Relieving TMJ pain?

butterflylover527
butterflylover527 Posts: 940 Member
in Chit-Chat
I've been diagnosed w/ TMJ but I cannot get a split until after I have my wisdom teeth taken out (which will be in Feb :frown: ) because that might help relieve the pain.

But for the mean time I am suffering, and today has been worse than usual. My jaw is hurting my ear and it causing me to get extremely dizzy and to have a throbbing headache.

I've tried the night split (cheapo from the store) but I can't sleep with it in. I've tried every pain med known to man (meds don't work on me) and I've tried just rubbing my jaw (which right now is making me even more dizzy)

Any tip or tricks to help with TMJ?

Replies

  • XtyAnn17
    XtyAnn17 Posts: 632 Member
    I actually bought a book for relieving t,mj let me see if I can work this iPad well enough to post some good exercises for it.
  • skinnyfithealthyme
    skinnyfithealthyme Posts: 213
    Oh man I am so glad you posted this. I've been dealing with a horrible case of TMJ for a couple weeks. The chiropractor is the only thing that gave me some relief - not full though. My dentist is going to get me a nightguard to see if that keeps me from grinding my teeth and help me. My doctor said to avoid things that aggravate it like chewing gum and such.

    I wish I could be of more help :\ give the chiro a try and see if that helps, mine was relieved by adjusting my neck some. My range of motion is greatly improved it just still hurts when I open my mouth to its widest point but its a lot better than the constant agony I was in.
  • laurarpa
    laurarpa Posts: 244 Member
    Believe it or not, chiropractic or acupuncture can help. Just be aware that sometimes it gets worse before it gets better.
  • mrsmyers1988
    mrsmyers1988 Posts: 11
    get you a night guard from walmart, or get one made at your dentist's office. also try and manage your stress levels.
  • p0pr0cksnc0ke
    p0pr0cksnc0ke Posts: 1,283 Member
    I used to do exercises for it... pressing your tongue to the roof of your mouth firmly then open your mouth like you are yawning.
  • abcmom03
    abcmom03 Posts: 89 Member
    Chiropractic care can sometimes give you some relief. The night splint will help so much. Try some warm compresses on your jaw and avoid anything that involves alot of chewing...gum, candy, ice, beef jerky is a killer too! Good luck!
  • mrsmyers1988
    mrsmyers1988 Posts: 11
    if your tmj is caused by clinching during the day chewing gum can help, but obviously if it makes it worse then stop. sometimes its repeated motion that aggravates it.
  • Im_NotPerfect
    Im_NotPerfect Posts: 2,181 Member
    The only thing I've been able to do is when I start to feel that pain, I start working my jaw loose...move it from side to side. Consciously make yourself relax.
  • LuvDMB
    LuvDMB Posts: 26
    I work in a dental office that specializes in TMD (tempromandibulor disorder) and if you can't get a night guard right away, try warm compresses on the side of your face to help relax the muscle and ibuprofen. Also, all night guards take some getting use to. Try using it consistently for the next couple of weeks. Waking up and finding it on your pillow is not uncommon. But be mindful of symptoms getting worse. Night guards are not one size fits all and sometimes the over the counter ones can make symptoms worse. Has your dentist mentioned the possibility of the wisdom teeth being the culprit?
  • LorinaLynn
    LorinaLynn Posts: 13,247 Member
    February is a LONG way off to deal with that kind of pain. I'd insist the dentist/oral surgeon do something sooner.

    Getting a splint and having it properly adjusted was the only thing that helped my TMJ.
  • butterflylover527
    butterflylover527 Posts: 940 Member
    I work in a dental office that specializes in TMD (tempromandibulor disorder) and if you can't get a night guard right away, try warm compresses on the side of your face to help relax the muscle and ibuprofen. Also, all night guards take some getting use to. Try using it consistently for the next couple of weeks. Waking up and finding it on your pillow is not uncommon. But be mindful of symptoms getting worse. Night guards are not one size fits all and sometimes the over the counter ones can make symptoms worse. Has your dentist mentioned the possibility of the wisdom teeth being the culprit?

    They are fairly sure that's the problem since I have huge wisdom teeth and a small mouth.
  • fbmandy55
    fbmandy55 Posts: 5,263 Member
    I have horrible, disabling TMJ pain. Stress is a huge factor as I am a teeth grinder and clencher. When it does flare up, it gets so bad that all I can do is cry and lay on my back. Sleeping on the side of my face makes the pressure much worse.

    I avoid flare ups by trying to keep my stress level down and honestly, smoked herbs to relax my jaw. :laugh: If you can get medicinal marijuana, I highly recommend it for a stiff/locked jaw.
  • butterflylover527
    butterflylover527 Posts: 940 Member
    February is a LONG way off to deal with that kind of pain. I'd insist the dentist/oral surgeon do something sooner.

    Getting a splint and having it properly adjusted was the only thing that helped my TMJ.

    We don't have the money to pay for it and our insurance will fully cover it in February, that's why I have to wait
  • jmsouth5
    jmsouth5 Posts: 138 Member
    I have always had a slight problem if I had to open my mouth wide, so I just did my best to avoid it. Lately I have had a lot more tension in my shoulders and neck, A LOT! I think I need a really good message first to loosen up and then visit the Chiropractor. Right now my jaw cracks any time and every time I am eating ANYTHING. Driving me crazy, but no pain thankfully.
  • fbmandy55
    fbmandy55 Posts: 5,263 Member
    February is a LONG way off to deal with that kind of pain. I'd insist the dentist/oral surgeon do something sooner.

    Getting a splint and having it properly adjusted was the only thing that helped my TMJ.

    We don't have the money to pay for it and our insurance will fully cover it in February, that's why I have to wait

    I understand. There is only one office in town that treats TMJ and they require a $5,000 deposit just for a consultation! It's not covered by my insurance either.
  • XtyAnn17
    XtyAnn17 Posts: 632 Member
    See if this works..Ok hope these are taken well enough and might help 1st pic is of the book

    ac4c381c.jpg

    935deba4.jpg

    0407600f.jpg

    83544e03.jpg

    70e26dee.jpg

    24a23c8a.jpg

    a7d5e181.jpg

    d8052b43.jpg

    ee3b182e.jpg
  • LorinaLynn
    LorinaLynn Posts: 13,247 Member
    February is a LONG way off to deal with that kind of pain. I'd insist the dentist/oral surgeon do something sooner.

    Getting a splint and having it properly adjusted was the only thing that helped my TMJ.

    We don't have the money to pay for it and our insurance will fully cover it in February, that's why I have to wait

    Ugh... I know what that's like. I had to pay out of pocket for a lot of my treatment (the doctors covered by my medical insurance sucked, and my dentist was a genius, but not covered by the insurance), and while it was a financial hardship, it was worth it. Being in pain is worse than being in debt.
  • butterflylover527
    butterflylover527 Posts: 940 Member
    See if this works..Ok hope these are taken well enough and might help 1st pic is of the book

    Thank you!
  • skinnyfithealthyme
    skinnyfithealthyme Posts: 213
    I get some relief from massaging it from the inside of my mouth. Sounds weird I know but take your thumb and press up by where your ear is connected. You'll know it when you find the spot, try massaging that and see if it helps.
  • butterflylover527
    butterflylover527 Posts: 940 Member
    Thanks guys! Anything else?
  • Sharonks
    Sharonks Posts: 884 Member
    I've used 2 different things. Concentrate on keeping your tongue touching the roof of your mouth. It help you keep from clenching your jaw. Say emmaw repeatedly which help keep your jaw from clenching.

    I usually stretch, massage and ibuprofen mine when it gets bad. For me, the lifesaver has been a custom nightguard which most insurance doesn't cover. I'm not sure why TMJ is often not covered but other chronic pain stuff like arthritis or fibro is.

    I know about the dental insurance thing. I have arthritis in my jaw which is changing my bite. That's why my TMJ has gotten worse over the last 10 years. I had a dentist tell me that he thinks he can do something but insurance doesn't cover it and to just get the molds of my mouth made and analyzed will cost $500. Treatment could cost a little or a lot more depending what is going on. Then once that is done they will need to repair the damage the grinding has done to my teeth which requires possibly root canals and definitely crowns on at least 4 of my molars. At least the nightguard makes it all bearable for now.
  • laurin2010
    laurin2010 Posts: 65
    I work at a dental office and the only way to relieve that is to see your dentist. Ask if they can make you a NTI for the time being until you get your wisdom teeth out (this is a temporary type of "splint" if you will that will give some sense of relief by keeping your teeth apart) we all suffer from stresses in our lives that we end up clenching and griding at all times of day and when you least know it--at night time, this is called nocturnal bruchsism and thus causing TMJ. I would not suggest going to the store and buying any mouth appliances. A splint is custom made (or atleast in our office) to set your joints into the right position (as we would call CR CO) *centric relation to centric occlusion-The only thing the store bought appliance will do is make it worse. A splint will create a "perfect bite" if you will, providing flawless guidence if made correctly relieveing your joints and keeping your teeth apart from further wear fassets. You will love your splint, I too wear one anc cannot sleep without it.

Categories