TMJ

[nathan022]

Does anyone suffer with TMJ jaw problem?

[b1b1b1]

Yes, I do. My dentist said there is no easy treatment. He did suggest warm compresses, trying to relax my jaw, not biting down to check how it is doing and not eating anything very hard. These have helped and the pain is less, although not gone. Best thing would be to see what your dentist says. Also, stay away from crazy treatments (i.e. surgery etc.). My dentist warned me about this.

[nathan022 in reply to b1b1b1]

My jaw clicks and crunches ect hurts my head ears I'm scared I need surgery although iv never had an appointment with the othidontist

[HearYou]

IHi, I left a detailed answer to this question recently as a reply. Think you should be able to track it down....and surgery was much needed for me due to formation of my TMJ.

[nathan022 in reply to HearYou]

Why did they have to operate?

[HearYou in reply to nathan022]

Nathan, try to find my reply to that exact same question. My TMJ formation was irregular and some other factors were involved. Maybe you can contact one of administrators if there is a way to search for my reply....was done within last 5 days.

If you can' get results that way, maybe we need to post the question on how to locate the replies.

[Hidden]

I have it but 150mg daily of Magnesium keeps all my pain and everything else at bay !!

[nathan022 in reply to Hidden]

What does that do I'm on anti depressants

[Hidden in reply to nathan022]

It relaxes your muscles, tension make it worse. What country are you in ?.

[nathan022 in reply to Hidden]

awh right I'm in the uk

[Hidden in reply to nathan022]

Me too. Ask your doctor if it's ok to take Magnesium glycinate with your anti depressants and if he says yes get some. It takes all the pain away. The only thing that worked for me.

[nathan022 in reply to Hidden]

Awh sweet ill take you up on that bud thankyou 🙌

[b1b1b1]

I don't think you have to see an orthodontist. A regular dentist should be OK.

[HearYou in reply to b1b1b1]

Depends if he has a bit of an overbite and his teeth need to be aligned for a better fit when he bites, and a bite guard at night keeps his jaws relaxed as they can't close all the way, so no grinding of his teeth at night. My jaws clicked loud enough before my TMJ correction, my stepson could hear it when I ate pop corn at a movie. And no more chewing gum or similar treats as you are actually using your jaw and the objective is not to lose use pr cause pain in the TMJ and not wear out your front teeth from an overbite. Alternate heat and cold around your jaw areas helps some people with TMJ pain, just like other aching joints.

[nathan022 in reply to HearYou]

Thanks for the reply, I have an open bite so I think that's what makes it worse as I suffer with anxiety too

[nathan022 in reply to b1b1b1]

Iv seen a dentist they said I need to be referred to an orthodontist

[HearYou in reply to nathan022]

I'm not surprised. I was trying to find that explanation of TMJ treatment....but let me try again to give you an overview of TMJ treatment. TMJ is short for the actual jaw joint connecting your jaw with your skull.

Pain and TMJ issues may involve a variety of issues: irregularity of the shape or formation of the joint itself, the jaw not lining up correctly when it opens and closes, over bite of the upper front teeth with the lower front teeth, the upper and lower teeth don't line up correctly with one another, the popping or crunching noise, damage/injury to the TMJ by an accident, etc. Chewing mostly on one side of your mouth.

The TMJ can actually be worn out because things simply not lining up properly and the ligaments can't pull the jaw back into place.

My TMJ was cracking, popping loud enough to be heard in a movie theatre when eating popcorn. My jaw was simply a bit too short for the shape of my mouth. I had no pain yet.

Braces were placed on my teeth to gradually adjust them into the proper place where they should be after the surgery was done to lengten my jaw.

My teeth were not crooked, but I was wearing out my front upper teeth because there was the effect of a slight overbite caused by my jaw being a bit short. After the surgery, the braces were adjusted for a few months more and caps were placed on my upper front two teeth.

When the braces were removed, a night bite guard was made to wear at night. It was expensive but has lasted over 20 years. It keeps me from grinding my teeth or clenching them when I sleep and also relaxes my jaw muscles.

I have no pain, see a good dentist 3 times a year mostly for cleaning and just to check for other issues that might appear. The caps on my two upper front teeth wore out and were replaced after18 years (normal time for them to be replaced but expensive as I don't have dental insurance).

I still use the bite guard every night....and haven't chewed gum since the popping of my tmj was noticeable.

Some approaches to TMJ care probably has changed in 20 years, but this gives you an idea of how all the parts of your jaw joint and its shape, teeth, habits of grinding, clenching and chewing gum wear on your TMJ and teeth, cause pain, and how a night mouth guard works.

An orthodontist is needed usually, but perhaps the surgery can be avoided with other techniques now. Medical insurance paid for my care including the braces, surgery and the nightguard was it was considered a medical need and procedure, not a cosmetic use of braces to correct crooked teeth.

Your jaw and teeth may be in good alignment, and all you may need is a properly fitted night bite guard to stop any grinding or clenching you may be doing at night, so it relaxes your muscles to compensate for any daytime grinding or clenching you may be doing.....but hope you break that anxiety habit...and please do not chew gum as that motion can undo everything.

Please let me know if this answered some of your questions. Just relieving the TMJ pain without actually correcting the cause of the pain wouldn't make sense, and could wear out your teeth and/or TMJ.

I have never regretted the two-year process to prevent future problems or pain. Am certain the process must be shorter now, but the bite guard is a must for me and cost about $1000 US now if I lost mine or it broke.