anyone else have TMJ (jaw issues)

lenoresdream
lenoresdream Posts: 522 Member
in Chit-Chat
I've apparently been clenching my jaw for the past 2 hours and didn't realize it and now my jaw and head are killing me.

It's been pretty good the past few months but man it's bad today. Not sure why, unless watching jaws counts as stressful lol.
Gonna take some advil and wear my mouth guard tonight.

Anyone else have this too?

I try to be aware of when I'm clenching my jaw but when I'm tired or stressed I don't realize I'm doing it.

Also I wish I could just eat a bagel without jaw popping, fatigue and pain.

Anyone have any pointers aside from mouth guard, advil and ice packs when the pain gets too bad? :'(

Replies

  • salembambi
    salembambi Posts: 5,585 Member
    yup i have this

    stretches help and also something i do to release my jaw is open your jaw as wide as you can feel the sides of your head by the ears when you open your jaw you feel an indent there , push on that spot hard for 40 secounds and then let it go

    you will feel the pressure release



  • rileysowner
    rileysowner Posts: 8,330 Member
    Thankfully I don't have TMJ, but my mother does and ultrasound treatments helped her a lot.
  • lenoresdream
    lenoresdream Posts: 522 Member
    salembambi wrote: »
    yup i have this

    stretches help and also something i do to release my jaw is open your jaw as wide as you can feel the sides of your head by the ears when you open your jaw you feel an indent there , push on that spot hard for 40 secounds and then let it go

    you will feel the pressure release


    Omg thank you I'm gonna try this. Thankfully only a few times did my jaw ever get "stuck" where I could only open it about 1/4 inch. This will help thank you!

  • lenoresdream
    lenoresdream Posts: 522 Member
    rileysowner wrote: »
    Thankfully I don't have TMJ, but my mother does and ultrasound treatments helped her a lot.

    Thanks I didn't know these exist! I'll have to see if my insurance covers it!
  • cuckoo_jenibeth
    cuckoo_jenibeth Posts: 1,434 Member
    I had great success with acupuncture!
  • RachelElser
    RachelElser Posts: 427 Member
    ugh, yes! To loosen up your jaw try letting it hang open and wiggle it side to side.
  • jenready
    jenready Posts: 2,658 Member
    I have this issue also. My chiropractor is able to help with it by doing a therapy in that specific area. It helps to realign the joint and really seems to help.
  • cariduttry
    cariduttry Posts: 210 Member
    i have tmj and it sucks! my dentist told me a move to loosen up the one muscle...you take your index finger and put it in your mouth (same side as the hand you're using) and use your thumb on your cheek to pinch...you're looking for the muscle that runs from your jaw to your skull through the cheek - back behind your molars...and pinch hard, massaging that muscle. sometimes, stress causes mine to become all balled up. if you bite down, you'll feel the muscle better. good luck!
  • ClubSilencio
    ClubSilencio Posts: 2,983 Member
    Magnesium might help in addition to the exercises. It's a muscle relaxer.

  • CooCooPuff
    CooCooPuff Posts: 4,374 Member
    I have TMJ and summer is the worst time for me. My insurance doesn't cover much because their dental plan sucks.

    Icy Hot has been a big help. I keep some in my purse and rub it over the affected area
  • Unknown
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  • girl_inflames
    girl_inflames Posts: 374 Member
    edited July 2016
    I have TMJ as well as a misaligned jaw...it's horrible. I need surgery for it but...that costs money haha. I can't chew most things as only a few of my teeth connect top to bottom
  • Jessalyn326
    Jessalyn326 Posts: 2 Member
    I had horrible TMJ pain for two years! At one point I thought an ear infection was just more TMJ pain and I let it go much farther than I ever would have normally. Finally I went to my dentist and he told me to take 400 mg of ibuprofen every two hours for a week (def not safe for everyone!) and made a mold for a custom bitewing made of soft plastic. He was concerned about my enamel in addition to the jaw. I don't know why but I just didn't grind my teeth when I had that bitewing in. I would definitely recommend it. After about a month my pain went away! I think it broke the grinding habit. I don't use it anymore and I don't have any more TMJ pain. Yay!
  • Jessalyn326
    Jessalyn326 Posts: 2 Member
    ClubSilencio wrote: »
    Magnesium might help in addition to the exercises. It's a muscle relaxer.

    It can also help stabilize your mood, which might help someone who grinds their teeth when they're stressed.
  • BoosDimples
    BoosDimples Posts: 2,826 Member
    lenoresdream wrote: »
    I've apparently been clenching my jaw for the past 2 hours and didn't realize it and now my jaw and head are killing me.

    It's been pretty good the past few months but man it's bad today. Not sure why, unless watching jaws counts as stressful lol.
    Gonna take some advil and wear my mouth guard tonight.

    Anyone else have this too?

    I try to be aware of when I'm clenching my jaw but when I'm tired or stressed I don't realize I'm doing it.

    Also I wish I could just eat a bagel without jaw popping, fatigue and pain.

    Anyone have any pointers aside from mouth guard, advil and ice packs when the pain gets too bad? :'(

    Ask your dentist for a soft night bite guard.
  • lenoresdream
    lenoresdream Posts: 522 Member
    Thanks everyone! Anyone know of a good mouthguard? I would go to my dentist but I'm a broke woman whose dental insurance is crap lol.

    Thanks again!

    Also, does magnesium interact badly with psych meds?
  • BoosDimples
    BoosDimples Posts: 2,826 Member
    Don't know about the magnesium, sorry.

    You do need to be professionally fitted for a mouth guard, though. (dental nurse - 15years experience). This involves impressions - not always pleasant, but essential. I hope you find relief from this issue. :smile:
  • BoosDimples
    BoosDimples Posts: 2,826 Member
    I should add, I'm UK. It may differ, eleswhere.
  • lenoresdream
    lenoresdream Posts: 522 Member
    Thanks boo. Unfortunately I can't afford to see a dentist :(
  • CooCooPuff
    CooCooPuff Posts: 4,374 Member
    I feel ya. My insurance is too crap right now for me to feel comfortable seeing one.

    Raw carrots are my favorite, but they bother me too much right now to eat. I've started steaming them in my Instant Pot to make breakfast a lot more pleasant.

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