Do you have TMJ or ever get pain in your jaw?

Hi Baybreeze.  

I had this experience several months ago.  I developed a generalized jaw pain on the one side that came and went for a few days, only to have it grow worse and more constant.  I had no idea what the source was since I had never experienced this before.  I remember looking up the symptoms of TMJ thinking that could be the cause.  Finally the pain became localized to a tooth in the back of my jaw and I realized I had a toothache.  It was pretty agonizing at that point.  I got to my dentist and it turns out my tooth died.  There was no obvious decay though.  I opted to have it pulled and the pain went away.

If it persists, you might want to make an appointment with a dentist who specializes in TMJ.  There are mouthpieces they can make for you so you don't exacerbate the problem by grinding your teeth.  You may want to try alternating heat packs and ice packs, each for no more than 15 minutes at a time.  But I'd go to the dentist as a last resort because they can be expensive.  I went to a few dentists when I was looking for some relief and one even ground a couple of teeth down a little bit but I wouldn't recommend doing this.  But there are some things you can do on your own prior to going to the dentist.  Try not eating anything that requires a lot of chewing such as beef jerky or any foods where you have to open your mouth wide, such as an apple.  If you want to eat foods like an apple, cut them up into smaller pieces.  This sounds a bit weird, but if you need to yawn, try not to open your mouth as wide as you normally would.  Also, avoid chewing gum.  During regular dentist appointments, like for cleaning, tell them you have TMJ and only open your mouth as wide as it's comfortable.  Believe it or not they CAN work in a much smaller area and that means less pain for you later on.  Prior to informing them I would open as wide as they wanted and before I even left the dentist's office I needed to take a pain pill because it had given me a headache.  Hope this helps.

It really comes down to uncovering the trigger. Like ProblemCh1ld said, a night guard can help if you're grinding at night. A typical telltale sign that this might be the case is if you wake up sore and it lessens throughout the day.

Clenching throughout the day could also cause it. This is usually brought on by stress, so being aware of it and practicing relaxation techniques will help.

If you have another issue causing it, such as having a malaligned bite, then some form of corrective treatment or orthodontics will help.

TMJ problems tend to be progressive, so the cause really needs to be treated. In the meantime, ibuprofen is good because it is an anti-inflammatory medicine. Warm compresses can help. You'll also want to be gentle with your jaw and stick to softer things until it settles down.

I do.

I wear a retainer.

It makes a huge difference.

Underconstruction, I'm glad a mouthpiece worked for you.  It never did for me.  But I was curious about something.  I wore one at night and in the morning when I took it out, I noticed my upper teeth didn't align properly with my lower teeth.  Do you ever have that problem?

I hope you don't mind me butting in, but that's not right. It means that either your retainer is bad and is shifting your teeth out of alignment or all your teeth have shifted out of alignment and the retainer nudges them back into place overnight. The constant shifting isn't good for your teeth. If you're still having this issue, it's a good idea to consult with an orthodontist again. He may recommend going all day with the retainer until your teeth stabilize or he might recommend a short course of ortho to correct the alignment again, followed by wearing the retainer more often... unless the retainer is bent and is messing with your teeth- then you'd just need a new retainer made.

I had been to a couple of dentists who specialize in TMJ and both mouthpieces caused my teeth not to align properly and it was noticeable the very first morning after wearing them. I could understand maybe one not fitting properly but both of them? I guess it's a possibility. If it had been a problem with my teeth shifting, I would have noticed the alignment problem prior to wearing the mouthpiece and if that had been the case, wearing one would have corrected the misalignment, not caused it. All I know is that I didn't have the problem prior nor have I had it since I stopped wearing one. Thankfully, I now no longer have the jaw pain nor the daily headaches. I have no idea what caused my symptoms to disappear and quite frankly I don't care. I'm just glad they're gone. They can be very debilitating.

Retainers need to be checked every few months.  You need to visit an specialist. Not every dentist can make them.  You need to have x rays and they will model the retainer after them. You may need some therapy for the pain if it persists. 

Okay.  This is a toughie but the beauty is?  You can do a lot for yourself.

It is excrutiating because nerves are being pressed on.   Is your jaw out of alignment?   If so, you will need to work on muscles and ligaments that attach the joint of the temporal bone and the mandible by gently massaging them.    Put your warm hands on the area.  Start with that and tell me more about how long you have had this and what you have done to help and what works a little, what doesn't work and what caused it.

I will help. 

Watch this video.  This guy has a disclaimer on here that may frighten you into thinking you need to be a doctor.  NOT AT ALL.  He doesn't want to get sued is all. He has to say that.

Watch it, and you will start to see that this is very curable and most people suffer because they don't know anything about how the body is put together.      I am going to empower you.   Check it out.

 

Appreciate this info.. it has been happening for years, probably around 10 yrs. or so. I had a mouth/nightguard for a few years a bit back, but it is quite worn down. In the past 6 months, I have had very little pain, only a few times (whereas last year would get pain two times a week). The pain can be a throbbing one, starting in jaw, and going into head, or just stayin in jaw most of the day. I have massaged it and this definitely helps, but it is the 'root' of the issue I think that will help it stay away.. I've always had anxiety (well for also about 10 yrs go figure)... and I think if i've had a bad day , anxious or hypervigilant, it has been very painful for jaw following day (means I clenched at night).. but its weird, b/c some days I do have anxiety on and off, and no pain next day. So who knows... I have tried cold packs and they do help too... I will watch the video now, ty again for your input and time S...

Ty friend :) I've had it on and off for 10 years or so, so a nightguard did help.. but only most of the time. Sometimes even with the guard in at night, I still had pain next day. Lately, in last few months i've had little to none (first time in years). But last week and this week it came back:/ It 'can' be caused by my anxiety but other days I've had a lot of anxiety, and didn't get jaw pain, so its weird. I've tried ice compresses and they do help, but its truly the root I need to figure out, and I think it is feeling a sense of calm in my life overall, that will alleviate this. Unfortunately I'm living w/my 'parents' and they are mentally ill and very abusive, so my self esteem has been very low... I often don't even feel i deserve to date, have my own place, etc.. and i think that has been part of why i clench at night (maybe) .. but its been ok these past few months. I think its when I think of my life, (liek i did last week, that the pain returned) I need a foundation that 'I ' have to provide now, of joy and calm.. I ty so much for all your help and tips!!! :)

Ty so much for these tips and your advice :) I have actually avoided the dentist for 5 years now, just for tha treason.. so it doesn't hurt :/ but I think if I just tell them.. 'could I open it less than usual?' .. What a good idea !! hehe... I wish you a wonderful 4th of July :)

So glad it is gone, and you are feeling well :) Ty for your reply Pea