I have Zoe Ball’s jaw condition – here are the 5 signs you’re at risk

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A WOMAN suffering from the same agonising condition as Zoe Ball – was left with a “locked jaw” and on a blended diet for two years.

Lauren Bolton, 30, has had jaw pain since the age of 15 and was only able to eat soups and shakes for nearly two years.

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Lauren Bolton has suffered from jaw pain for half her lifeCredit: SWNS:South West News Service
She was diagnosed with temporomandibular joint disease - the same condition BBC's Zoe Ball (pictured) has

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She was diagnosed with temporomandibular joint disease – the same condition BBC’s Zoe Ball (pictured) hasCredit: PA:Press Association
Zoe (pictured) announced she was stepping down from her breakfast show after six years at the helm

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Zoe (pictured) announced she was stepping down from her breakfast show after six years at the helmCredit: Instagram
Strangers have donated £95,000 for Lauren (pictured) to have surgery to replace her jaw joint

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Strangers have donated £95,000 for Lauren (pictured) to have surgery to replace her jaw jointCredit: SWNS:South West News Service

She was eventually diagnosed with temporomandibular joint disease (TMJ).

TMJ stands for temporomandibular joint, which is the joint that connects your lower jaw to your skull in front of each ear.

TMJ disorders (TMDs) are a group of conditions that affect the TMJ and the muscles that control jaw movement.

They are believed to affect more than one in 10 Brits and can cause jaw, neck and shoulder pain, headaches, limited jaw movement or locking dizziness and vision problems. 

Strangers have donated £95,000 for Lauren to have surgery to replace her jaw joint – as the joint is too far damaged.

Lauren has already undergone two surgeries – costing £30k – to burn off the inflamed tissue – which meant she was able to return to work and eat again.

Radio 2 DJ Zoe Ball, 54, revealed yesterday she is suffering from TMJ and wakes up most days with headaches and jaw clenching.

Zoe announced she was stepping down from her breakfast show after six years at the helm.

Lauren, who works in business development, from Helmshore, Lancashire, said: “I think it is amazing Zoe is sharing [what she’s going through].

“To have someone on a platform speak out about it and the sacrifices you’ve got to make.

Zoe Ball’s BBC Radio 2 Breakfast replacement revealed as presenter reveals she’s stepping down

“She’s had to come away from her role. I’m sure that wasn’t an easy decision.”

Lauren first started getting jaw pain aged 15 which was initially dismissed for anxiety and stress of her upcoming exams and from grinding her teeth.

She was given a set of jaw exercises and given painkillers but Lauren’s agony became progressively worse.

She said: “My jaw was locked.”

Lauren was finally given a scan aged 25 which revealed her disc was displaced.

Doctors tried “washing out” the joint space and giving her Botox but it got so bad Lauren was put on a blended diet.

She also had to give up her job as a therapist.

She said: “I thought it was going to be a temporary thing.

“It was just short of two years that I was on a blended diet.

On Wednesday, Zoe shared with fans she wakes up most days in pain from TMJ

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On Wednesday, Zoe shared with fans she wakes up most days in pain from TMJ
Initially, Lauren was prescribed only painkillers, even as her condition steadily worsened

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Initially, Lauren was prescribed only painkillers, even as her condition steadily worsenedCredit: SWNS:South West News Service

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“I lost weight. I was five-and-a-half stone at my lowest.”

“I said to the doctors – ‘I’m not able to eat. I’m living on a soups and stuff’.

“They said ‘drink Maccies milkshakes every day’.

“I was so upset.”

Pain relief

Lauren decided to go private to get an answer and was finally told she had temporomandibular joint disease in 2023.

She said: “The diagnosis was a relief.”

But the treatment came with a £95,000 cost – to replace the TMJ jaw joint.

Lauren and her parents, Denise, 56, and dad Paul, 53, put out a fundraiser and managed to raise £65k and were given the rest by an anonymous donator.

But her surgeon recommended she have some operations to fix her pain first – as a replacement jaw joint will likely only last 10 to 15 years.

Lauren underwent a procedure in May 2024 to burn off all the inflamed tissue and to put the displaced discs back in the right place.

For five months Lauren’s pain became manageable.

The 5 signs you’re at risk of TJD

Temporomandibular joint disease (TJD) is a condition affecting the movement of the jaw.

It’s not usually serious and generally gets better on its own.

Symptoms of TMD include:

  1. Pain around your jaw, ear and temple
  2. Clicking, popping or grinding noises when you move your jaw
  3. A headache around your temples
  4. Difficulty opening your mouth fully
  5. Your jaw locks when you open your mouth

The pain may be worse when chewing and when you feel stressed.

TMD can also stop you from getting a good night’s sleep.

Source: NHS

She said: “I started to live my life again. I’m eating.”

Agony has returned

But Lauren then started to notice her pain was increasing again and in November she had surgery to inject platelet-rich plasma into the joint.

Unfortunately, Lauren is still struggling with pain and will now look at the operation for a jaw joint replacement in the new year.

But she is off her blended diet and was able to enjoy an Italian meal for her 30th birthday.

Lauren said: “I had seafood pasta.

“We had a ‘fakemas’ recently. I’ve already had my Christmas dinner – I couldn’t eat it last year.

“This is more than just my story – temporomandibular joint disorders are not well understood or well managed and the long-term results are horrendous.

“It is heartbreaking to think so many other people are living the way I have been forced to.”

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