Might Have TMJ?

It has been going on a few months now and the right side of my jaw will get stuck in place if i open it a certain way. All i have to do is yawn or anything else making my mouth open wide for that matter. Once it gets stuck i have to close  my jaw to get out of the unconvertible feeling. Once i do that it makes a popping sound and it sometimes sorta hurts. Its rather annoying when it happens. I have asked a woman i work with and she said i may have TMJ. She tried to explain it to me but i still don't understand it.

I am a 21 year old male with not alot of money and no health insurance at this time. It will be really hard if i will need any kind of surgery or etc. Can you help me figure out why my jaw is doing this??

Thank you

[mithras]

Hey Josh, I know how you feel. I have had TMj for 2 years now and I'm only 19. If you read my post below on the forums you will see what it is like to have TMJ go untreated for 2 years. It gets really really bad. Luckly, in your case it seems like you have a mild case. I have a few questions for you. Do you grind/clench your teeth at night? Is the locking jaw the only tmj symptom you have. Other symptoms include Sore achy jaw, clogged/pain in ears, headaches, tight neck/head/back muscles, ringing in the ears, sinus-like pressure, sore sensitve teeth. The Temporo-Mandibular Joint is a very complex joint that affects many muscles and nerves in your head and neck. Somtimes it gets stuck due to cartilage, I believe that this is what is causing your jaw to "lock and pop." I would reccommend going to your dentist to get fit with a mouth guard. Also, I would recommend eating soft foods, avoid chewing gum, hard candy, and hard foods etc. It dosent seem like you need surgery at all. I hope this helps. Take it from me...GET IT FIXED EARLY! I am having all sorts of problems because my case was diagnosed very late. Hope this helps.

[OnlyJosh]

I believe i don't do any of the questions you ask me. When my jaw doesn't lock up on me its totally fine/normal. Maybe im at the start of having TMJ. Idk but once i can afford to go into the dentist i will "asap" Thank you for responding back to my question.

[OnlyJosh]

My doctor said to take  4 ibuprofens every 8 hours and that  can help it probably. So thats something i'm going to try.