I had a lot of dental work done this past fall and had a crown put on that just never felt 100% 'right'.
I have, since October, gone through a week here and there where I find myself clenching my teeth or biting down because my mouth/teeth just feel awkward in there. It makes my jaw sore and I have to force myself to be aware of the clenching for a few days until I've broken the habit.
Then about a month and a half ago I woke up because I must've clenched my teeth in my sleep and it was strong enough to wake me up. It was happening once or twice a week.
I have a generic drug store mouth guard that seemed to help a little bit as it was keeping me from clenching... but this past week I've been having super bad pain. I don't THINK its tooth pain. I've had LOTS of teeth pain in the past and its not an individual tooth.
It hurts right at the jaw line... like I can directly point to it under my ear and its only on my one side.
I've been reading up about it and I feel like this is what it is... there's no clicking or popping sounds.
Does anyone here have TMJ and have any input on this? It's driving me crazy.
SoontobeMrs.Brown
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Re: TMJ
Feel better!!
AwaitingAugust
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sorry, i don't have it ... but i hope you feel better soon!
soontobecruz
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I have it. My jaw clicks and pops all the time. Loudly too.
I clench in my sleep when I am nervous or anxious and I always wake up with a stiff tight jaw. Sometimes it's so stiff it's actually difficult to eat.
Unfortunatley I don't think there is anything to do for it. My densits has recomended a night gaurd for me but they are so uncomfortable. I can't sleep with it so I deal.
when it is acting up I will put a warm moist washcloth on that side of my cheek/jaw in the evening when relaxing that sometimes helps. Advil and I try as you said to notice when I am clenched awake and try to relax my jaw.
try to eat softer foods when it is acting up. I try and avoid steaks and tough things when I'm in pain.
Sorry I don't have actual medical advice for you this is just what seems to sometimes work for me. In time it always subsides
flibbertigibbet
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Re: TMJ
thanks, Shauna.
I know, the mouth guard like is annoying. FH is worried I'm going to choke on it.
Spring143
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Re: TMJ
idid have it. i spend a lot of money on a night guard that i never wear because i always throw it out of my mouth in the middle of the night. i took muscle relaxers-that helped A LOT!! I have a double jointed jaw and was popping my jaw out when i opened my mouth-the muscle relaxers along with practice not to open large helped and now my jaw doesnt pop or get stuck.
eta: the relaxers were prescribed by my oral surgeon
T E R I
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It definitely sounds like TMJ painM. I would get that every year around the same time and think it was my ears and my reg doctor would laugh and say no its that time of the year again and he would give me a prescpription for pain meds that worked awesome for it.
I haven't had it happen in a few years, so I never had it fully looked at by my dentist, but my jaw cracks a lot which is from the TMJ also.
Feel better
T E R I
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Re: TMJ
It definitely sounds like TMJ painM. I would get that every year around the same time and think it was my ears and my reg doctor would laugh and say no its that time of the year again and he would give me a prescpription for pain meds that worked awesome for it.
I haven't had it happen in a few years, so I never had it fully looked at by my dentist, but my jaw cracks a lot which is from the TMJ also.
Feel better
Soon2BNavi
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my mom had it - she had surgery to fix it if you want more info on her doctor (who was great) i can get it for you.
GracieJMay2010
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I have had TMJ since I am 20....thats over 15 years.
The moment i started clicking I went to the dentist (not knowing what it was).
I was daignosed with TMJ.
AND, the god news is its the last time I had pain (for the most part).
My dentist was a TMJ expert. I got fitted for the correct kind of night guard. I have worn it (except for 'sexy time') every night since the day I got it and have never had a problem.
It takes a bit of time to get used to, but the guard changed my life. I am a singer and would not be able to sing without it.
Go to the dentist. Go to a dentist that specializes in TMJ. They WILL be able to help you, but you have to help yourself as well ie: wearing a guard.
Good luck!
ETA: the guard has little nobbies in it that help keep it in place. You wont choke on it during the night.
lisagail55
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Re: TMJ
There are 2 parts to TMJ - grinding and clenching. Sounds like you are just clenching. I personally feel that a mouth guard does nothing for clenching. Mouth guards protect your teeth from grinding down you enamel. when I used a night guard all I did was clench harder because of was a little soft and chewing feeling in my mouth. I went to a specialist and he said he could fit me for a guard, but he even said, I'm not sure if it will be worth it to you. I also went to a physical therapist that specializes in TMJ- that helped a lot! If I recall you are in Farmingville, right? That's where the specialist happens to be! In the shopping center across fromt he volunteer FD, with the Dunkin Donuts and the Slot Car racing place. Also, see if you can get some flexeril prescribed and teach yourself to sleep on your back. That's what helped me! FM me if you have any more questions!!! :)
sugarnspice
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Re: TMJ
yep.... i dislocated my jaw when i was 15 ever since then it just goes in and out... tmj USUALLY nis on the hinge of your jaw... more towards your cheek then behind your ear.
be aware of when you yawn, not to chew gum or taffy or stuff of the like
when the pain is bad.... push your jaw to one side... aka the painful side... meaning if the left part of your jaw hurts push on the right side.. this makes it hurt a bit more but when you release it will better. its all your tendons tightening up
does that make sense?
Im_My_Own_Princess
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I have it... my dentist had to break my jaw when I was about 11 or 12 to do a root canal and crown on a back molar... then I had my 12 year olds pulled out, because my mouth is so small... my ENT thinks that the TMJ is what causes my migraines... I dont think so.
but yea, TMJ suc ks, my jaw locks (at the wrong time ), it pops and cracks and sometimes i can't eat/chew
I had a mouth guard for a little while years ago, it didn't help. warm compress soothes the pain, but honestly, advil works great for me or an anti-inflammatory.
feel better!
FutureCap
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Re: TMJ
i have it..... i just about never chew gum, dentist told me that was one of the worst things for it. But I tend to clensh my teeth when I am stressed without realizing it too and then will be sore for a day or too. and it clicks, somedays worse than others. i noticed if i do start chew gum , it definitely gets worse again.
miamimerger
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Re: TMJ
i have it...it actually got a little better after i got my wisdom teeth out, but i still have it due to the fact that the braces i had misaligned my teeth (they are straight but they are not where they should be lined up).
first of all, those over the counter mouth guards can actually really make TMJ pain worse. i would ask for MULTIPLE recommendations for a TMJ specialist. a lot would actually steer clear of a mouth guard or bite plate because it doesn't solve the problem. best of luck!
flibbertigibbet
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thanks everyone!
GracieJMay2010
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Re: TMJ
I dont chew gum and stay away from 'gummi' type candy.
But I disagree with the poster that says a guard does nothing for clenching. I think it still keeps you teeth in line and helps you to clench a certain way and protects your jaw.
But I forgot!
I alwo went for some rehab and the chiro. It fkuking HURT at Chiro, but he did a GREAT job!!!
MikesBride2B
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I probably have it...I clench my teeth A LOT (while asleep and awake) and I have a decent amount of pain on the left side of my jaw back by my ear. I tried sleeping with a mouth guard but it didn't really do anything for me...its sitting next to my bed unused.
I kinda just deal with it...but don't take me as an example, I deal with a lot of pain I probably don't have to lol
