Tmj/lock Jaw or Tooth Ache

Why not call the dentist and ask? Any decent dentist would want to see you immediately, the same day, to be sure there isn't something lodged in your gum or between your teeth, which could feel like it was your jaw hurting, and to be sure there isn't an infection starting.

If it's lockjaw, that can be extremely serious right up to fatal. If you had a tetanus shot in the past five years you should be OK but if not, why wait for answers here if you think it could be tetanus?

I have the same thing. I saw two different dentists and was told no on a cavity, or TMJ. It's probably stress in my case. My dentist figures I clench my teeth at night which is causing this. It doesn't make a lot of sense to me, but taking an asprin in the morning helps loosen it up. I was told to get a mouth guard at the drug store, around $20, and try it to see if that helps. I haven't tried it yet but I still may. Good luck.

I had a wisdom tooth do that to me. It was growing in and somehow got infected. It caused my jaw to hurt and swell and I couldn't open my mouth all the way. He had to remove the tooth to fix it. It definitely could be from a tooth or TMJ. It's not lockjaw. From what I understand, that's a deadly condition...but maybe I'm not familiar enough:-)

There are actually a lot of things that can cause jaw pain- I would urge you to get it checked out asap
http://www.medicinenet.com/jaw_pain/symptoms.htm

Hope you feel better soon!! =o)

Any chance you have a wisdom tooth coming in?