Jaw popping/clicking

[n00b]

When I had my medical done a few weeks ago, the doctor asked me to open and close my mouth and tell him if there was any clicking. I did that, and there was nothing. He subsequently made a note that there was no jaw problems.  However, it is a problem (the clicking) I have had in the past and it seems to be affecting me again now. There is no pain when this happens, but I am curious as to what sort of jaw problems the medical officer is looking for when asking about this. Any ideas?

 

[Fishbone Jones]

We are not doctors here. The only one that can answer your question is the doctor that asked you.

Cheers.

 

[hypothermiac]

The little bones that make up the "hinge" for your mandible (the part that moves) are pretty delicate. For instance...

Back in high school I once went running with a mouthful of gum. As I was chewing and jogging along, I felt something click on one side of my face. I finished the run, but when I tried to open my mouth I found it wouldn't open any wider than about half an inch. I was squishing bread into little bits and sticking them through that half-inch gap for the next few days until I got in to see the chiropractor.

He told me that the little ball-like end of the mandible (I think it's called the condyle) had slid out of place. It's only a tiny shift, but it's a tiny bone; and your jaw muscles are really strong, so they quickly sieze up around the joint. And then it's stuck that way.

I guess the recruiters just want to make sure you're gonna be able to eat