TMJ

[ladybug]

OK, so some of you know about my ongoing jaw craking,pressue and pain. Well, they just made a nightguard for me at the dentist and said if that doesn't work, they'll refer me to a TMJ specialist. So, my question is does anyone else have this? Does a nightguard help? What else do you do to get relief?

I've also noticed in the past 2 days I've used the guard, I've been in extreme pain the next morning... Aleve and Ibuprofren do not work. Is this normal when you're first wearing a guard? Its not just my teeth that hurt, but my jaw is in worse pain than when I didn't wear a guard! urgh!!!

So, what do you think? Anyone have any experience with this and how do YOU get relief? Is the only alternative to pain to have jaw surgery? oh no!!!!

Thanks,

 

[lightNlife]

My sister and I both use a bag of frozen peas applied for short periods of time to help numb the pain.

A night guard takes some getting used to. I don't know much of your details, but just for the sake of argument I'm going to assume that you've got a diagnosed TMJ issue? Have you ruled out any underlying stress issues that may be causing you to clench your teeth at night?

Sorry if this is a simplistic response. Just throwing my $0.02 in here. I hope you find some relief soon! Jaw pain bites! (har har)

 

[Emily65Roses]

I have it, but very minorly. It causes a really sharp pain when I eat something and haven't in a while, but it goes away very quickly. And it does get tense/locked, but it doesn't really pop. So I can't be of much help. Heh.

 

[EnergyGal]

Hello

I wrote to you a few months ago on this form about a technique that I use. see if you can find the post if not, I will write it up again.

Pay attention to the way you smile. Some people have a stressed smile or a hold their jaw in a certain pattern without realizing this. Only you would know how your face feels lol
so what I would do is, relax your face as much as you can. Pay attention to where your tongue goes. Does it stay on the roof of your mouth or does it push against your teeth? Try to make a soft tongue (I learned this in yoga). This position will help you relax your facial muslces hopefully improving your jaw too.

please do a search. Today I am only online for a short bit

 

[ladybug]

Thanks, Risa...

I actually read that when you posted and have tried very hard to keep my toungue "at rest" as you suggested. It hasn't helped. If anything, the jaw pain has gotten far worse since I've been focusing so much on relaxing my jaw. Its very odd. I do appreciate your comments however. I wish it would work for me, but its been months, and relaxing my mouth just isn't giving me relief. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif" border="0">

 

[ladybug]

Another thing I question is the fact that some TMJ symptoms are caused by arthritis. Has anyone else heard this? If I dont' have problems anywhere else in my body, would it be wierd to ONLY have arthritis in my jaw?!?

 

[EnergyGal]

It is a weird thing that I do but I constantly (when I am not aware) hold a smile with closed lips. It is strange. My cheek muscles are flexed. That creates pressure on my jaw sometimes. The strange things that people do.

 

[coltsfan715]

I have this and it often times causes me to get headaches throughout the day. I had a night guard made several years ago, but am no longer able to use it because I had my wisdom teeth removed shortly after getting the guard and my teeth moved, so now it does not fit.

To me I had serious discomfort the day after wearing it - it reminded me of the soreness I would get when I would wear my retainer at night - or for extended periods of time after having not worn it for days or weeks.

They are also somewhat hard/stiff so that can cause some discomfort too. Also you may be biting down even harder at night because there is something between your teeth. I found that I did that for several nights when I first got mine, and to be honest I stopped using it even before I had gotten my wisdom teeth removed because it hurt so badly. Then when I tried using it again ... no luck.

I will throw something out there that you may be able to try if the discomfort does not go away. I will add I do not know if this would be recommended, but know several of my friends with jaw problems and no dental insurance do this to alleviate pain. They go to an athletics store and buy those disposable rubber mouth pieces - the ones that you boil and bite on to get the impression of your teeth. They seem to work for the people that I know that use them. I don't know how effective that would be for you.

Also have you had your wisdom teeth removed? I had more serious pain and worse headaches before I had mine removed is why I ask. Since I had them removed a few years back I do not experience pain nearly as often. I didn't know if that would maybe be having an effect on you as well.

Hope the pain gets better. Did the doc say that your mouth would be sore for the first few days of you using the guard? If not maybe call and see what they think. If so maybe it just takes some time to adjust to it.

Lindsey

 

[anonymous]

TMJ is compklicate dfor those not understanding it. This is a long answer:

No, night guards shouldn't cause more pain. In fact, therapeutically it should be called an appliance and be able to reduce almost all pain; either for the
1) upper jaw (called the maxilla) and hence referred to as a maxillary appliance. It is usually preferred for sleeping to assist jaw (mandible) positioning in case you are a clencher (clenching teeth) or bruxer (grinding teeth) when sleeping; and "perhaps" also to help prevent compression of the TMJ (Tempor-mandibular Joint) surfaces consisting of mandibular codyle-condylar disc-mandibular fossa tri-part structures.
2) If the appliance is a mandibular one (lower jaw), it is meant to "rest" the TMJ when you are unconsciously clenching or bruxing in your sleep by decompressing the TMJ "articular" compressive forces.
3) A TMJ specialist is your best bet because he/she will know what to do next as you progress in your treatment.
4) Try to find a physical therapist (PT) specializing in TMJ as well because he/she should be able to teach you four basic exercises for head and neck (including jaw), and additional exercises for shoulder blade (scapula-posture stabilization) in the event you have a "forward head" posture. You may also have Greater Occipital nerve or Temporalis headaches, be a mouth breather, and stomach sleeper.
5) My average number of TMJ sessions per patient is 3.7 visits (less than four) but only because I get referrals from qualified (competent) TMJ dentist specialists who know "what to do next". THEY HAVE TO KNOW WHAT TO DO NEXT!!! Very seldom can a PT do all that is required without a competent dentist (TMJ specialist) and very seldom can a dentist do anything for you and your TMJ unless he/she is a specialist in TMD (Tempor-mandibular Disorders).
6) Keeping the tip of your tongue resting in the roof of your mouth (the place you click your tongue to make a clicking sound) is the beginning of a "cure" or at least for relief.
7) If you have headaches see a physical therapist and look him/her up here (www.apta.org) click on "find a therapist". You can locate by zip code. If the therapist is not a member of the APTA (American Physical Therapy Association) you will be dealing with a much less knowledgeable therapist. I believe ND has a good membership ratio. If the therapist has "PT,DPT" designation after his/her name you aer in competent hands. If the PT,DPT is followed further by OCS (orthopedic clincial specialist) yuo're in even better hands.

Peter, PT, DPT, OCS

 

[thefrogprincess]

Yes, pain is normal when you fist start wearing your night guard. Your muscles are learning to be in a different position.

I have TMJ like nothing else! A night guard didn't work for me though because I have sinus trouble and sleep with my mouth open a lot. In the past I have seen a chiropractor for it and that helped. My mom saw a physical therapist for hers and she said it helped a lot. I avoid anything really chewy or hard to eat because is just tires out my jaw and hurts more.

 

[ladybug]

Thanks for the GREAT info., guys! I actually did wear my nightguard again last night (along with some painkiller), and woke up with no pain this morning! Although, my jaw still cracks some. So, Peter, is the cracking normal still when getting used to a nightguard? Your explanations and suggestions were VERY informative. I appreciate you responding. I had always thought you should rest your tounge on your bottom teeth, so it was interesting that you mentioned to keep your tounge in the "clucking" position. I will try that.

I also wanted to let you know that they gave me an upper mouth guard. My teeth hurt quite a bit when I wake up with it cause it feels pretty tight, but the dentist said that was normal.

Yes, I have been referred to an oral surgeon who works extensively with TMJ. My dentist realized all she could do was the nightguard, and after that point, it was beyond her scope of expertise. She was very adamant that I go to someone who takes care of TMJ on a regular basis. So, I will see when I can get in, and more importantly, if my insurance covers it. I will keep ya'll posted.

Anyway, I do really appreciate all the responses!

 

[anonymous]

To get rid of the pain in jaw area at night you can wear a thin piece of tape covering the opening of the lips. This worked for me. It promotes better nose breathing and will keep your jaw rested (mouth breathing puts pressure on your jaw)

For my second transplant, I did this and awoke with no headaches. I believe my Carbon dioxide level was more at a balance. Mouth breathing tends to blow off way too much Carbon. I guess it all depends on what lung disease you have but mouth breathing is never good.

Risa

 

[Jenica]

I had jaw surgery to correct my TMJ when I was 17, and I don't remember a mouthpiece being an alternative, but I could have forgotten, or it might not have been an option 14 years ago.

Overall, it was a pretty miserable experience. My jaw was wired shut for two months, then there was a length of time after I was unwired that my jaw had to regain all of its muscles. For the first couple of weeks, I still couldn't eat regular food, only really soft things, like apple sauce or beans.

I've gotten migraines and headaches my whole life, and the intent of the surgery was to correct the TMJ, and hopefully that would fix my headache problems. Unfortunately, it didn't, so the whole ordeal ended up being just a long, uncomfortable, expensive way to get a less crooked smile. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

I would definitely give the mouthpiece a real try before looking into surgery. Hopefully that will make a difference for you!

-- Jenica

 

[Jenica]

I had jaw surgery to correct my TMJ when I was 17, and I don't remember a mouthpiece being an alternative, but I could have forgotten, or it might not have been an option 14 years ago.

Overall, it was a pretty miserable experience. My jaw was wired shut for two months, then there was a length of time after I was unwired that my jaw had to regain all of its muscles. For the first couple of weeks, I still couldn't eat regular food, only really soft things, like apple sauce or beans.

I've gotten migraines and headaches my whole life, and the intent of the surgery was to correct the TMJ, and hopefully that would fix my headache problems. Unfortunately, it didn't, so the whole ordeal ended up being just a long, uncomfortable, expensive way to get a less crooked smile. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

I would definitely give the mouthpiece a real try before looking into surgery. Hopefully that will make a difference for you!

-- Jenica

 

[Jenica]

I had jaw surgery to correct my TMJ when I was 17, and I don't remember a mouthpiece being an alternative, but I could have forgotten, or it might not have been an option 14 years ago.

Overall, it was a pretty miserable experience. My jaw was wired shut for two months, then there was a length of time after I was unwired that my jaw had to regain all of its muscles. For the first couple of weeks, I still couldn't eat regular food, only really soft things, like apple sauce or beans.

I've gotten migraines and headaches my whole life, and the intent of the surgery was to correct the TMJ, and hopefully that would fix my headache problems. Unfortunately, it didn't, so the whole ordeal ended up being just a long, uncomfortable, expensive way to get a less crooked smile. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

I would definitely give the mouthpiece a real try before looking into surgery. Hopefully that will make a difference for you!

-- Jenica

 

[ladybug]

Thanks, Jenica.... I actually was just fitted this week for a SECOND mouthgaurd for at night... apparently the specialist I went to did not like that my dentist made me an upper guard, so he re-did one for my lower teeth. I will get it next week. I hope and pray it works! Thanks for sharing your experiences though. I hope it does not come to that... I would loose WAY too much weight!!! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

 

[ladybug]

Thanks, Jenica.... I actually was just fitted this week for a SECOND mouthgaurd for at night... apparently the specialist I went to did not like that my dentist made me an upper guard, so he re-did one for my lower teeth. I will get it next week. I hope and pray it works! Thanks for sharing your experiences though. I hope it does not come to that... I would loose WAY too much weight!!! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

 

[ladybug]

Thanks, Jenica.... I actually was just fitted this week for a SECOND mouthgaurd for at night... apparently the specialist I went to did not like that my dentist made me an upper guard, so he re-did one for my lower teeth. I will get it next week. I hope and pray it works! Thanks for sharing your experiences though. I hope it does not come to that... I would loose WAY too much weight!!! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">