The term “resetting your jaw” typically refers to resolving discomfort, clicking, or the sensation of the jaw being stuck, issues commonly associated with the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). The TMJ acts as a sliding hinge connecting the jawbone to the skull, facilitating essential movements like chewing and speaking. When this joint or the muscles controlling it become dysfunctional, it can lead to pain and limited movement, known as Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD). It is important to distinguish between minor joint locking and a true, serious dislocation of the jaw.
Immediate Self-Care for Minor Jaw Locking
If the jaw feels briefly stuck or clicks with minor pain, initial self-care can often provide relief by relaxing the muscles. Remaining calm is important, as anxiety increases muscle tension, which can worsen the stiffness. Applying a warm compress to the sides of the face for 15 to 20 minutes helps increase blood flow and promotes muscle relaxation in the masseter and temporalis regions.
Gentle, controlled movements can sometimes encourage the joint to move back into its proper path. These guided exercises involve slowly moving the jaw from side to side or slightly forward and backward, always staying within the pain-free range of motion. A soft tissue massage of the muscles on the cheeks and temples can also help release spasms and tension contributing to the locking sensation. If the jaw feels completely fixed, or if the pain intensifies with movement, stop these home efforts immediately, as forcing the movement can cause further injury.
Recognizing Jaw Dislocation and Seeking Professional Help
A true jaw dislocation is a serious medical event distinctly different from minor TMJ locking. This occurs when the condyle of the lower jaw moves completely out of the glenoid fossa and becomes trapped in front of a bony ridge called the articular eminence. Signs of a true dislocation are severe and unmistakable, including the inability to close the mouth, a visibly lopsided or jutting appearance of the jaw, and an abnormal bite where the upper and lower teeth do not align.
The severe misalignment and muscle spasm can lead to drooling and difficulty speaking. Attempting to “reset” a fully dislocated jaw at home is highly dangerous, as it risks causing severe damage to the joint capsule, ligaments, blood vessels, and nerves. The immediate action is to stabilize the jaw, perhaps with a hand or bandage, and seek emergency medical attention from an emergency room or an oral and maxillofacial surgeon. Medical professionals will perform an X-ray to confirm the diagnosis and ensure no fractures are present before attempting reduction.
Professional Procedures for Jaw Reduction
The process of “resetting” a dislocated jaw is known as closed reduction, and it is most frequently performed in an emergency setting. Since the muscles surrounding the joint often go into spasm, the procedure typically requires local anesthesia or conscious procedural sedation to relax the patient and the powerful jaw muscles. This allows the clinician to manually maneuver the jaw with less force and greater patient comfort.
The most described technique is the Hippocratic method. The clinician places their gloved thumbs on the back molars of the lower jaw and wraps their fingers around the outside of the mandible. A constant, firm downward pressure is applied to disengage the condyle from the eminence, followed by a backward and then upward motion to guide the jaw back into its normal socket. Following a successful reduction, the patient is advised to restrict wide jaw opening for a period of one to two weeks to allow the stretched joint capsule and ligaments to heal.
Long-Term Strategies to Prevent Recurrence
After an episode of locking or dislocation, focusing on long-term prevention is important to stabilize the TMJ. For individuals who grind or clench their teeth (bruxism), a custom-fitted occlusal guard or splint worn at night helps protect the joint and prevents excessive muscle strain. This appliance helps maintain proper jaw positioning and reduces the damaging forces of clenching.
Behavioral modifications are also important for reducing strain on the joint. Avoid activities that force the jaw to open excessively wide, such as taking large bites of food or yawning without supporting the chin. Physical therapy exercises can be prescribed to strengthen the supporting muscles and improve jaw movement coordination. In cases of chronic, recurrent dislocation, minimally invasive procedures like autologous blood injection, which promotes scarring and tightening of the joint capsule, may be used to prevent future episodes.