TMJ anyone? - YorkieTalk.com Forums

Charlies Angel · 03-20-2008, 06:21 AM

For about a year I have suffered from TMJ and I can't afford the surgery or even the mouth gaurd! GAr it's just so annoying and painful and it's affecting every aspect of my life. I thought about going to a chiropractor but I've always been so skeptical. Does anyone else know of different treatments to have?

gutu28 · 03-20-2008, 06:41 AM

I know you can get cheaper guards at drug stores and stuff. Do you grind your teeth at night?

bjh · 03-20-2008, 06:41 AM

I am sorry you are suffering with TMJ. Have you tried any natural remedies? Just google 'tmj natural remedy' and maybe you can find some suggestions that might help. I am not really knowledgeable about TMJ but I will pray for you that you get better soon.

katrn · 03-20-2008, 06:53 AM

Only thing that I have learned with mine is to stay away from gum, taffy ect anything that forces you to use your jaw to much. Sometimes i give and chew a little piece of gum(dentyne size) but only for about 30 min until i feel my jaw tightening up. I need the guard as well, and tried the generic ones from the store but they were to thick. I can always tell when I'm stressed though cause I wake up knowing that I clentched my teeth all night long. I'm watching this thread just in case anyone has any other ideas

Jody Renfroe · 03-20-2008, 07:04 AM

I've suffered (and I mean "suffered") with TMJ since I was 17 years old. If you can find a way to have the surgery, it will probably be worth your while. Since I've gotten older, it's become much worse. I can barely open my mouth enough for a dental technician to clean my teeth. Years ago, I wore a retainer over my bottom teeth, but it really didn't seem to help. The teaching group that my dentist back then belonged to wanted me to have the surgery then (that's been about 25 years ago), but back then it was experimental and I wasn't having any of it. I know that if mine gets much worse, I'm going to have to check into surgery. My worst fear is that I'll get old, be in a bed somewhere unable to communicate, and be in terrible pain and unable to tell anyone. I know that sounds weird, but only someone who has experienced this pain will know what I mean. People have committed suicide over TMJ.

I wish you luck!

AshDawn · 03-20-2008, 07:09 AM

I have TMJ as a complication of a headache/migraine problem. Honestly, I HIGHLY recommend a mouth guard. If I don't sleep with mine in I'm feeling it the next day. As gutu28 said above...even if you just get an inexpensive mouth guard from the drug store, it will be worth it. The only other thing that's been recommended to me is using a hot compress. Good luck!

alisonJ · 03-20-2008, 07:25 AM

I agree with AshDawn. Those mouthguards are LIFESAVERS! I have one that I got at Walgreens. You just boil it, and then put it in your mouth so that it conforms to your teeth. I think the thing was about $25. Using this has really reduced my migraine frequency AND the jaw pain.

Check out this link:

http://www.dentalconcepts.com/html/nightguard.html

Little Bit · 03-20-2008, 08:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by katrn

Only thing that I have learned with mine is to stay away from gum, taffy ect anything that forces you to use your jaw to much. Sometimes i give and chew a little piece of gum(dentyne size) but only for about 30 min until i feel my jaw tightening up. I need the guard as well, and tried the generic ones from the store but they were to thick. I can always tell when I'm stressed though cause I wake up knowing that I clentched my teeth all night long. I'm watching this thread just in case anyone has any other ideas

That is exactly what mine is like. I totally clench my teeth when stressed. I had a night guard, but my daughter let our dachshund (that we had at the time) in our room and she chewed it up. Can't afford to replace it and tried those other athletic guards, etc. They just aren't the same and are too bulky.

I only chew gum occasionally and then just until the flavor is gone. When I chew anything I usually only chew on one side of my mouth if I use the other side my jaw pops in and out, clicks and hurts.

Charlies Angel · 03-20-2008, 08:53 AM

I have bought a night gaurd and it was just too big and bulky and it was the smallest one. I felt that my mouth was ever more sore when I woke up, but maybe I should try again.

I too have heard HORRIBLE stories about others with TMJ and I just don't want to end up like that.

I think 5 years of braces and a HORRBILE experiance having my wisdom teeth removed caused me to develop TMJ and then when my dad died it got worse. My sisters friend is a dental hygenist and she felt my mouth and stuff and she said that it doesn't look like I grind my teeth at night so I guess thats good but she said I could still be baring down. I've been praying because I do I do believe in miracles so I hope one day it will feel better and God will take my pain away. I'm just tired of not being able to get my mother on a good cheeseburger, chew some gum...although I've learned to keep a travel sized bottle of Scope with me

I hope all of you who suffer with this condition will get better soon because I feel your pain...if anyone comes across some good natural rememdies please let me know I'm currently searching google now.

Charlies Angel · 03-20-2008, 09:10 AM

What would we do with out? Any way I ran across this article...and I've got so much new stuff to try! Hope this helps yall too

http://www.mothernature.com/Library/...oks/47/130.cfm

Hokule'a · 03-20-2008, 09:10 AM

The most comfortable guard I've found is the one they sell in the sports stores for kids that play BB/FB - they are smaller and thinner than the regular mouth guards

Charlies Angel · 03-20-2008, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hokule'a

The most comfortable guard I've found is the one they sell in the sports stores for kids that play BB/FB - they are smaller and thinner than the regular mouth guards

I'll have to check that out!

KathyinCali · 03-20-2008, 09:36 AM

If you are grinding your teeth along with the clenching you definitely want to do something about it as you will have dental problems in the future - ask me how I know...

Charlies Angel · 03-20-2008, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KathyinCali

If you are grinding your teeth along with the clenching you definitely want to do something about it as you will have dental problems in the future - ask me how I know...

I'm curious to know

cooperk · 03-20-2008, 01:10 PM

I had TMJ for years and found the best relief came from physical therapy, night guard and excercise. You need to first discover the activity causing your TMJ. Night grinding is only one cause. Mine began from a car accident (a year prior to any symptoms of TMJ) combined with a job at the computer (neck tension).

There are definately things that help, like no or less caffine, gum chewing. There is also a PT trick that helped me a great deal. I realized that I clenched my teeth when I entered the winter air (originally from TX, these New England winters are hard to take). My PT told me to curl my tounge and place it behind my top front teeth. It sounds weird, but works great. You can't clinch when you do this.

TMJ means tight muscles around your jaw joint. The popping soud is caused by the "ball" of the joint popping out of position (not a good thing). The way to relieve this problem is to stretch these muscles. Since muscle tension is a "snowballing" effect, it will also be felt in the neck, shoulders and upper back. A good PT will work on stretching these areas...something a chiropractor or sugeon cannot do.

I cringe to read someone suggesting surgery. They haven't been treating TMJ with surgery for years. Please try alternative methods, as they work.
Boston has a great TMJ center. Try googling TMJ Boston and see what they have for advice.

Good luck,

03-20-2008, 06:21 AM	#1
Charlies Angel No Longer a Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Georgia Posts: 311	TMJ anyone? For about a year I have suffered from TMJ and I can't afford the surgery or even the mouth gaurd! GAr it's just so annoying and painful and it's affecting every aspect of my life. I thought about going to a chiropractor but I've always been so skeptical. Does anyone else know of different treatments to have?

03-20-2008, 06:41 AM	#2
gutu28 Lovin' the Cali kisses! Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Lawrenceville, Georgia Posts: 2,990	I know you can get cheaper guards at drug stores and stuff. Do you grind your teeth at night? __________________ Larissa and Cali Let's go Georgia Bulldogs!

03-20-2008, 06:53 AM	#4
katrn Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Elk City, Ok Posts: 425	Only thing that I have learned with mine is to stay away from gum, taffy ect anything that forces you to use your jaw to much. Sometimes i give and chew a little piece of gum(dentyne size) but only for about 30 min until i feel my jaw tightening up. I need the guard as well, and tried the generic ones from the store but they were to thick. I can always tell when I'm stressed though cause I wake up knowing that I clentched my teeth all night long. I'm watching this thread just in case anyone has any other ideas __________________ Kathi, mom to Cricket, Wiley and Pepper. My goal in life is to be the kind of person my dogs think I am! www.okyorkierescue.org

03-20-2008, 07:09 AM	#6
AshDawn Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 104	I have TMJ as a complication of a headache/migraine problem. Honestly, I HIGHLY recommend a mouth guard. If I don't sleep with mine in I'm feeling it the next day. As gutu28 said above...even if you just get an inexpensive mouth guard from the drug store, it will be worth it. The only other thing that's been recommended to me is using a hot compress. Good luck! __________________ Wednesday otherwise known as Wenny and/or the Wenster

03-20-2008, 07:25 AM	#7
alisonJ YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Tucson, Arizona Posts: 1,840	I agree with AshDawn. Those mouthguards are LIFESAVERS! I have one that I got at Walgreens. You just boil it, and then put it in your mouth so that it conforms to your teeth. I think the thing was about $25. Using this has really reduced my migraine frequency AND the jaw pain. Check out this link: http://www.dentalconcepts.com/html/nightguard.html __________________ Alison--Edith Jones's mother www.edithjonesproject.com

03-20-2008, 06:41 AM	#3
bjh Donating YT 5000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Southeast Texas Posts: 7,959	I am sorry you are suffering with TMJ. Have you tried any natural remedies? Just google 'tmj natural remedy' and maybe you can find some suggestions that might help. I am not really knowledgeable about TMJ but I will pray for you that you get better soon.

03-20-2008, 07:04 AM	#5
Jody Renfroe No Longer a Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 1,375	I've suffered (and I mean "suffered") with TMJ since I was 17 years old. If you can find a way to have the surgery, it will probably be worth your while. Since I've gotten older, it's become much worse. I can barely open my mouth enough for a dental technician to clean my teeth. Years ago, I wore a retainer over my bottom teeth, but it really didn't seem to help. The teaching group that my dentist back then belonged to wanted me to have the surgery then (that's been about 25 years ago), but back then it was experimental and I wasn't having any of it. I know that if mine gets much worse, I'm going to have to check into surgery. My worst fear is that I'll get old, be in a bed somewhere unable to communicate, and be in terrible pain and unable to tell anyone. I know that sounds weird, but only someone who has experienced this pain will know what I mean. People have committed suicide over TMJ. I wish you luck!

03-20-2008, 08:53 AM	#9
Charlies Angel No Longer a Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Georgia Posts: 311	Thanks.. I have bought a night gaurd and it was just too big and bulky and it was the smallest one. I felt that my mouth was ever more sore when I woke up, but maybe I should try again. I too have heard HORRIBLE stories about others with TMJ and I just don't want to end up like that. I think 5 years of braces and a HORRBILE experiance having my wisdom teeth removed caused me to develop TMJ and then when my dad died it got worse. My sisters friend is a dental hygenist and she felt my mouth and stuff and she said that it doesn't look like I grind my teeth at night so I guess thats good but she said I could still be baring down. I've been praying because I do I do believe in miracles so I hope one day it will feel better and God will take my pain away. I'm just tired of not being able to get my mother on a good cheeseburger, chew some gum...although I've learned to keep a travel sized bottle of Scope with me I hope all of you who suffer with this condition will get better soon because I feel your pain...if anyone comes across some good natural rememdies please let me know I'm currently searching google now.

03-20-2008, 09:10 AM	#10
Charlies Angel No Longer a Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Georgia Posts: 311	Google What would we do with out? Any way I ran across this article...and I've got so much new stuff to try! Hope this helps yall too http://www.mothernature.com/Library/...oks/47/130.cfm

03-20-2008, 09:10 AM	#11
Hokule'a Donating YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Salt Lake City, UT Posts: 4,591	The most comfortable guard I've found is the one they sell in the sports stores for kids that play BB/FB - they are smaller and thinner than the regular mouth guards __________________ Eva and her keikis: Hokule'a, Kalani & Pi'ilani

03-20-2008, 09:36 AM	#13
KathyinCali Love My Li'l Lucy Donating Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Southern California Posts: 6,700	If you are grinding your teeth along with the clenching you definitely want to do something about it as you will have dental problems in the future - ask me how I know... __________________ Kathy and Lil' Lucy and Jammies Rest in Peace my Sweet Buster

03-20-2008, 01:10 PM	#15
cooperk YT Addict Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Westford, MA Posts: 382	I had TMJ for years and found the best relief came from physical therapy, night guard and excercise. You need to first discover the activity causing your TMJ. Night grinding is only one cause. Mine began from a car accident (a year prior to any symptoms of TMJ) combined with a job at the computer (neck tension). There are definately things that help, like no or less caffine, gum chewing. There is also a PT trick that helped me a great deal. I realized that I clenched my teeth when I entered the winter air (originally from TX, these New England winters are hard to take). My PT told me to curl my tounge and place it behind my top front teeth. It sounds weird, but works great. You can't clinch when you do this. TMJ means tight muscles around your jaw joint. The popping soud is caused by the "ball" of the joint popping out of position (not a good thing). The way to relieve this problem is to stretch these muscles. Since muscle tension is a "snowballing" effect, it will also be felt in the neck, shoulders and upper back. A good PT will work on stretching these areas...something a chiropractor or sugeon cannot do. I cringe to read someone suggesting surgery. They haven't been treating TMJ with surgery for years. Please try alternative methods, as they work. Boston has a great TMJ center. Try googling TMJ Boston and see what they have for advice. Good luck,