I think I might have TMJ?

Question

I'm in alot of pain is this normal?

Answer 1

TMJ is so brutal that you can't think. Your agonizing pain is excruciating. You literally need shots to knock the migraines (and you) out. You lose weight excessively because you cannot eat, and if its bad enough you'll have to have your back jawbones cut out and replaced with false ones and your mouth wired shut for up to 6 weeks.

However, if you have a "new case" of it, get to a TMJ specialist NOW and get some work done. They can give you some "bite guards" and stuff like that to protect you. SEEK HELP!

Look in the Yellow pages or call a trusting doctor for a reference to a TMJ specialist.

Answer 2

No having a lot of pain is not normal! It is your body trying to tell you something is wrong. If you feel you have TMJS, go and see a dentist. I can feel for you cuz I have it too!!

FYI: Everyone has a TMJ. that is the abreviation for the joint that open and closes your mouth. TMJS stands for the syndrome that gives you the popping, clicking and pain. Sometimes your jaw can even get stuck in an open or closed position. That is why it is good to see a medical professional for this condition.

Answer 3

I too think that I suffer from TMJ, I looked it up under a web page by googling it, It had all kinds of symptoms and info on what causes it. you must go to a Ear.Nose & throat specialist(Otoloaryngist) to get diagnosed, then if it requires surgery to a Oral surgeon. It is caused by the meniscus(spelling) that connects the Maxilla to the Mandible wearing down, which causes the joints to slip out of place. Do you chew alot of gum grind ur teeth. These are things that can cause it, and I know that I'm guilty of the both... Google it and you can find out some really good info. Hope this helps

Answer 4

If you have TMJ (temporomandibular joint), then you're a normal person. In fact, there are two of them: one on the left and one on the right.

Normally, there is no pain at the joints; whether you're talking, chewing, or just chilling out.

What you're experiencing sounds like TMJ Dysfunction. Go see a dentist with training in management of TMJ dysfunction.

Answer 5

Since it's Sunday and you won't be able to see anyone about this today, I'll repost my "standard" answer for home treatment. Get a dentist to evaluate you as soon as you can, though.
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If professional treatment is simply out of the question, you can nurse this along at home for some degree of relief. I am not a huge advocate of drug store appliances, but I recognize their place for individuals such as you who just can't afford proper treatment.

If you twist your ankle, you might decide to take it easy for a few days and you might even use a set of crutches that you happen to have from a previous injury. You have to rest the joint and allow it time to heal. That's common sense. If you try this for a few days and nothing gets better, you give up the idea and go to the doctor.

With that introduction, let me say that I have never seen you and I have not diagnosed your condition. I am not telling you that this is the proper solution for your problem. I am simply giving you an overview of what might work in many cases as a temporary home measure. If you attempt this and find that things get worse instead of better, discontinue it immediately and seek professional help. If you find that this helps a little, but it is necessary for you to continue this home treatment for an extended period of time, you should also consider that you have more than a simple soft tissue injury and seek professional help.

Okay, my disclaimer and the background information are complete.

Go to the drug store and look for the TMJ appliance or bite guard that has a pad on the left and right for you to bite on. In short term, emergency care, this design will be much more effective and less likely to cause damage than the kind that fits over all of your teeth. Buy this appliance and read the label directions and follow those directions.

Here is a home therapy routine that is good to use in conjunction with wearing the above appliance, but it might give you some relief even without the appliance.
1. Run some fairly hot water into your bathroom sink.
2. Soak TWO washcloths in the water.
3. Squeeze most of the water out of the washcloths and apply them to your face in the area of your TMJ just in front of your ears.
4. Every minute or two, wet the washcloths again, squeeze them out and apply to your face as above.
5. After about 15-20 minutes of this routine, you need to stretch out your joints so they don't "freeze up" on you.
6. Look in the mirror and make funny faces. Yes, that's what I said. Move your chin to the left and then to the right, about as far as you can. Repeat this several times, for about 5-10 seconds. Open and close your mouth several times. Jut your chin forward and plop it back where it belongs repeatedly.
7. Start the face-making all over again and repeat this for several minutes until the skin over youth TMJ's is back to normal temperature.
8. After you have done this therapy, wear the TMJ appliance for at least half an hour, if not all night for sleep.

Repeat that routine 3 times a day, evenly spaced through out the day. Your morning session could be done using warm water in the shower, for instance.

If you have had popping for more than about 6 weeks, you are not going to make it go away. You might get the pain to go away, but you will not get the noise to go away.

As with any other joint injury, you need to take it easy on your TMJ. You would do this by being careful about what you eat. Avoid tough, chewy foods or hard things, like hard candy or pretzels. Avoid opening your mouth to any excessive opening. Before you bite a sandwich, for instance, smash it down so that you will not have to open any more than about one inch to get it into your mouth. Consider cutting a sandwich or any other food into small bites.

Continue all of this with care and caution for at least 3 or 4 weeks. If you do not have considerable relief by then, you may have actual damage to the structures of your TMJ and you will need professional help. If you feel like your teeth don't come together properly after completing a home therapy session, you need to have your bite evaluated by a competent dentist.

Good luck and please, use good sense.

Answer 6

YES pain with TMJ is very normal, that's how you know you've got it. mine was so bad it would wake me up in the middle of the night crying. i recently had to go to my dentist and get fitted for a mouth guard to wear at night so that i'll stop grinding my teeth. it's helped alot, you need to go see your dentist soon, and if he can't help you he can refer you to an oral surgeon. aleve is the only thing that can help ease the pain, besides the prescription the dr gave me. good luck!!

Answer 7

i have tmj and it is painful! umm some symptoms are if you cant open your mouth very far and it hurts. if it cracks around.if it pops out of place. things that are not normal. the one reason the it starts it if you grind your teeth when you sleep. and you should go to the dentist and find out what you can do. or cheaper way id to sleep with a mouth guard in when you sleep.

Answer 8

If you jaw pops has you open your mouth. You may also have a very sore mouth on one side or both. It also may hurt from your mouth to your ear. Go to your dentist and see.

Answer 9

usually, I do know that massage therapist can massage it out, but temporary