My TMJ Journey: From Gum Pain to Jaw Lock and Surgery

I still remember writing that post back in 2013. “Ouch, my gums.” At the time, it felt like a very specific problem. Painful, frustrating, but contained. Something I thought would pass, or at least settle into the background of my life like so many other health niggles had before.

Looking back now, I can see it for what it really was. The beginning of my TMJ journey.

If you had told me then that over a decade later I would be living with severe TMJ disorder, unable to open my mouth more than a single finger width, I would not have believed you.

But this is where I am now.

From Early TMJ Symptoms to Jaw Lock

That early gum pain and the need for a splint were not isolated issues. They were early signs of something deeper going on within my jaw.

Over the years, things slowly worsened.

My jaw began clicking more. Then clanking. Then locking. There were times I could not open my mouth fully without forcing it, and even then it felt tight, restricted, wrong. At the time, I did not fully understand what was happening. I just adapted, like so many of us do when symptoms creep in gradually.

Now, my reality is very different.

I live with constant jaw pain. Eating has become difficult, something I have to think about rather than enjoy. When the spasms hit across my jaw, face, and neck, they are overwhelming. This is not mild discomfort. It is intense, persistent, and exhausting.

My TMJ Diagnosis: MRI Results Explained

After years of worsening symptoms, I finally had an MRI scan of my jaw last year. For the first time, I had answers.

The results showed multiple structural issues, including bone growth that is physically restricting my jaw movement. But the most significant finding was disc displacement without reduction.

In simple terms, the discs in my jaw are dislocated and stuck. They are not moving back into place when I open my mouth, which is why my jaw locks and why my movement is so limited.

Reading that explained everything.

The pain. The restriction. The feeling that my jaw simply would not cooperate, no matter how gently I tried to work with it.

Arthrocentesis for TMJ: My Experience

As a first step, I underwent arthrocentesis. This is a minimally invasive procedure where the jaw joint is flushed out and gently stretched to try and improve movement.

I went into it holding onto hope, even though my maxillofacial surgeon had explained that it might not work in my case.

And it didn’t.

That was difficult to process. Not because I was shocked, but because when you are living with chronic TMJ pain, you hold onto even the smallest chance of relief.

When TMJ Surgery Becomes an Option

After that, the conversation changed.

My surgeon explained that the next steps would involve more invasive TMJ surgery. This could mean removing the discs entirely, or even considering a total jaw replacement.

Hearing those words felt surreal. Jaw replacement is not something you ever imagine being part of your life.

Because my case is complex, I was referred to a TMJ specialist. There are only a handful of surgeons in the UK who specialise in advanced jaw surgery, so choosing who to trust felt incredibly important. We chose a specialist in Bedfordshire who came highly recommended by my current surgeon.

Waiting for Answers: CT Scan and MRI

I have now had my first appointment with the TMJ specialist. Since then, I have had further tests including X-rays and blood tests.

Now I am waiting again. This time for a CT scan of my jaw and an MRI of my brain and nerves.

Waiting is something that becomes very familiar when you live with chronic illness. But this kind of waiting feels heavier. Because it is not just about results. It is about decisions, treatment plans, and what my future might look like.

Once these scans are complete, I will have my second appointment where everything will be discussed. The options. The risks. The possible outcomes.

Living with Severe TMJ: Pain, Food and Daily Life

Right now, I am living in the in-between.

I cannot open my mouth properly. I struggle to eat. I am now facing the reality of moving onto a soft food diet, not as a short-term fix, but as something I may need long term until my jaw is treated.

And that has been harder than I expected.

I love texture in food. Crunchy, crispy, those small sensory joys that make eating feel normal. Losing that feels like losing a small but meaningful part of everyday life.

This condition affects more than just my jaw. It affects how I eat, how I plan my day, how I manage pain, and how I experience even the simplest routines.

The Emotional Side of TMJ

Alongside the physical pain, there is also the emotional weight of it all.

I am nervous about what comes next. About surgery. About recovery. About the unknown.

But more than that, I am tired.

Tired of constant pain. Tired of adapting. Tired of missing the ease of things I used to take for granted.

This journey, from that first post in 2013 to now, has been slow and layered. What started as gum pain has become something structural, something that can no longer be managed with small adjustments.

Looking Ahead

I do not know exactly what comes next yet.

But I do know this.

I am allowed to feel nervous. I am allowed to grieve the things I am losing, even if they seem small to others. And I am allowed to hold onto hope that there is a way forward, even if it looks different to what I expected.

If you are reading this and have followed my journey, thank you. Truly.

And if you are here because you are dealing with TMJ, jaw pain, or something similar, and you feel stuck in your own body, I want you to know this.

You are not alone in this.

This is hard. Incredibly hard.

But there are others of us walking this path too.

About me

I am a married mother of four children. One of those children is our granddaughter, for whom we are legal guardians and kinship carers. I run a small business, and I love to write, which is how this blog came to be. I write about family life, kinship care, and my experiences living with chronic illness and disability, including ME CFS, spinal stenosis, TMJD, chronic pain, and fibromyalgia. I am also very aware that I am doing all of this in my mid-forties, which still surprises me some days.

You’re not alone here. You’re welcome to stay as long as you need.

FAQ: My TMJ Journey, Jaw Pain and Locked Jaw

• What is TMJ disorder?

  TMJ disorder (temporomandibular joint disorder) affects the joints that connect your jaw to your skull. It can cause pain, stiffness, clicking, locking, and difficulty opening your mouth properly. In my case, it progressed over time and became much more severe than I ever expected.

• What does a locked jaw feel like?

  For me, a locked jaw means I can only open my mouth about one finger width. It feels tight, restricted, and painful. Eating becomes difficult, and even simple things like talking for too long can cause discomfort or spasms.

• What is disc displacement without reduction?

  This is what I was diagnosed with after my MRI. It means the discs in my jaw are out of place and not moving back into position when I open my mouth. That is what is causing my jaw to lock and limiting my movement.

• Can TMJ disorder get worse over time?

  Yes, it can. My symptoms started quite mildly with gum pain and teeth grinding, but over the years it developed into severe jaw restriction, chronic pain, and the need to consider surgery.

• What is arthrocentesis for TMJ?

  Arthrocentesis is a procedure where the jaw joint is flushed out and stretched to try and improve movement. I had this done, but unfortunately it did not work for me, although it can help others depending on their condition.

• Will I need jaw surgery for TMJ?

  I have been told that surgery is now a likely next step for me. This could involve removing the discs or even a total jaw replacement. I am currently waiting for further scans and a treatment plan from my specialist.

• How do you eat with a locked jaw?

  Eating is one of the hardest parts. I am now moving towards a soft food diet because I cannot open my mouth enough for normal meals. It is a big adjustment, especially when you enjoy food textures like I do.

• Is TMJ pain constant?

  For me, yes. There is always a level of pain, but it can get much worse with spasms in my jaw, face, and neck. It is exhausting and affects daily life more than people often realise.

• What were your first TMJ symptoms?

  Looking back, my first signs were teeth grinding, gum pain, and a clicking jaw. At the time they seemed small, but they were actually early warning signs of a bigger issue.

• Can you live a normal life with TMJ disorder?

  You can adapt, but it does change daily life. From eating to managing pain and planning your day, it becomes something you always have to consider. It is not just physical, it affects you emotionally as well.

This post shares my personal experience with TMJ disorder and jaw pain. I am not a medical professional, and this is not medical advice. If you are experiencing similar symptoms, please speak to a qualified healthcare professional.