TMJ (Temporal Mandibular Joint) Disease

[lynbrown]

Anyone else got this? Its where your jaws dont fit together properly and cause facial pain. Theres not much to do to treat it and i would like to hear about other people's ways of dealing with it.

[smudge]

I started getting severe jaw & head pain a year ago & my dentist said it was due to me grinding my teeth in my sleep, but sent me to the hospital for a scan - just in case. The hospital diagnosed TMJ & made me a lower jaw guard to use at night to stop the grinding. I still get jaw & ear pain, but there's nothing more they can do, other than use the guard & take pain killers. The consultant did say that using the guard will alleviate the pain in time......

Good luck lyn, hope you soon get sorted out.

[smudge]

Just found another thread about grinding teeth here ......

[gessoo]

I had a mouth guard made once Smudge (because I grind my teeth at night). It was very attractive wearing a rugby type mouthguard to go to bed and I always found it down the bottom of the bed in the morning!! Sorry to stray from your post lynbrown!

[smudge]

LOL gesso! Fortunately mines a small clear one, but I was terrified of swallowing it in the night!

(Bet you've still got your pink dressing gown on)!

Sorry lyn - just replying to gesso!

[woofgang]

I am fortunate in that I have avoided the worst of tmj. I have an achey clicky jaw (always have had) and partially dislocated it once but that's another story.

My dentist who specialised in maxilo mandibular problems said that tmj gets made worse by stress and that something that can help is to reduce the stress in your life and also to deliberately relax your jaw muscles in stressful situations.

With me its driving, so I spent a month or so driving around with my mouth hanging open like an idiot. It actually worked and I now find that I get less pain. He offered me a bite guard but I have real trouble with foreign bodies in my mouth (smudge, gessoo, behave)so wanted to avoid it.

[Kay]

I have TMJ too. My dentist told me this...Close mouth,open teeth slightly and allow the jaw to drop with mouth still closed. Its brings relief rightaway,also a warm cloth helps.

[woofgang]

FINA that,s what my dentist said too! yes it does work

[Litchick]

lyn, I have it too and I have the clear small mouthguard. I can't wear it while sleeping but I do wear it for an hour or so at a time when I feel the tightness/headache, etc. My dentist also recommended staying away from hard foods (carrots, apples, hard pretzels, etc.) and chewy foods (bagels, taffy, caramels) while the TMJ is acting up.

[smudge]

LOL woofgang!

I do find myself gritting my teeth a lot, especially when I'm concentrating. My consultant also recommended eating soft foods & all those exercises too. Another one was to close your mouth, teeth slightly apart & pull the lower jaw backwards - this also helps to alleviate pain.

Sleep well all.

[Regenbow]

Try cranio sacral therapy - practiced by some osteopaths, chiropractors, physical therapists etc. This often relieves the underlying problems and the pain.