Could this be TMJ?

[Lockdownbaby2021]

Hi all.
for the last couple of years I’ve noticed I clench my jaw a lot, even more so the last year since having my second.

I’ve started to get a few symptoms and wondered if anyone’s experienced similar?

• jaw cracks/pops when I yawn or sometimes when I eat
• tension headaches
• sensitivity to light
• ears feel blocked
• constant throat clearing / tightness
• post nasal drip
• tooth pain on and off
• scalp hurts when brushing
• feeling of lump in throat / persistent sore throats

i also sleep with my mouth wide open and wake up feeling shocking every day!

anyone else??

Yes I have tmj and have the majority of those symptoms. Mine was caused by clenching. I have a mouth guard I use.

@Odiebay did you get the mouth guard from your dentist? Did they diagnose you or did youe GP?

im struggling today, the back of my tongue is aching and hurts every time I swallow. Its not sore but an uncomfortable bruised feeling when I lift my tongue.

My story is long but il shorten it for you..

It stared with a very bad case of sinusitis. Damaged my eustation tube and gave me ear fullness. That with the tensing of my jaw had me in such pain every day.

I got sick of waiting around for the NHS to do anything so I paid for a private consultation with an ent doctor. He examined me said my ears were fine (I thought that they were the issue) then gently moved my jaw to the side and I was pain free!. He said he suspected tmj and sent me for a CT scan (3days later!) then gave me results.

I have had acupuncture and physio (didn't make a difference) but the tmj and grinding/tensing was damaging my teeth, giving me tooth pain, jaw pain, headaches , facial pain it was horrendous. Ent told me to get a mouth guard which I got from the dentist.

The mouth guard is the most helpful thing. Also some tmj stretches I found on a YouTube video. Do them morning and night. If you are having a flare up do them as often as you can. Ice and heat do help too. The most important thing is to relax your jaw!