I've had this since being a teenager. Caused by clenching my jaw in my sleep, when concentrating and when stressed.
Had dental treatment over a year ago after seeing a consultant. He said I needed all treatment completing before they'd see me again, as dental treatment would affect my bite.
After chasing the referral and my doctor sending one too, I finally got through to be told that it was still waiting for all treatment to be completed. Someone had not progressed it to the next stage.
I am now back on a waiting list for an initial appointment. Which will determine any dental treatment needed. Then back on another waiting list for treatment.
Only after all that I will then go back on the list to see the consultant about my jaw.
In the meantime my jaw seems to be getting much worse. I've gone from medium strength cocdamol to the strongest the doctor can prescribe. Along with ibuprofen.
I'm barely sleeping and when I eat my jaw now clicks very loudly, where as before it only clicked when yawning or if I had hard food.
I just don't know what to do whilst waiting to see the consultant and I know that being on painkillers long term isn't the best.
Does anyone have this or has had it and found ways to cope? I have tried a bite guard in the past and this made it 10 times worse.
Thanks in advance.