Brasília hospital treats young man for jaw dislocation caused by yawning

A young man in Brasília required emergency medical attention after dislocating his jaw while yawning. The incident, which gained significant attention on social media after being shared by his sibling, resulted in the individual being treated at the Hospital Base de Brasília.

Medical specialists explained that jaw dislocation, or luxation, can occur when the mouth is opened excessively during a yawn. This movement can cause the head of the mandible to exceed the normal range of motion of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and become stuck.

According to dental experts, while this can happen to anyone during an extreme yawn, it is more common in individuals with ligament laxity, joint hypermobility, a history of previous dislocations, or existing TMJ alterations. Risks of prolonged dislocation include intense pain, muscle spasms, difficulty speaking or chewing, and potential fractures in trauma-related cases.