Anyone here have TMD/TMJ?

[Phil Thien]

I've heard it referred to both ways. Temporomandibular disorders, I guess, is the correct technical name.

Basically, problems w/ the lower jaw.

I'm 47, never had any sort of problem with my jaw.

My problem started about two weeks ago. Basically, when I wake up in the morning my teeth won't align if I bite down. I have to use the palm of my hand to push on my lower jaw while biting down to get the teeth to mesh properly. Takes several minutes. Painful, but tolerable.

Then it goes out of whack throughout the day.

Moving jaw (opening mouse) can cause discomfort.

I've read that chewing gum causes problems for people w/ TMD. Funny thing is, I was chewing one to two sticks of gum per day until about a month or two ago because I like peppermint gum. I stopped, in fact, because the store kept running out of my favorite gum and I thought "to heck with it, I'll save the money and skip the gum." Also, even though it was sugar-free, I was told by a really smart guy that it is still hard on the fillings.

I've also had a bad cold and possible sinus infection for the last week or so. I hear that can contribute.

I'm sure hoping this clears up.

Great way to lose weight, though.

Any tips/tricks for enduring this would be welcome.

[Larry Edgerton]

My ex wife had that. She ended up having to wear a mouth guard, similar to a football guard but custom fit, when she went to sleep. It was working.

Can't tell you how it ended uplong term, she is my ex.

Larry

[Greg Peterson]

+1 on the mouth guard. Check with your dentist.

I have it, although a very minor case. For me it is mostly transient. It comes and goes, lasting several days to a week. I do know that certain foods will cause it flair up. It isn't the food but rather the biting pressure required to break it down. Muesli has to be cooked, eating it 'raw' with just milk will definitely make me sore for the next 5-7 days.

[Eric DeSilva]

+2 on the mouth guard/dentist visit. I had an issue about 10 years ago--feeling like it was out of joint all day long, occasional pop at unpredictable times that was accompanied by a rather blinding flash of pain...

Got a mouth guard, used it for about a month. Problem went away and has never come back. Feel pretty luck about that.

[Rob Cunningham]

+3 on the mouth guard. My dentist calls it a night guard. I started wearing one last year because I grind my teeth when sleeping, which can also cause TMJ.

[Brian Elfert]

I had problems with pain in the jaw joints about a year ago. My dentist did some testing and sent me to the dental clinic at the local dental school. They did a workup and had me see a physical therapist who specializes in joint issues. The minor changes the therapist recommended cleared up the pain before my second appointment two weeks later.

They consider even touching your teeth together at all (when not chewing) to be a problem. I have some pretty minor wear on my teeth due to this. I don't have jaw joint pain when I wake up so they said I really don't need a mouth guard.

[sarah schell]

I have TMJ. I have been wearing a night guard for years, and it pretty much prevents problems. I woke up one morning and could not even get a straw in my mouth. I was just locked shut and was in some pretty severe discomfort. It took several hours in the dentist's chair to get it open and make the molds for the guard. He told me to apply a warm damp cloth to the side of my face for 15 minutes and off for 45 minutes throughout the day. Now anytime I feel a flare up coming on I do that for several hours and take some type of OTC anti-inflammatory.

[ray hampton]

not being able to eat because of jaw pain is not a recommended way to diet[no pun intended ]

[Van Huskey]

I would call your dentist and see whether they want you to come there about it or just refer you. Given the quick onset of issues especially making it to 47 with NONE it may be something else. Any unusual stress lately?

[Phil Thien]

I would call your dentist and see whether they want you to come there about it or just refer you. Given the quick onset of issues especially making it to 47 with NONE it may be something else. Any unusual stress lately?

I can't think of any (stress).

The more time that passes, the more I think this has something to do with a cold I've had. And a possible sinus infection that seems to be resolving by itself.

Like all day today I was problem free. Pain when I woke up, gone while at work, started again 8 hours later at the dog park. I don't think I've been pain-free for eight hours in a couple of weeks.

I figured I'd give it a few more days and if it doesn't start to drastically improve (now that I'm really getting over the cold), I'd check w/ my dentist.

You're right, though, and if I hadn't had a cold I'd have gotten to the dentist sooner. Just didn't want to go right away in case this was a side-effect of the cold.

[Phil Thien]

Thanks everyone for all the suggestions in regards to the mouth guard.

Does the mouth guard do anything besides preventing teeth grinding at night? Because I'm pretty sure I don't grind my teeth. Or does the guard also perform another function?

I had a bit of research on them to kind of prepare me for the prospect of my dentist telling me I need one. I found a product mentioned that is sold at Wal-Mart that is DIY (you apparently boil something and then mold it in your mouth). Ran into quite a bit of positive feedback for that product.

So hopefully this is all cold-related and it doesn't become necessary. But it is good to know you guys have had good luck with the guards.

[Van Huskey]

One other thought, do you still have your wisdom teeth? Impacted wisdom teeth can cause this type of symptom as well.

[Phil Thien]

One other thought, do you still have your wisdom teeth? Impacted wisdom teeth can cause this type of symptom as well.

Good thought, but no, I had them out thirty years ago.

[Larry Whitlow]

Phil,

I use a night guard. Actually on my second one -- wore the first one out. I suppose you can purchase off the shelf, but I think it bettter if you have one custom fit by your dentist. They take a mold so the fit is perfect for your bite. I don't have TMJ that I know of but have experienced that jaw "popping" sensation in the past. I have used the night guard for a long time because I grind my teeth. It does work well.

[Wayne Hendrix]

... I found a product mentioned that is sold at Wal-Mart that is DIY (you apparently boil something and then mold it in your mouth). Ran into quite a bit of positive feedback for that product. ...

If you end up needing one I would look at the custom ones that a dentist makes for you. The over the counter ones work but tend to be larger and more bulky than necessary. One of the girls that my wife works with was telling my wife how much she saved by buying one from Walmart instead of the dentist, but changed her tune when she saw my wife's. The one that the dentist makes for my wife is nearly invisible, is small enough that it doesn't affect her voice at all and stays in very well. It's inconspicuous enough that I don't even know whether she has it in or not. It also last quite a while, she only needs new ones every few years.