Jaw Cracking

[ladybug]

OK, so my jaw has been cracking since I was like 10. I used to wear a dentist-made night guard for grinding my teeth at night. It seemed to work ok. Then, about 4 years ago, my dog got it and chewed it up. So, since then, I've been using either the ones from the drugstore that you boil and fit to your teeth OR a plastic one that just has little "wings" that don't have to be boiled cause they are just placed between the teeth and not over the teeth. Well, I have had increasingly bad cracking, but its only on my right side of my jaw. Every morning, I wake up with pain in my neck and sinuses on that side, but it goes away once I get out of bed (with no need to take ibuprofren or anything most of the time). Then, throughout the day, I feel a tension in my jaw, so I open my mouth and it makes this really loud crack on the right side. Its acutally not painful.. I feel BETTER after cracking it. It pretty much happens the entire day when I open my mouth a certain way. Sometimes, it also happens when I chew really chewy foods.

So, my question is, has anyone else had jaw cracking? Only on one side of their mouth?? My dentist, whom I saw last week, was adament that I get another dentist-made device, but the fact is, my insurance doesn't cover it and my jaw rarely HURTS cause of it.... Its almost like a stress reliever to crack it. Hmmmm.... Do you think I'm damaging anything by cracking it? Does it sound like TMJ? I'm just kinda worried, and at the same time, don't want to spend hundreds of dollars on a night guard that isn't necesary if its not from grinding.

What do ya'll think?!?

Thanks-

 

[coltsfan715]

I have always had "jaw cracking." I usually get the same tension you are talkig about and I just open my mouth real wide and it pops. It has always done it. I remember going to the dentist when I was younger and them feeling/hearing it when they would have me open my mouth. They would ask if it hurt ... it never did ... and still doesn't .. so they would just let it go. I did have a night guard for my mouth for a short time - I still have it but I have gotten my wisdom teeth removed and my teeth shifted so it no longer fits my mouth. I haven't been to the dentist for it and have never had a dentist say there is a problem so long as there is no pain.

Since I haven't had any dentist say it is a bad thing I wouldn't worry about it, but that is me. If I had only talked to your dentist and he was adament about getting another night guard I would ask why it is bad and is it hurting something if I don't get a guard. I would get concerned and pursue getting another night guard if it becomes painful or is just plain out bothersome to you.

Lindsey

 

[EnergyGal]

I do believe that is what it is called TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Syndrome) when the jaw pops. If you had braces when you were a kid that usually is the cause.

I was told by a dentist it is BAD to try and crack your jaw. Taking magnesium helps a lot. A massage therapist gave me the best advice. I use to get TMJ headaches and what took it away was this technique he told me.

Take your thumb and reach all the way on the inside of either your upper molar or bottom molar to start. If you go to the top press up hard and then go toward the bottom molar and press down hard. You are helping to release the joint there. Your headache if you have one will go away in a few minutes. Then switch sides and do the same. I say do this twice to each side.

Try to be aware of the way you hold your face muscles. Some people tense up without even realizing what they are doing. It is like a holding pattern which causes stress to the face and jaw. Pay attention to relaxing the tongue and you should be able to train yourself to release the jaw muscles.

hope this helps

 

[ladybug]

Thank you, ladies!

I actually made the mistake of telling my new dentist (we just moved here) that my neck and head hurts a lot in the morning (which it does, but usually goes away). Right away, she saw that as a red flag that I was grinding. Urgh. Why did I open my mouth?! (no pun intended!)

Risa, I will try that. Thank you. Its so strange that its only one side (even my dentist said that).

Also, it was years ago when I was fitted for the night guard, but doesn't it make you gag and is really terrible when they take the impressions?!?! Urgh.... I gag so easily, and am terrified!

 

[EnergyGal]

If you can go to a good chiropractor they can fix your neck and usually if your jaw is out of alignment your neck is too. It all starts in the jaw I believe. Try to keep good posture too. It all helps.

 

[AttyMom]

Sonia,

I agree with all Risa mentioned. I too have had teeth grinding and TMJ like issues...exercise can help because the grinding oftentimes is due to stress that your body is trying to work through at night by grinding...

Good luck!

Laura

P.S. And I agree--I had a dental mold made too--awful gag, that stuff is gross!

 

[thefrogprincess]

Welcome to TMJ!!!!!!!!!! I've had it since I was 17 when I got a bunch of fillings done and the dentists didn't do a good job of making sure my teeth fit together right. Some things that have helped me and my mom who also has it are seeing a chiroprator. They can pop your jaw the right way so that you get relief from any aches but it doesn't deteriorate the joint. Sometimes I take a mild muscle relaxer at night if it has been bothering me during the day. That can help with grinding too because you're like a limp noodle, very relaxed. My mom went to physical therapy for it for a while and she said that helped a lot even though it hurt at first. I don't like wearing my night guard because it leaves a nasty taste in my mouth in the morning. Also avoid chewy food and gum.

 

[Scarlett81]

i clench my jaw shut all night and crack my jaw all day long. don't know why.