How does one alleviate a case of TMJ disorder that’s gone from mere clicking or popping of the jaw to one of painful, restricted movement?
It started 28 days ago. Soft foods, heat compresses, even a soft splint hasn’t helped. I’m on day 4 of anti-inflammatorys and muscle relaxants and my jaw is still messed up.
Any advice? Anyone been through this?
Not sure if this is IMHO, but I’d sure like a factual answer. You just don’t realize how satisfying a yawn is until you can’t do one.
This probably isn’t the answer you want to hear, but my TMJ condition required an appliance to correct it. Not fun, as I was on a liquid diet for some time, and a significant out-of-pocket expense as it fell between the cracks of my two insurance plans. The good news is that it did cure the problem.
If you can I’d talk to a dentist about it. It sounds as though there are many potential solutions to TMJ issues and those solutions can’t be identified without testing.
Have you visited a specialist? Most dentists do not have background in treating TMJD - I’ve been told it’s something you have to study on your own outside from your regular dental degree classes. So find someone who is a SPECIALIST not just a dentist or an orthodontist. Here is my doctor’s article on TMJ treatment on his Web site. I think he’s a godsend and everyone should read what he has to say - but that’s just IMHO. He’s actually a very nice guy with a very nice staff so if you are searching for a specialist, it wouldn’t hurt to call there to see if he can recommend someone in your area.
I was diagnosed with TMJD in 1997, spent 3 years getting treatment (palate stretcher, braces, appliances) and the pain was alleviated. About 9 years after I got through with my original treatment I had to go for another round of braces because my jaw shifted again. I still have TMJD and will always have it and still have to be careful with my jaw and still have painful days. I also sleep with a night appliance I’ve had for 12 years. If I don’t sleep with it, I wake up sore.
But, as for alleviating pain - relax your jaw by placing the tip of your tongue on the roof of your mouth and keeping your lips apart. Try not talking for long stretches. Lie down with your jaw in the most comfortable position possible (seems like on your back on a very soft pillow helps) and just relax. Take Aleve. Use ice, not heat.
Believe me, I am the farthest thing in the world from one of these “alternative medicine” wackos. I don’t believe in homeopathy or any of that other quackery. However, I did find a way to greatly alleviate (not cure) my TMJ that a doctor won’t tell you about (not because of some “big medicine” conspiracy against it; they probably just don’t know), and it’s a water-soluble essential mineral, so it’s not risky or anything. Try magnesium supplements. They’re about $5 for a 90 day supply at GNC or most grocery stores. Let me know how it works out for you.
Also, if you’re grinding/crunching/clenching your teeth, get to a dentist ASAP and have a mouthguard made. You’re doing irreversible damage.
I also am not an alternative medicine wacko. I began to have jaw pain and other TMJ symptoms about 3 years ago, they were aggravated by SSRI anti-depressants. This was frustrating in and of itself, as these are not listed as a “known” side effect of these drugs although I found plenty of other instances. Unfortunately, going off the drugs did not reverse the problem.
Mine was improved greatly by having my silver amalgam fillings removed. No one has ever explained this, my dentist – who is mainstream, not a holistic wacko, says it is possible I had an allergy to the amalgam, the holistic types believe the amalgam is poison.
I had them replaced with composite for other reasons, I wasn’t even thinking of the TMJ when I had them done. The dentist did the replacements on the right side of my mouth on the first visit. When the novacaine wore off I had a “miracle moment”…the TMJ was almost gone …say 90% improvement…on the right side only. Of course I had the left side done at the first opportunity with the same results.
I was able to start taking the SSRI’s again and my jaw is much improved to this day, sometimes it gets a little tight and I get a pain twinge but that’s all, I also had a lot of sensitivity in the teeth which was also 90% improved.
I really can’t explain this beyond relating my experiences but this is my TMJ story.
I had a friend with TMJ. She is normally a tough cookie, but that really got to her.
I’ve had only two or three days where my jaw or jaws ached. It was like a cramp that I could not release. I know that TMJ must be very painful. I hope you find the right solution for you soon.
My dentist is extremely scholarly. If you want to send me a private message, I will see if he knows someone in the area where you live that works with TMJ.
Thanks for the offers to help me find an orthodontist, but I have one who specializes in TMJ therapy, Dr. Jackson
I’m sure he knows what he’s doing, but I’d hoped to see some change by now. From the link **Zipper **posted and other info I’ve read about TMJ, there’s no set treatment and it’s a bit frustrating.
I do have a bad habit of clenching my teeth, but I’ve stopped doing that completely. If that plus eating soft foods and finishing the course of drugs is all it takes, I’ll be thrilled. Keep your fingers crossed.
Links to articles about TMJ & magnesium. Let me know if you try it, Lionne, and if it works. It did wonders for me.
Thanks, Cisco. I will give it a shot. I need to eat more vegetables anyway.
In one of your links, I read that magnesium is found in antacids. I sometimes get extremely bad stomachaches, and when those occur I down Pepcid like nothing else. Maybe I just need to keep Mg at a more level amount and not just up and down.
Try supplements. Like I said, they’re very cheap. Most of them have too much, so I take them about 3-5 days a week, instead of the recommend dosage of every day.
As many have said, there are many ways to go.
Here’s what worked for me. My dentist sent me to the physical therapists at a local hospital. (I already had a plastic splint to keep me from tearing up my teeth in my sleep.) The PTs explained to me that many of us develop odd patterns of jaw movement. If you watch yourself in a mirror, slowly opening and closing your mouth, you’ll probably see the centerline of the lower jaw doesn’t travel a straight path up and down.
The PTs taught me to be aware of the position of the joint itself, and a small group of exercises to regain comfortable movement. After a couple of visits, my condition improved, and I didn’t need to go back.
The joint itself is very simple and pretty small. Imagine a pencil eraser, pointing up, nestling in the bowl of a quarter-tteaspoon measure. The eraser, your lower jaw, is allowed a lot of movement within the bowl of the spoon, but there’s a sweet spot where the whole thing is most comfortable.
If I told you more, you might get the impression you don’t need to see a professional. Go see your dentist.