanks.

Answered by Dr. Neha Sumra (8 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Its a three-dimensional scan and will help in getting a better diagnosis

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX

Thanks for getting back to me.

CBCT or MRI are 3D scans that can help in better diagnosis and will help to check what the exact problem is.

Hope it helps

Kind Regards
Dr. Neha Sumra

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee

Follow up: Dr. Neha Sumra (18 days later)

There is the presence of 2 wounds on the left-hand side of the head. The first frontal wound is 7.1 mm in diameter with the other fronto temporale about 52.4 mm maximum diameter whose appearance favours high-grade swelling.

There is also presence of moderate peripheral swelling, absence of mass effect of the left lateral ventricle.

Answered by Dr. Neha Sumra (13 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Please consult Neurologist

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX

Thanks for getting back to me.

This is something beyond dental expertise and best way would way would be to consult a neurologist.

Thanks

Dr Neha Sumra

Note: Find out which dental treatment will work best for your teeth. Ask here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana