tiki Posted April 20, 2005 Share Posted April 20, 2005 Yes, I know. I'm falling apart here. I'm positive I have TMJ, it's been going on all my life. I've been diagnosed when I was younger. My jaws pop all the time too. My jaws are sore often. Like, really FRICKIN sore. Ibuprofen helps at times, but sometimes I need heat and compression. They'll stay sore for days. I'm hurtin. My coworker gave me some gum to loosen the joint, sometimes that helps, sometimes it makes it worse. Does anyone else have this? I don't have dental insurance or I'd so be there. I'm a teeth grinder too, I wonder if that's what it is? My H hasn't complained of hearing it at night recently. My mom gave me one of those things to sleep in ( a night guard) but it's so bulky (and ugly). But anyway, my jaw is swollen. I'm about to wet some papertowels and heat em up if the gum doesn't cut it. Does anyone else have to deal with this? Link to post Share on other sites
Merin Posted April 20, 2005 Share Posted April 20, 2005 Yep... I had TMJ as well.. it also caused headaches at times... Even though you don't have dental insurance I would call around and find out how much you could get a bite adjustment done for in a GD's office.. and possibly have a night guard made for you (they take impressions of your teeth) so it fits perfect for your mouth and jaw... A bite adjustment may solve the problem;) Link to post Share on other sites
Pocky Posted April 20, 2005 Share Posted April 20, 2005 My mother had surgery for her TMJ. I grind my teeth at night and my jaw will pop out of place if I try to open my mouth while my head in in a certain position. Once it pops out, it's extremely painful and it's almost as if I can't align my jaw back again. From my understanding, chewing gum can actually promote difficulties with TMJ so you probably shouldn't be chewing it at all if you're having this much pain with your jaw. Heat will help the blood flow and I believe that is supposed to alleviate the pain associated with TMJ. Link to post Share on other sites
Author tiki Posted April 20, 2005 Author Share Posted April 20, 2005 I will do that, thank you. Link to post Share on other sites
bebegal Posted April 20, 2005 Share Posted April 20, 2005 A bite adjustment may solve the problem Merin-- what is a bite adjuestment..never heard of it?? thanks Link to post Share on other sites
tokyo Posted April 20, 2005 Share Posted April 20, 2005 What is TMJ? Link to post Share on other sites
Merin Posted April 20, 2005 Share Posted April 20, 2005 Originally posted by bebegal Merin-- what is a bite adjuestment..never heard of it?? thanks Often times people will need what is called an Occlusal Adjustment (Bite Adj) It reshapes the occlusal surfaces of the teeth to create hamonious contact between the maxillary and mandibular teeth (top and bottom) When you bite down your teeth should be meeting and touching at the same point of contact... This can be adjusted at your Doc's office to eliminate jaw pain, headaches associated with TMJ, improve chewing and possible reduce grinding... however sometimes a night guard is still needed to prevent further damage by grinders.. Link to post Share on other sites
bebegal Posted April 20, 2005 Share Posted April 20, 2005 do all dentists do this--what kind of surgery is required..? Thanks for the info Link to post Share on other sites
Merin Posted April 20, 2005 Share Posted April 20, 2005 Originally posted by bebegal do all dentists do this--what kind of surgery is required..? Thanks for the info Most General Dentist I would think could do this.. I work for a specialist... An Occlusal Adjustment is resurfacing of the teeth.. so there aren't any surgical incisions made. A dental hand piece is used with burs to grind the teeth or reshape the occlusal surface (if you will) so that the teeth are making contact at the same time. Link to post Share on other sites
Author tiki Posted April 20, 2005 Author Share Posted April 20, 2005 I called my dentist and they can't get me in until tomorrow. Don't you love it? Kooky, TMJ = Temporo-Mandibular Joint Link to post Share on other sites
Merin Posted April 20, 2005 Share Posted April 20, 2005 Originally posted by tiki I called my dentist and they can't get me in until tomorrow. Don't you love it? Kooky, TMJ = Temporo-Mandibular Joint I hope you feel better Girl! After I got a bite adjustment I know I felt much, much better;) Link to post Share on other sites
tokyo Posted April 20, 2005 Share Posted April 20, 2005 Tiki, what happens when you have TMJ? Link to post Share on other sites
blind_otter Posted April 20, 2005 Share Posted April 20, 2005 I've had TMJD for a while. I also had like 6 bite adjustments, seriously. Every time I would go in he would make me bite down on this red paper and then grind down my teeth and I would get this weird grit in my mouth. I wore retainers, I did EVERYTHING. I still get migranes and horrible myofacial pain. I eat tylenol like it's candy, and zantac to make my stomach OK to deal with the tylenol. I'm going to ask my neurologist about this because I've had 2 MRI's of my head and neck and a CT scan you'd think they would find SOME reason for all this. Link to post Share on other sites
Merin Posted April 20, 2005 Share Posted April 20, 2005 Originally posted by blind_otter I've had TMJD for a while. I also had like 6 bite adjustments, seriously. Every time I would go in he would make me bite down on this red paper and then grind down my teeth and I would get this weird grit in my mouth. I wore retainers, I did EVERYTHING. I still get migranes and horrible myofacial pain. I eat tylenol like it's candy, and zantac to make my stomach OK to deal with the tylenol. I'm going to ask my neurologist about this because I've had 2 MRI's of my head and neck and a CT scan you'd think they would find SOME reason for all this. Damn Girl! They made you a night guard as well? Didn't work? Link to post Share on other sites
Author tiki Posted April 20, 2005 Author Share Posted April 20, 2005 TMJ diseases and disorders refer to a complex and poorly understood set of conditions, manifested by pain the the area of the jaw and associated muscles and limitations in the ability to make the normal movements of speech, facial expression, eating, chewing, and swallowing. Conditions that routinely affect other joints in the body, such as arthritis and trauma, also affect the TM joint. Number of TMJ Sufferers: The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research of the National Institutes of Health indicates that 10.8 million people in the United States suffer from TMJ problems at any given time. Profile of TMJ Sufferers: Both men and women experience TMJ problems; however, 90 percent of those seeking treatment are women in their childbearing years. Causes: Medical research has not yet defined all the causes of the various TMJ diseases/disorders. Some patients report having TMJ symptoms following dental procedures, the insertion of a breathing tube prior to surgery, trauma, or oral habits such as clenching or grinding the teeth. Conditions that occur in other joints in the body, such as arthritis, can also precipitate or aggravate TMJ pain and dysfunction. ^EXCERPT FROM tmj.ORG I wonder if my breathing tube irritated it, I had ear surgery almost two weeks ago. I contacted my dentist again, and she recommended calling my ENT. I called them and am waiting for a call back. My ENT probably thinks I'm nutzo. And, of course, I'm having a lot of headaches too. Never out it all together. But today the whole side of my frickin face is sore as a bitch. All the way up my face. Link to post Share on other sites
blind_otter Posted April 20, 2005 Share Posted April 20, 2005 Originally posted by Merin Damn Girl! They made you a night guard as well? Didn't work? Yeap. I had the night guard thingy it worked but I chewed through 3 of them in about 10 months. I have no dental insurance so it's expensive. I'll get another one in April/June when I go to the dentist again. I need to have my wisdom teeth out anyways. Blah. Link to post Share on other sites
Pocky Posted April 20, 2005 Share Posted April 20, 2005 You sure it's TMJ and not a sinus infection or an infection in one of your teeth? That will cause your face to be extremely sore. Link to post Share on other sites
Merin Posted April 20, 2005 Share Posted April 20, 2005 Originally posted by blind_otter Yeap. I had the night guard thingy it worked but I chewed through 3 of them in about 10 months. I have no dental insurance so it's expensive. I'll get another one in April/June when I go to the dentist again. I need to have my wisdom teeth out anyways. Blah. Wow! You must be a serious grinder sister! I find myself still clenching my jaw a lot... I have to make an effort not to do it... Wisdom teeth... LOL Gdamn third molars! No one likes having them taken out! Link to post Share on other sites
blind_otter Posted April 20, 2005 Share Posted April 20, 2005 I don't think so, I've had this pain since like 2001 and I have taken antibiotics and stuff since then. BUT, I regularly use a steroidal nasal inhaler, which could be masking infection. You'd think they would see that in the CT scan or MRI of my head and neck, though, eh? And I have been pregnant twice since 2001 so they did bloodwork. Link to post Share on other sites
Author tiki Posted April 20, 2005 Author Share Posted April 20, 2005 Originally posted by Pocky You sure it's TMJ and not a sinus infection or an infection in one of your teeth? That will cause your face to be extremely sore. Yeah, my teef are fine. And no major sinus probs, although my headaches have felt like sinus headaches. I think I'm clenching my teeth or something. I notice it comes with stress. The dentist records show that they wanted me to get a night guard before, but I always turn it down. I'm so stupid not to have asked my ENT about it, but who'da thunkit? I've wondered about Arthritis in the joint too. Seems like it hurts when it rains, probably my frickin imagination. Link to post Share on other sites
Merin Posted April 20, 2005 Share Posted April 20, 2005 Originally posted by tiki ^EXCERPT FROM tmj.ORG I wonder if my breathing tube irritated it, I had ear surgery almost two weeks ago. I contacted my dentist again, and she recommended calling my ENT. I called them and am waiting for a call back. My ENT probably thinks I'm nutzo. And, of course, I'm having a lot of headaches too. Never out it all together. But today the whole side of my frickin face is sore as a bitch. All the way up my face. Tiki, can you localize where the pain is? OR is it generalized pain? Just wondering if you have something in addition to TMJ going on? Link to post Share on other sites
Author tiki Posted April 20, 2005 Author Share Posted April 20, 2005 The joint is sore, right where the mandible is. Then it swells. Then the pain radiates, spreads, whatever, to the surrounding area. It's not a sharp pain by ANY means, more like a dull son of a bitch kind of pain. I'm such a wuss. And I look so cute with a swollen face. Link to post Share on other sites
Merin Posted April 20, 2005 Share Posted April 20, 2005 Originally posted by tiki The joint is sore, right where the mandible is. Then it swells. Then the pain radiates, spreads, whatever, to the surrounding area. It's not a sharp pain by ANY means, more like a dull son of a bitch kind of pain. I'm such a wuss. And I look so cute with a swollen face. I'll be interested to see what your Doc says.. Get that night guard made when you can... the one's that are MADE for you fit much better and are more comfortable than the ones you can buy at the drug store... Link to post Share on other sites
tokyo Posted April 20, 2005 Share Posted April 20, 2005 Originally posted by tiki The joint is sore, right where the mandible is. Then it swells. Then the pain radiates, spreads, whatever, to the surrounding area. It's not a sharp pain by ANY means, more like a dull son of a bitch kind of pain. I'm such a wuss. And I look so cute with a swollen face. They took my wisdom tooth on Friday out. I definitely do not look cute with a half-swollen face. Tiki, you're not a wuss, you're cool. Link to post Share on other sites
laRubiaBonita Posted April 20, 2005 Share Posted April 20, 2005 here is an old TMJ post of mine.....maybe it will help too! GUM!!! That would only make mine worse! The only thing besides pain meds, is just keeping my mouth closed. and the dentist is the worsy aggrivator of my TMJ. http://www.loveshack.org/forums/t37277/?highlight=tmj Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts