fgs, what IS this pain in my face? could it be caused by anxiety? how do I stop it? help needed.

[JamesAndTheGiantBanana]

For the past two days solid I have had an achy jaw, from the front right along both jaws right up to my ear, but just on one side. I do have teeth which need attention, but the ache doesn't feel like it's coming from anywhere specific, it's just constant and I can't sleep.

It's the kind of aching jaw you get when you chew sweets or gum for ages, which makes me think it might not be toothache. Paracetamol/neurofen etc have no effect on the pain, even when combined.

Had a very stressful time recently, feel very very anxious to the point of shaking, feeling tearful, sick, shivery etc I took a valium and some rescue remedy about an hour ago but still feeling sick and anxious (and still in pain)

What is this pain? How can I make it stop? Can't sleep like this and I'm exhausted. Please help

I've had face-ache for a few days. Mine is through grinding my teeth at night. I find taking Syndol (you can get over the counter at any chemists) helps.

However, if you know you have bad teeth, you may have got an abscess or somesuch and really ought to go and see a dentist.

It sounds as though it could be coming from your teeth. When I had toothache the pain was going through my jaw and down my neck because the root was pushing on the nerve.
You need to see an emergency dentist, you should give NHS Direct a ring, especially as pain relief is not helping.

is it temparo-mandibular jaw ache or something,

can be caused by stress.
got some exercises for it, which included jutting out lower jaw...
had it particularly bad when giving up smoking.

It's possible that stress has been making you grind your teeth, which will make your jaw ache. It's also possible that your jaw has got slightly out of alignment. You need to make an appointment with either your GP or your dentist - appreciate that it is a bank holiday and the dentist will probably be unavailable till at least Tuesday - but is there a walk-in clinic or anything in your area?

Sounds like anxiety to me - I get awful face/jaw ache when i'm stressed, I clench my teeth without really registering that i'm doing it, resulting in face ache.

If you don't think it is entirely stress or sinus related, go to the dentist.

are you clenching your teeth in your sleep? that can happen when you are tense. Poor you though, you sound like you have had enough. I know you feel that you can't sleep but it sounds like your body is really crying out for rest. Even if you arent sleeping, lying down with some soothing music or mindless telly will at least give you some physical rest.

Yep - could be stress making you grind your teeth. Mine is through wisdom teeth pushing through slowly but surely. Syndol is the only thing that helps - paracetamol and ibuprofen dont touch it.

Either way, I think you should go and see a dentist as soon as - just in case.

I definitely do need to go to the dentist, I have a big hole in one tooth on that side, but oddly the pain doesn't seem to be coming from there, it just generally hurts all along both my upper and lower jaws, right to the ear. I've been wondering if I've been clenching my teeth or grinding them in my sleep. Dp can't tell me as he is a very heavy sleeper.

I will try to get hold of some syndol tomorrow if there are any chemists open, wish there was something I could do tonight though to relieve it enough to sleep. Tempted to take two antihistamines. On the odd occasion I've accidentally taken two I've been dead to the world within an hour. It's driving me mad.

Could you tell me more about those jaw excercises please, slartibartfast?

ok

hmmm....

"Common events which trigger temporomandibular dysfunction (TMD) include high stress situations, lowered stress threshold (due to abuse, family dysfunction, traumatic events, etc.), and stressful interpersonal dynamics"

Interesting- but if I went to the docs (as well as the dentist!) what could they do? pills? gumshields? excercise sheet? all of the above?

REMEDIAL JAW EXERCISES

If the jaw joints are particularly tender these exercises can be assisted by giving preliminary warmth. Place a protected hot water bottle first on one joint, then the other, for five minutes on each side before commencing the exercises.

REFLEX OPENING EXERCISES

Place the hand under the point of the chin and open the mouth until the teeth are just apart. Maintain firm opening pressure against the resistance of the hand in this position for a period of 30 - 40 seconds or until the jaw opening muscles feel tired. When this point is reached, remove the hand from under the chin and swallow in order to relax the jaw.

Immediately following this, place a finger of each hand just in front of the ear to support the jaw joint and allow the jaw to open smoothly and widely, avoiding any swing to the right or left. Remove fingers from each side and close the mouth to complete the exercise.

This manoeuvre should be repeated five or six times at a sitting and the series repeated twice or three times a day, depending on the severity of the symptoms. It is useful to carry out the exercise at periods when the jaw is particularly painful, for example, after meals.

The exercise is designed to produce a reflex relaxation of the jaw muscles so temporarily decreasing the load transmitted to the jaw joint.

RETRUSIVE TONGUE EXERCISES

Place the tip of the tongue against the back of the upper incisor teeth. Roll the tongue upwards and backwards maintaining contact with the palatal mucosa (roof of mouth) until the tongue feels as if it can go no further. In this most retruded position separate the teeth 2 - 3 mm five or six times then relax and swallow.

Repeat this exercise 5 to 10 times three times a day. If necessary apply local heat to the affected jaw joint(s) as required.

During an acute exacerbation maintain a soft diet and use simple analgesia such as Co-Proxamol or Ibuprofen as

actually doc did nothing, nor did dentist, but these helped.
does jaw click>?

Just tried this shiatsu method, didn't really work although I feel slight;y less anxious (probably because of the deep breathing)

Step 1:
Feel the tension begin to release as you move your jaw from side to side, clench your teeth and open wide to loosen the muscle. Begin by pressing both sides of your jaw with the heels of your hands.

Step 2:
Press the same point again and begin with your mouth open so as to position the pad of your index finger in the middle of the muscle. Close your mouth and press firmly until you feel a tolerable pain and breathe deeply to promote relaxation.

Step 3:
Relieve facial spasm and jaw pain with the pressure point found in a hollow just below the earlobe. Use your middle finger and press toward your jaw.

Step 4:
Relieve jaw pain, earache and headache by using your middle finger to press the point found just in front of the ear in a hollow formed when the jaw is open.

Step 5:
Place your ring finger on the point one-half inch above the point in step 4 and your index finger on the point one-half inch below the point in step 4.

Step 6:
Apply firm pressure to all three points for approximately one minute to promote relief from TMJ.

Step 7:
Repeat step 2.

Step 8:
Find the pressure point located in the hollow area just below the cheekbone and in front of the lower jaw bone. Apply pressure with your middle finger to promote release of tension in the jaw.

Step 9:
Release jaw and shoulder tension with the point located at the web between your thumb and index finger. Press toward your index finger with the pad of the opposite thumb to stimulate this point. Use firm pressure to stimulate this point and hold the point for at least 2 minutes to assure an effective release.

Jaw clicks occasionally (on this side actually) not clicking right now, seems to just come on with no cause or warning then go away again.

could try this then
hope it gets better, mine did
EXERCISE TO PREVENT CLICKING OF THE JAW JOINT

The exercise should be carried out sitting in an erect posture in front of a mirror. It should be done at least twice daily in this position until the art of contracting the muscle beneath the chin has been completely mastered.

1. Clasp both hands behind the nape of the neck to provide a head-rest.

1. With the mouth closed and the teeth lightly touching, contract the muscle beneath the chin, attempting to pull the chin back into the neck without opening the mouth. By observing the chin and neck in the mirror it is possible to see the actual contractions of these suprahyoid muscles.

1. It is essential not to move the jaw or teeth when doing the exercise. Once the art of the muscle contraction is learned, it should be done for 3 - 5 minutes each hour, not necessarily sitting, or in front of a mirror.

1. With practice a definite sensation of tension will be noted in the suprahyoid muscles and in the region of the jaw joints.

1. Once the essential exercise has been learned it can be done with small mouth opening movements, learning to open the jaw with a backward pull, and avoiding the "click".

Day by day the extent of mouth opening is increased, always with the jaw positively retruded.

1. Gradually increase the extent of mouth opening until it can be opened to the full normal extent without producing a "click" - always keep the suprahyoid muscles retracted.

REMEMBER Muscles can be coaxed, but not driven. If you keep practising this exercise for 2 - 3 weeks, it will become second nature and the click will not return.