Woman's Jaw Dislocates While Eating Golgappas: Understanding TMJ Emergencies and Prevention

A 42-year-old woman experienced a jaw dislocation while attempting to eat golgappas in Uttar Pradesh's Auraiya district on Saturday.

Inkala Devi, who resides in Gauri Kishanpur village within the Dibiyapur area, found herself unable to close her mouth following the incident, necessitating immediate medical care.

The woman was visiting Auraiya for work purposes and was staying with her family near the hospital. According to family members present, she had sat down to enjoy golgappas when, upon opening her mouth to take a bite, her jaw suddenly dislocated.

The incident occurred in the presence of her niece-in-law, who was expecting a child, along with other family members.

Savitri, a relative, explained to NDTV, "When Didi opened her mouth for the golgappa, it remained open. Initially, we thought it might be temporary discomfort, but when she couldn't close her mouth, we rushed her to the hospital immediately."

She was promptly taken to the District Joint Hospital where physicians Dr. Manoj Kumar and Dr. Shatrughan Singh attempted unsuccessfully to rectify the jaw dislocation. Subsequently, Inkala Devi was transferred to Chicholi Medical College for specialized treatment. Hospital representatives have indicated she remains in critical condition.

Dr. Shatrughan Singh explained that the dislocation likely resulted from excessive mouth opening, a condition that can occur unexpectedly during eating activities.

"While eating a golgappa, as soon as she opened her mouth, the golgappa was partially inside and partially outside her mouth, and her jaw remained wide open. At the 50-bed district facility, medical staff tried extensively to help her relax and position properly, but it proved extremely difficult. Unable to manage the condition there, we transferred her to the 100-bed district hospital at Chicholi," Dr. Manoj Kumar told NDTV.

He further advised that individuals experiencing jaw pain or difficulty fully opening their mouth should never force it open. Instead, jaw movements should be performed gently.

Dr. Kumar recommended that when eating, people should do so calmly, and those with jaw issues should consult dental surgeons or specialists.

He noted that this case was unprecedented in his experience, emphasizing the extreme rarity of such incidents.

Hospital officials stated that the medical college would provide additional care to stabilize her condition and restore normal jaw function.

Medical experts confirm that jaw dislocation from sudden or excessive mouth opening is a recognized cause of open jaw lock.

Jaw lock is a condition where the jaw becomes immobilized and cannot function normally in terms of opening or closing, according to Dental and TMJ Care.

The condition is categorized into two types:

Open jaw lock: The mouth remains open and cannot be closed.

Close jaw lock: The mouth cannot open or opens only minimally.

Dental professionals explain that jaw lock can occur suddenly during routine activities such as yawning, biting into wide foods like burgers or golgappas, or extending the jaw too far.

Specialists identify several factors that may trigger jaw lock, including ligament laxity, jaw joint misalignment, and displaced discal tissue in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ).

Symptoms of a locked jaw include inability to close or open the mouth, common occurrence during yawning or wide eating, pain in front of the ear, general jaw pain, and pain while biting.