Jaw dislocation

[Samanth]

Does anyone else have trouble with their jaw spontaneously dislocating? This keeps happening to my husband. Usually it pops back in place by itself but it is very uncomfortable for him when its out. It happened 3 times yesterday evening. Anyone have any tips of how to avoid it or how I can help put it back?

[Ellie]

Are you sure his jaw is dislocating? Having seen my brother's jaw being repositioned in A&E by a Doctor with his hands in my brother's mouth, it's not for the faint hearted (I still remember it, 30yrs later!!) I would get medical professionals involved if it is dislocating, it sounds horribly painful.

My own jaw isn't held firmly in place due to weak muscles, which also gives me an uneven bite, some teeth rubbing and issues when I yawn - the joint itself doesn't always align, which is painful, and it grinds, pops and is just generally a nuisance 🙄

I hope your husband finds a solution.

Love Ellie.

[matthew55]

My jaw has moved and so have my teeth. Thankfully my tongue is now so dead I only feel one side if I bite it. Of to the Dental Hospital soon to get things sorted. 😉😁x

[GaryM]

My jaw feels like it dislocates every time I yawn and I yawn an awful lot. The SaLT told me that they call them 'hippo yawns' for obvious reasons, which I thought quite amusing.

[Lizzie]

I have bulbar onset. Is this also your husband’s diagnosis? I’ve never felt my jaw is actually dislocating but at times it feels very unstable and loose, especially when I’m lying down and yawning. It feels as if it is popping and clicking . Even when trying to eat or speak it feels very different.

[Ellie]

Weakness of facial muscles is part and parcel of ALS/MND unfortunately. This can affect how your jaw sits (or hangs, in many cases, including me) and how it aligns or not (clicks and pops are 'normal'), how your bite is, how your lips close or not, all facial expressions, eyelids etc. etc.


I wear a mouthguard at night to protect my cheeks from being chomped to pieces! My dentist could see how my weak facial muscles changed my jaw alignment and suggested the mouthguard. Actually, dentists can be useful in these matters.

[slp]

I get the " hippo yawns " and I have come to realise that taking a dose of Baclofen stops them. I have increased to 3 doses daily and they have virtually stopped x maybe worth a try xx

[Samanth]

I have bulbar onset. Is this also your husband’s diagnosis? I’ve never felt my jaw is actually dislocating but at times it feels very unstable and loose, especially when I’m lying down and yawning. It feels as if it is popping and clicking . Even when trying to eat or speak it feels very different.

My husband has ALS, but this has progressed to affect his bulbar muscles too.

I spoke to his neurologist, as well as doing my own research, and she informed that she has seen jaw dislocations in a few patients. It usually clicks back into place spontaneously. I did find out that it is a greater risk if you get botox injections to try and reduce secretions.

"hippo yawns" is such a great description of his yawns slp.