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Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
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Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
TMJ? I'll ask here too
I posted this on proboards too, but I've had horrible pain in my jaw for the last 3 days. Its
right below my ear & is only on the left side. I have mild pain
even when I don't move my mouth, but is really really painful to talk
& chew, & was excruciating when I sneezed yesterday.
I don't think I clench or grind my teeth in my sleep, but I guess I don't know. It can't be a tooth abscess, b/c its way back behind where my wisdom teeth would be, but I had those removed over 10 years ago.
This is probably TMJ right? Do I see a doctor about this? I read online to ice & take ibuprofen? If I should see an Md, how long should I wait before making an appt? Should I see a PCP or an ENT?
TIA!
I don't think I clench or grind my teeth in my sleep, but I guess I don't know. It can't be a tooth abscess, b/c its way back behind where my wisdom teeth would be, but I had those removed over 10 years ago.
This is probably TMJ right? Do I see a doctor about this? I read online to ice & take ibuprofen? If I should see an Md, how long should I wait before making an appt? Should I see a PCP or an ENT?
TIA!
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Re: TMJ? I'll ask here too
I suffer from this. Yes, icing and Advil helps. Even icing my neck helps, and stretching. I saw my PCP after the pain made it impossible to chew, and I had redness in my ears like an ear infection, so I got antibiotics and a super pain reliever. She recommended a chiropractor specializing in TMJ and seeing the dentist for a mouthguard (also called a splint) and to make sure my teeth are properly aligned and make sure the bruxism is controlled. Assuming you have TMJ, this is where you are compared to me. I would see the PCP first, who can make sure there's nothing else wrong (ear infection, etc). It's up to you if you should do this now. I waited two weeks and didn't get better and wish I called sooner...I Couldn't even eat mashed potatoes or move my jaw, and it only hurt on one side. The PCP won't be able to do much and probably will refer you to the dentist, but it's still good to see her first or around the same time.
The dentist recommended a guard, so I did it. I had headaches, unbelievable tension in my shoulders and back, dizziness to the point I couldn't drive. It took awhile to get used to, but even after the first night, I felt so much better. I probably did this about a year and a half after seeing the PCP. Only after it progressed severely...dizziness, a lot of pain, swelling, etc. Luckily I did not damage or crack my teeth from bruxism, but they did get crooked. The splint absorbs that pressure and protects the teeth, and they stopped getting more crooked. I think it also is supposed to make your jaw muscles relax when they press on it, rather than having them continue to tighten. It relieved all that tension, which then relieved headaches and dizziness.
Now, three years later, I still use the night guard, and I regularly see a chiropractor for the TMJ. Occasionally I still get tenderness but I'm keeping the headaches and dizziness away.
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When you think you're clenching, press your tongue into the backs of your top teeth. It puts the jaw back and relaxes the muscles.
Also do things to relieve stress. I clench when I'm stressed.
I don't have any personal experience with TMJ but I've read a little about it since I've also suffered from pain caused by tight muscles in the past. Maybe once it's clear that you have TMJ you can also see someone who knows how to treat "trigger points" which are known to cause TMJ. You should read the Trigger Point Therapy Workbook. I tried treating myself for trigger points but going to a professional was way more effective for me.
Also as PP said stress plays a big role in TMJ.
I was having a problem with possibly TMJ a while back. I had horrible jaw pain, and could barely open my mouth. My cousin suggested a book called "Acupressure's Potent Points: A Guide to Self Care for Common Ailments."
And no joke... it worked really well. I don't have any jaw issues anymore.
Thank you all so much for the info!
Its better today, not 100%, & it appears as though my bite is now totally off. Whether thats b/c Im not back to 100% or not, or if this is now something Im going to have to deal w/. (I hope not, I spent 4 years of my life in braces & I don't want to go back!) .
I haven't read anything, but I have been pushing on the spot, a lot, but you got me as to whether or not thats been helping ::shrugs:: I guess I don't care as long as it goes away!
Im totally checking out those books though! Thank you! & my deepest sympathy to all of you who deal w/this on a regular basis!!
My right jaw was painful and popping really loudly for a while. Like everytime I opened my mouth. Really bad when I would yawn. Headaches I attribuited to my form of BCP. My first dentist said there was nothing he could do and referred me to an orthodontist I think. Scans and examinations and they said all they could do would be dislocate my jaw and put it back. No thank you.
I was at the chriopractor a while back and mentioned it to her, she used an activator on the area and it started helping immediately. I just googled activator and TMJ and it seems to help others too http://www.healthboards.com/boards/tmj-disorder-temporomandibular-joint/794802-activator-working.html
I changed dentists and the new one recommended a night guard for my teeth grinding and snoring (who knew my husband would be so lucky!). I was fitted for a top guard that keeps my teeth closing in the correct up and down position. I think it was around $250, but so worth it. I've had it 1 year now and snoring is minimal, grinding is minimal as well but the best is my jaw rarely pops anymore. The tenderness and pain was gone within about the first 2 months. This is the type of guard I use http://www.kellerlab.com/115/products/nti-tss-plus.php
I'll basically ditto everyone else's TMJ explanations. I also went the splint route, and it has been worth every penny because it keeps my jaw stable all night, even when I try to grind/clench.
I see an oral surgeon, who has been fantastic in helping my jaw pain and working with me and my splint. Eventually he recommended seeing an orthodontist to adjust my bite, so I'm currently about halfway through Invisalign, which kind of works like a 24/7 splint.