Is this TMJ?

[nonapnatty]

So a few weeks ago, I stared to feel pressure in my temples. I thought it might just be because of stress/tension headache. Then, one morning, I woke up with an ear ache. Went to the doctor and didn’t have an infection. About a week later, I woke up with a jaw ache. And since then, I’ve been having this feeling of pressure and jaw tightness, pressure around cheekbones, occasional achey ear, and temple pressure.

I went to the dentist and he said he didn’t have enough evidence to diagnose anything, but he did make me a night guard which I’ve been wearing the past 2 nights.

This whole thing is causing me a lot of stress because I feel like I’m crazy.

Any input would be helpful.

[Madlegs1]

There is a simple massage for TMJ.

Two finger widths in front of your ear, there is a slight indent. This is the point where all the muscles/ ligaments go through the jawbone hinge.

If you press gently on that indentation and move your thumb around, you will find the point of pain. Very gently massage this area. Very gently, I said!😁.

Moving your jaw around will also help.

I expect there is a YouTube on this manoevre, which can show you better than I'm explaining here 😝

It will go eventually. You may be grinding your teeth at night.

If you are under a lot of stress, this needs to be addressed. Mindfulness can be very helpful.

Good luck.

[Lima6MCT]

I have quite severe TMJ and have regular treatment for it.

When it first started I was asked to stick my tongue out, apparently if you grind your teeth your tongue has a scalloped edge. I was also asked to open my mouth wide enough to insert two fingers (only as far as the nails) horizontally between front teeth I had to then try to rotate them until they are vertical. I could barely get them half way round before I had pain in the jaw joint. Apparently the teeth grinding and struggleing to get your mouth open to two fingers wide is a sign of TMJ.

A tip I was give was if you feel your jaw starting to tighten, put the tip of your tongue just behind your front teeth and relax your lower jaw to help relieve the pressure.

My symptoms include a locking jaw (not so bad now I get treatment), tinnitus, earache & headaches. Tomorrow I go for my 3-monthly neurology appointment for a botox injection to relax the muscle causing it - I am more than ready for it.

[Hidden]

Yes stress and tightening of face jaw neck. Can you take a muscle relaxant? Do some exercises online and warm washcloths it’s a pain to keep heating them but moist heat really works. I do jaw exercises in the shower. I also go to a physio or Chiro that do jaw tension release inside the mouth ask for someone that does this they wear gloves. It helps a lot especially if you do it a few weeks in a row.my physio does a fantastic job of it.

[Hidden]

First off.. see a specialist.. someone who actually specializes in TMJ diagnoses and treatments. Just a regular dentist might not have the expertise to diagnose u properly.

Mouthguards are used for treatment of several jaw issues.Its not gonna hurt anything..its more to relax the muscles and help with pain n ? inflammation.Calms stuff down.

Having TMJ..if that's what u have is a nightmare.I broke my jaw in 2 places after my second MVA..Wasn't diagnosed correctly.. jaw wasn't repaired..was told its TMJ... had all the excruciating treatments for TMJ with huge needles with ? (cant remember) what was in them.. shoved in ur face n jaw. Not fun..and painful.

Find a specialist...heat/steam in the shower will help..also doing mouth stretching excercises in the heat n steam really helps jaw issues.. bottomline..could be just something simple.