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Original poster

TMJ? Jaw joint feels misplaced and aches

32 replies

Shufflingroundthesides · 02/04/2010 20:29

Last week i noticed my jaw was starting to ache and was clicking more than normal(has always clicked/on/off)
Woke up this morning and now my jaw joint is stiff and feels not right like its out of line and uncomfortable. Also my ear sometimes feels like there is fluid in it but i think its the joint.
I have anxiety and i am starting to worry about this now.
Can anyone advise me please?

OP posts:
BitterAndTwistedChoreDodger · 02/04/2010 20:33

Have you seen a dentist? I always grind my teeth in my sleep when I'm stressed, and wake up feeling pretty much how you describe in your OP. You should be able to get a gumshield to stop you doing it.

Original poster
Shufflingroundthesides · 02/04/2010 20:47

No not seen a dentist for a while and cant really afford to either.
Do you think it will go back on its own?

OP posts:
Ponders · 02/04/2010 20:51

depends why you're grinding...

and if you're anxious about grinding, you might grind even more. I grind (always ) & have TMJ - have had a splint thing to wear at night & it did help.

Is there a dental hospital near you? Might be worth trying to get an appt there, or see your GP, you might be able to get an NHS referral.

Original poster
Shufflingroundthesides · 02/04/2010 20:54

How would you know you were grinding your teeth?
I woke up one day last week with a small amount of black grit in my mouth so poss may have been some filling.

How do you sleep with a splint in your mouth?

OP posts:
thelittlebluepills · 02/04/2010 20:59

i would definitely seek some advice because it can get so bad as for your entire jaw to lock - mine locked and I could only open my mouth a couple of cm.

try getting some Deep Relief gel from the chemist and rubbing into your jaw muscles to relax it all

BallpointPen · 02/04/2010 21:00

I have seen the consultant about this, he said it's a benign condition and is pretty much incurable. There are measures you can take to try and lessen it but basically you're stuck with it.

Gum shields, like one would use for boxing or rugby, except they're specifically for you and your teeth, they're properly fitted. I found my gum shield made it worse though, gave me something to bite onto.

How is your bite? Much under bite or over? This can contribute.

Out of interest have you had much orthodontic work done?

Original poster
Shufflingroundthesides · 02/04/2010 21:04

Incurable ?

Dont know what you mean about my bite?
I only have about 3 fillings

OP posts:
thelittlebluepills · 02/04/2010 21:09

I had wisdom teeth taken out under a general and that was definitely the start of it all - think they damaged my jaw doing it

BallpointPen · 02/04/2010 21:13

Here's an example of an overbite.

Here's an underbite.

Nothing to do with fillings, I have more than three!

I know, it's shit isn't it? I was really pretty gutted after my, very brief, appointment with the consultant.

I find if I've eaten very crunchy or chewy food it's worse.

ruddynorah · 02/04/2010 21:14

yes mine was damaged by orthodontic work. mine locks if i open it too wide. sometimes it happens if i haven't opened my mouth for a while, then it locks open when i do! apprently i have a dislocated disc on my right joint.

two options-

surgery to file down the bone so it can't lock (risk of damage to facial nerves)

botox to the muscles around the jaw to prevent certain motion (may affect speech plus obvious risks of botox, and it would have to done every 4 months ish)

so i just live with it. and i know which consultant at my hospital is the best at putting my jaw back

Original poster
Shufflingroundthesides · 02/04/2010 21:16

looking at those links i have a slight overbite i think.Back teeth fit together but front ones slightly over.

OP posts:
BallpointPen · 02/04/2010 21:32

Your front top teeth are supposed to sit just over the bottom ones but not excessively or prominently.

Stress can be a major factor too, if you are feeling stressed do you hold your jaw tight?

Original poster
Shufflingroundthesides · 02/04/2010 21:42

I may be unaware that i am holding my jaw tight ,its a possibility.

OP posts:
Original poster
Shufflingroundthesides · 02/04/2010 21:43

infact im sure i do

OP posts:
BallpointPen · 02/04/2010 21:49

So do I, it's a common place to hold tension.

If you are aware that when stressed you're going to tense up your jaw, you could try giving your jaw a little massage and trying actively relax your jaw.

It's difficult but you can ease symptoms a little.

Ponders · 02/04/2010 22:10

The splint thing I had was like a gumshield, but made to fit my bite & hold my jaw in place all night instead of it moving all the time. Putting it in and out is a bit gaggy, but it does work.

I stopped wearing it after a while, because the joint was OK, but then it got worse again but the splint didn't fit any more.

albertababy · 02/04/2010 22:11

I had this. GP referred me to physio. He treated me, I did exercises religiously, it disappeared and the headaches that came with it also went. I also tried to reduce stress as also suffered from tension and anxiety. Push for physio!! Good luck, and in the meantime avoid raw veg and steak.....

albertababy · 02/04/2010 22:13

Er I did jaw exercises as recommended... not step aerobics or anything...

Ponders · 02/04/2010 22:14

I have always ground (grinded???) from a very early age; I had my wisdom teeth out at about 19 because I was having jaw problems, the extractions didn't cause the problems or make them worse afaik but the joint has always been dodgy.

catastrojb · 02/04/2010 22:26

This sounds just like what I do - I clench though, rather than grind (if I grind I wake myself up!). I have dislocated my jaw at night in the past, and it clicks too. If I get stressed or tired I do it in the day, too. As others have said, the best thing is a specially fitted gum shield - reallt eases the problem, and I now only wear mine when it gets bad. My sister grinds and has TMJ dysfunction - also has a gunshield. Really worth the price.

I hope you manage to get it sorted. In the meantime, try to consciously relax your facial muscles regularly during the day - it may help you become more aware if you are tensing up.

catastrojb · 02/04/2010 22:29

Ooh, sister has a gumshield, not gunshield - which would not be particularly relevant...

Original poster
Shufflingroundthesides · 02/04/2010 22:48

Thanks for all the replies
Fingers crossed that it sorts itself but if not will see someone.And will definately be more aware of tensing my jaw and try to correct it.

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thelittlebluepills · 03/04/2010 11:11

lol at gunshield

WeNeedToLeaveInFiveMinutes · 03/04/2010 18:31

I have TMJ. I clench my teeth at night and hold my tension in my jaw.

I avoid crunchy food like raw veg, I don't bite into big sandwiches or other big bites, I use a teaspoon instead of a desertspoon, I try not to yawn widely, and so on. I do eat a lot of soup!

I had a GA recently and although my jaw was very sore from being intubated during the op, the following days of morphine and loads of tramadol have eased it a lot.

Physio has been brilliant for me. It wasn't recommended by the maxillofacial surgeon but I discovered by chance that it could help when I was chatting to the physio about my boring diet. I was whingeing about how crap well cooked cabbage tasted and she said she could help.

Original poster
Shufflingroundthesides · 07/04/2010 21:24

Well im in a complete state over this now
In midst of anxiety attack
I went to out of hours Gp the weekend and he said it was inflamation in the TMJ joints and gave me ibuprofen.Ihave tried to get in with dentist today and couldnt so going tommorrow lunchtime.My dentist is private so worried about cost also.
Please someone tell me it will go or wont stay this uncomfortable???
My whole face feels like it will explode.
I have had sinus pressure for years ,now i know why.
My jaw is getting more and more locked

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