Admin
Channel Islands Harbor, Ca.
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I am following this closely folks so thanks for the information.
I have not been to a Dr. yet but I'm 100% sure that is what I have.
I clench my teeth a lot lately and the clicks and pops started not too long ago.
I am forcing myself not to do it at least during waking hours.
So far, it appears that 70% of what I started with is gone.
When it first started, I was eating a sandwich with some "crisp" bread and it sounded like a firecracker going off in my head each time I bit down. Came out of nowhere 
I'm going to check on getting a night guard.
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Scottiemom
South Dakota/Indiana
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If this is just starting, I would run to the store and get a night guard. You won't be out much money and you may be amazed at the relief. At any rate, if you do get some relief, but still need more, you at least know what you are dealing with.
As long as I use mine, my problems are minimal. If I forget it for too many nights, I start getting head achy and my ear starts to hurt.
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havedreamwilltravel
Southern California
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Admin wrote:I am following this closely folks so thanks for the information.
I have not been to a Dr. yet but I'm 100% sure that is what I have.
I clench my teeth a lot lately and the clicks and pops started not too long ago.
I am forcing myself not to do it at least during waking hours.
So far, it appears that 70% of what I started with is gone.
When it first started, I was eating a sandwich with some "crisp" bread and it sounded like a firecracker going off in my head each time I bit down. Came out of nowhere
I'm going to check on getting a night guard.
And the sooner you get it taken care of - the better the final results will be.
In addition to the doctor i'd check with a dentist orthodontist. By clenching the teeth, you might have knocked your bite out of alignment or messed up the teeth or dislocated the bottom jaw (what I had). My problem is I waited too long to see the dentist about the pain, popping and clicking and by the time I did all my teeth had shifted to accomodate the dislocated jaw. When the jaw was put back in - I couldn't bite down the teeth had shifted. If it's a minor shift in teeth a dentist could also see if some teeth are hitting throwing off the bite and can grind down areas to stop that. Or, if it's bad enough (like me) orthodontics can be a tremendous help in reconfiguring the teeth and bite to stop the pop and click problem.
See dentist first - asap IMO. See what they say they can see as far as what could be the cause and then go from there.
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Scottiemom
South Dakota/Indiana
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I would make sure the dentist you go to lists TMJ therapy or diagnosis as not all do and some want to dismiss it as nothing. When I first sought treatment I went from doctor to dentist and no one knew anything. When I finally couldn't open my mouth, I called an orthodontist who sent me to an oral surgeon who did the (then new) panorex xray and diagnosed the problem. He then referred me to one of (only) 3 dentists in Indiana who treated TMJ patients. He got my jaw to open through electrical stimulation and put in a bite splint. It helped immensely with the pain, but then I couldn't eat food because my bite was so far out. I eventually had orthodontics and do well today.
Much easier to get treatment now, but make sure you go to someone who is interested in treating it and doesn't say surgery first thing.
The pain can be horrendous. My sister had died a few years earlier from a brain aneurysm and I thought that was what I had, the pain was so severe. I thought I was dying. I taught my young daughter how to dial 911 in case Mommy couldn't wake up.
Just FYI, Burt Reynolds suffers from this as well. He was injured on a set and he went through a really bad time until he was finally diagnosed and treated.
Dale
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havedreamwilltravel
Southern California
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Quote:I would make sure the dentist you go to lists TMJ therapy or diagnosis as not all do and some want to dismiss it as nothing.
Good point - as will doctors too. I had first sought treatment with my doctor who just prescribed Vioxx for the pain. This delayed me seeking treatment from my dentist and by the time I did - it was too late to easily correct/treat and orthodontics was the only way by that point.
So yes...I would skip the doctor, find a dentist who specializes in TMJ diagnosis and treatment and go from there. And I cannot emphasize enough the sooner the better!
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Admin
Channel Islands Harbor, Ca.
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The diagnosis is TMJ confirmed.
I was fitted for a guard today and pick it up tomorrow.
It also seems to be reduced since I'm only eating soft stuff and taking particular pains not to clench or grind during waking hours.
I hope the trend continues  .
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Gale Hawkins
Murray, KY
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I do hope that works for you. TMJ is so misunderstood by many makes it even worse.
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Scottiemom
South Dakota/Indiana
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Gale Hawkins wrote:I do hope that works for you. TMJ is so misunderstood by many makes it even worse.
So true.
I still don't eat real hard crunchy stuff. Never will. But that leaves plenty of other stuff anyway!
I do find I don't like eating something that has several textures. Like in a salad. I love salad, but I keep the croutons and the nuts on the side instead of biting into the salad and getting lettuce, a soft piece of cheese or egg and a hard nut or crouton in one bite. It's like my jaw cannot multitask. Ho ho. I will still eat those items, but I eat them individually.
Dale
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MattyL
Pennsyltuckey
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ive got it, or so says my dad (GP) and my dentist. nothing really worked long term. they both said im too stressed (job related) and to calm down at work, not clnech my jaw, wear a guard at night so i dont grind my teeth, gargle with saltwater??? and use warm compresses at night. well, i am stressed alot at work but i dont think i grind my teeth or clench my jaw. i cant wear a guard at night cause ill spit it out in my sleep and throw it on the floor, and thats when the dog ate my multi-million dollar piece of plastic. the compresses work for short term relife, but sometimes i literally cant open my mouth. i did notice that when i dont dip for a few days, my symptoms get a little better. not sure if having a wad of chew in my lip throws off my alighnment or not but dentist says its not related. however, i think it is. i all but quit drinkin since i got outta college, the copenhagen is my only vice so thats stayin for now. i pretty much wrote it off a few years ago and try not to pay attention to it. im only 25 and im already falling apart.......cant wait till im 50
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stellas_keeper
Geneva, IL
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Don't use a soft guard. A lot of store bought guards are soft. Soft guards can actually stimulate bruxism (grinding) of your teeth, and can make the situation worse over time, even if the short term things feel better.
Good luck...
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