3. Lock Jaw
This jaw dysfunction is well-known as a symptom of the bacterial infection known as Tetanus. This disorder prevents you from opening your mouth completely, due to excessive inflammation of the TMJ. Symptoms of the disorder range from tightness in the jaw while yawning or chewing, to full-blown symptoms that prevent the jaw from moving at all.
Lockjaw usually only presents itself in the advanced stages of TMJ disorder. Some people suffering from TMJ may never experience any lockjaw symptoms if the dysfunction is diagnosed and treated in its early stages. However, if the condition is left undiagnosed and untreated, symptoms will progress eventually manifesting lockjaw.
Lockjaw is a severe symptom of TMJ and may be challenging to reverse. If the disc displaces itself during yawning, or while clenching your jaw, your jaw may be locked open or closed. The stress placed on the jaw muscles in either of these states inflicts severe pain and requires immediate treatment by a medical professional.