Arthritis in jaw

Anyone have this and how is it being treated. Chewing is becoming a problem. Also feel itching and occasional pain in the ear on that side.

[Hidden]

Hi aprilsong

I started with severe pain in my jaw 18 months ago. Friends told me to see the dentist. Even ice cream was hard to eat, I was waking in a lot of pain in that ear. Dentist said he would refer me to oral surgery ( still waiting) but asked me if I was under any stress. Yes! Huge stress. Then the penny dropped, I was clenching my jaw ( and rest of me) in my sleep. I started doing a guided relaxation every night before bed and also simplified my waking life. It worked. My jaw is still sore as I do have RA there but nothing like it was. So see your dentist and take it from there. You may need a mouth guard.

Hope that helps

Kiki

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Kiki. Yes, it's been some months of unusual stress for me but I felt like I had it under control....perhaps not at night! I'm going to be using a mouth guard during sleep: hoping this will help.

Aprilsong

[bassiefromholland]

Hi aprilsong,

I have it too sometimes, most of the time it Gents better after some days. It is a nasty pain.

Wish you all the best.

Bas

[Hidden in reply to bassiefromholland]

Thanks Bas....got a mouth night guard today and I'm hoping that will help.

[determined56]

Hi I was diagnosed with degeneration in the jaw saw maxi facial.thought it was impacted wisdom teeth.

Causes extreme pain & earache .

Termed TMJ

X rays very clever to go round whole jaw.....on soft food as much as possible.

Perservere to see a maxi facial consultant...thoughts are with you it is quite debilitating as no one can see your pain/discomfort

[Hidden in reply to determined56]

Thanks for the reply.

[Jeanabelle60]

Hello Aprilsong, lovely name by the way. I have had jaw problems now for a few years that is RD related. It was only when my jaw finally locked that I got things moving (pardon the pun!). I had a dental appointment and when my dentist realised the condition I was in he foned my GP and had him arrange an emergency appointment with a Dental Surgeon. It was only then that I got some answers.

RD can and does affect the jaw joints. It is not uncommon so don't be thinking you are on your own. I had x-rays taken and they are just a blur where bone structure should have been. The Dental Surgeon told me that it is bad but not as bad as it needs to be for surgery to be considered. In the meantime I get steroid injections when I need them and daily medication. This has helped and my jaw hasn't locked again since.

The pain/itching you referred to on the side of your head is one of the symptoms I had, I thought I had an ear infection and at times I thought I had tooth problems......it was my jaw all the time. I would suggest that you speak to your GP and ask for a referral to a Dental Surgeon where you will be x-rayed and be given a diagnosis.

I hope thats been helpful. Let us know how you get on please and all the very best. XX

[Hidden]

Thanks for your reply. It is reassuring to know that the symptoms I'm having are not uncommon. I think the next step for me is xray to see just what the situation is and then figure out a treatment plan.