Do Any Other Moms Have TMJ?

I had TMJ. After some time I went to my dentist who sent me to an orthodontist. I was able to get a night guard which helped a little, then I had braces. Since they have come off I have had little problems with this. I hope you feel better.

this may sound funny but my doctor and dentist did not know what to do so I went to my moms chiropractor and it did wonders for me, that was about 11 years ago and my pain went from 100% to only about 1% now and then. Good Luck!

Yes, and no one seems to know what to do. My jaw clicks. The dentist also said my teeth grind, and I ordered the bite guard.
It still feels the same. But, it has no pain with it at least.

I have had TMJ since I was a teenager and I am now 43. It is a huge issue in my life (and it triggers migraines for me). The best thing I ever did was finally get a bite plate to wear at night. Find a dentist who know what he/she is doing and he/she can set you up. This will not be covered on insurance, but it is sooooo worth it. When it gets really bad I take flexiril, which is an muscle relaxant. When I do not wear my plate, the TMJ comes back immediately. I still have bad episodes, but nothing like before.

I am sorry that you are dealing with this. It is really, really painful.

I agree with Letitia about the bite plate, but if you can't afford one from the dentist (normally around $200-$300) you can go to the drug store and get a boil and fit one for about $25 - not perfect fit, but MUCH better than nothing.

I also will take a wet washcloth with a few drops of aromatherapy on it and heat it for a few mins in the micro then lay it over your face. Breathe in the scent (I like the calming effect of peppermint, it reduces stress, thus reducing the tention in your jaw - plus heat on your jaw feels good).

My DDS told me to try as much as possible to keep the tip of your tongue to the roof of your mouth when your working, reading or on PC -this will keep you from tightening your jaw - sometimes you don't even realize you are doing it. Advil is great too! Good luck I know it's very painful at times!

Chiropractic and massage has helped me in the past. Good luck!

massage massage massage.
there are amazing pressure points that you can press and rub to relieve tension on the outside and even INSIDE your mouth!
Rub your own jaw many times a day and find ways to relax in general.
take hot baths, learn to meditate, exercise, deep breath, get rid of relationships that don't nourish you. Get outside in nature and avoid stressful news and TV

I too have TMJ. The tongue on the roof of my mouth trick helps, but it also helps just to concentrate on leaving the mouth slightly open and relaxed before I sleep. Luckily I am a Bowenwork therapist and I can mostly keep my jaw in alignment with a massage over the jaw area. My office is in Watsonville, and if you live close I will be happy to give you a free session. See if it works for you. For half my clients only one session is needed, so this could be an inexpensive fix. If you want to check me out my website is: www.centralcoasthomeopathy.com .Once every month I offer a free service to a Mamasource mom that I think I can help. No strings...it's just my way of giving back to mom's that work hard raising their kids. If you would like to call me, my phone number is ###-###-####. It's not something that you have to live with. Be well :-) L.

My teenage daughter recently was diagnosed with TMJ and the symptoms only get worse. You don't want to get to the point where your jaw locks. We are seeing a specialist in Redwood City named Dr. Mark Abramson. After only 1 week the pain got better, after 2 weeks it is almost gone. We have a couple of weeks left, hopefully, then done. Good luck.

I just want to add to all the great advice you've already received to try the TMJ clinic at UCSF. It's part of their dental school. I have suffered with TMJ forever and have tried various night gaurds and PT. It worked kinda. My chiroprator is the one who actually reccomended that I go to this clinic and it has made all the difference. They did an MRI of my jaw and found I have actual damage. I had been using the wrong type of guard and it was making it worse.

Good luck!
J.

I have had TMJ forever, but didn't start experience your type of symptoms til a little over a year ago. I went to my doctor who did a CT scan, but didn't find anything. He thought it could be my TMJ causing it and referred me to a dentist in Sacramento who specializes in TMJ- Dr. Timothy Mickiewickz. The dentist is great. He did all kinds of exams and made a splint for me to wear at night. Has really helped tons. Also, because it was a referral from my doctor, my health insurance covered it because it's a medical condition. Best of luck to you.

Chiropractic has great sucess with TMJ problems, especially if you are having neck pain and headaches with it. You should be evaluated by a chiropractor who will take x-rays and look just under the base of the skull at your first vertebra. If this is out of alignment it can cause TMJ, headaches, migraines, dizziness, ringing in the ears and sinus and allergy symptoms.

My sister had TMJ problems starting in high school. She has been wearing a mouthpiece at night, and I am not aware of her having any problems now.

I would recomend going in for a massage and have the massage therapist do some trigger point work in the TMJ joint and realy strecth out your neck and work your whole back. Thats my advice from a massage therapist. I have training in spefic spots and one of them is Trigger point. Ask question before u book the appt and realx and feel comofrtable. I am in the Yuba City area, if you are instreated contact me and we can set up up an appt. Hope all goes well

Order a night guard from your dentist. It really helps if you're grinding your teeth at night, which is often the cause for TMJ. It may be expensive but if you grind bad, over the long term you can also wear away your molars and you get other dental issues. In my case, after I discovered I had food sensitivities and removed them from my diet, I stopped grinding my teeth and stopped being such a nervous wreck as well. Food sensitivities can affect the nervous system. You may want to look into that.

OK, so what is TMJ?

Hi K.,

When your muscles tighten up it can cause pain. I had TMJ and tried magnetic therapy and it really makes a difference.

If you want more info let me know.

Have a great day.

N. Marie

TMJ, neck pain, vertigo, and headaches are all on the list for a magnesium deficiency.

Teeth grinding - b5 and magnesium.

Daily, try "nature calm" drinkable form of magnesium, and spray magnesium oil onto the skin and let it dry. take b5. Sometimes added b complex liquid drops under the tounge 1-2 x a day help people. you have to just see what works for you.

You need to see your dentist. They can do some adjustments to help realign your jaw. Also, Chiropractors are trained to do this as well.

Hi K.,

I have had TMJ since I was an early teen. It can get pretty bad sometimes, but the best thing that I have found, especially when I start to get the headaches in my temples, is a soft mouth guard.

My dentist made me one, but if you are on a budget or don't have insurance, you can try a sports mouth guard.

When my jaw really hurts I take a tylenol and wear my mouth guard overnight. The next day it is usually a lot better.

Anyway, I hope this helps and I know your pain.

Maybe not your complete answer but I have a long skinny bean pillow that i sleep on and it does wonders to relive tension in my neck and back of my head. Also cranila sacral massage is excellent. The first is cheaper. P

Dear K.,
TMJ is awful. I have suffered with it for years.
I have times where I can't get my mouth open...my jaws get stuck. My dentist showed me how to press on the joints to release it.
Honestly, the thing that really helped me the most was wearing a bite guard at night. It doesn't allow me to close my mouth all the way when I sleep. You can get fitted for one, but in the meantime, my dentist had me get one at the drug store in the sports section of the pharmacy. You drop it in hot water to soften it and put it in your mouth while it's still warm so it can mold and fit properly. I think they came in a pack of two and only cost a few bucks. I really noticed a difference right away. Massage and a good pillow to support your neck helps as well.

I wish you the best!

K.,

TMJ can be quite painful but is treatable. In addition to getting a fitted bite guard seeing a good physical therapist will be very helpful. TMJ issues are caused by tightness through the joint as well as through the neck. You add in muscle imbalances (tightness/weakness) and it makes the problem even worse. Physical therapy can address these issues and your dentist can fit you for the bite guard. If you need a recommendation for a PT just let me know. Good luck!

C. B Palmer
www.linabean.myarbonne.com

Your dentist can make you a nightguard that will help with the aching. My popping has never gone away and gets worse at certain stressful times, but the nightguard definatley helps with the aching. I didn't get to read all your responses, but yes, a chiropractor may also be able to help with the tension.