Anybody deal with tmj??

I have recently found out that I have tmj. Due to my anxiety and stress it has been acting up. I am constantly clenching my jaw and must grind my teeth at night also. I am wondering if this is causing my dizziness, tough time sleeping and painful jaw/side of face and how I can help it further. Anybody deal with it?

[Hidden]

Hi what helps me is when I catch myself clenching I immediately stop and try to relax the jaw and massage your temples and bring it down to your chin. Check out tmj massage on YouTube.

And chewing gum. It's a bad habit to take so I only do this when I'm in absolute discomfort.

Hope this helps.

[10715 in reply to Hidden]

Head neck dr and dentist said gum is bad.slow stretching massage best.

[Hidden in reply to 10715]

Really mine said to chew at a gum. Hmm it does help when I chew on it reliefs some tension

[10715 in reply to Hidden]

My jaws dislocated from grinding..so dr said relax, not chewing stressing it..much worse case..im sorry.but the cranial facial massage, yes,best relief ever.

[10715]

Yes I lived withbtmj forvyears..what helps i a biteguard at night..have your dentist make you one. Use heating pad, motrin..and go check out cranial facial massage..where its available its best for loosening jaw relaxing face pain.hope this helps.

[Jackaroo]

I just clench my teeth more often than not, day time, night time anytime. My bottom teeth have worn down marginally. But my anxiety isn't too bad at the moment. Comes with a bang and stays for weeks then it kind of cools down to a minimum for a few weeks. Panic attacks come most evenings but I do control it to a degree by inhaling exhaling into a paper bag for awhile..... It helps.

[Savingbri]

Yes, I do and currently in so much pain. See the dentist today

[Hidden]

TMJ could be causing your dizziness. Go to an oral surgeon but you could also look up this info which could be causing it. You may want to consider going for acupuncture for the TMJ and a PT for the following problem.

Google for the following:

Sternocleidomastoid syndrome - (Causes dizziness, ringing ears, head aches, disorientation)

Levator scapulae syndrome - (Headaches and "head pressure")

Also, please read "Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction -- A Trigger Point Manual" by Travelle and Simons

[greengrape]

I'm in agony with it at the moment. Have been referred to dental hospital although I've been told not to expect too much as treatments are limited. I've been wearing a tooth guard for a few years but something (maybe a recent cap) has made it flare up and it is incredibly painful. I've had to take some pretty strong pain killers to help ease the pain. Anxiety caused it in the first place and is probs contributing to it now. Gonna read some of the tips on here to help me manage it. Best wishes

[Hidden]

Oh, I used to have this. It went away, though. But it hurt.

[tracyg619]

I have it... and if I don't think about it I relax, but you have to be cautious of how your moth is, don't grind.clench. I am getting brain zaps are you?

[Hidden in reply to tracyg619]

I have had brain zaps! But shi nce I knew about that symptom before I experienced it myself, I wa not concerned when they hit. They only lasted one night and then were gone.

[Kiki171]

Hi I've been diagnosed with tmj and having my teeth guard made at the moment. After a year of awful stress due to many people I cared about being poorly and feeling very stressed and worried I started getting ringing in my ears. This carried on for a few months until I went very faint and fainted in tesco! This happened on and off for 6 months and the doctors was convinced I had chronic sinusitis. Finally refered to ent and they refered me in to the max fax team who diagnosed tmj. This has taken me a year and I'm a different person now to who I was. I'm 29 who children and before this I was very confident. I dread going out with them incase I faint. The consultant said I clench my jaw badly in my sleep. I'm also aware I'm not doing this in the day too. Pain on right side of my face, muscles in neck go into spasm too. I thought I was losing my mind but im hoping that my mouth guard I get in 3 days will help me

[RR61]

Hi. I just signed up and wondered if your tmj improved and what worked for you?