tmj discomfort relief?

Question

I wear a night guard for tmj...but it still does not seem to help. i wake up and have a stiff neck and jaw all day and a head ache soem too...help?!

Answer 1

The night guard helps to keep the teeth separated which allows partial relaxation of the tm joint. The headache is from the tight muscles. You can do a few things about this. If you dentist is the one who made you the night guard have him also check your bite. You may need an "occlusal adjustment". That is where your dentist checks the contact of the upper/lower teeth - one by one. If a tooth has any "high spots" it puts extra pressure on the tooth below it - and just like clenching - doesn't allow the tm joint to relax. I have had that done. You can also see a chiropractor - mine periodically adjusts my jaw (mine begins to slip out of the joint) and that has made a huge difference. Find one with a massage therapist on staff so you can get massaged with each visit to break up the tension in the neck. There is also a good book on the market written by a dentist and is filled with exercises and relaxation techniques to help "Taking Control of TMJ" by Robert Uppgaard, DDS. Good luck.

Answer 2

You would possibly wish to check out to make use of a mouth preserve at night time. The enterprise that makes the Breath Rite strips created a mouth preserve that works particularly good and isn't as cumbersome as one of the crucial different guards available in the market. Also, you will have to pass to the physician to discover out if the TMJ is a outcome of your slash jaw being better than your higher, or vs versa. Insurance firms won't pay for TMJ surgical procedure, but when there's a signfiicant malformation of your slash jaw, you'll get it reconstructed to suit. Which will releive one of the crucial issues related to TMJ. Also, you can also wish to consder with no trouble taking out your 12 yr molars. My jaw clicks so unhealthy, and is going to the proper that I broke a couple of tooth. Once I had the tooth eliminated, it widely lowered the quantity of anguish I continued from the TMJ. I did not grind as a lot, did not have as many migraines, and many others.

Answer 3

Change your chewing habits. Sounds cliche, but worked for me. Most people grind food right and left. Limit that as much as possible and add front to back. Normally there is a limit to the motion before your jaw pops. Stay within it, and never let it pop. I haven't had issues but once or twice in 20 years, now. Basically when I forget for too long, then simply reapply what worked.
This really does work, and I hope it will for you as well.

Answer 4

You may be clenching your teeth during the day as well.I found that my TMJ acted up mostly when I was stressed out, and so I did what I could to have less stress in my life, and got into the habit of putting my tongue between my teeth whenever I felt myself clenching (which, of course, hurt like anything when I bit my tongue!). Now I hardly ever have any jaw pain when it used to be quite debilitating.

Answer 5

There are dentists who specialise in conservative TMJ treatment, and you should try this. If conservative treatment doesn't work after about 6 months, you'll probably be referred to an oral surgeon for surgery.

Answer 6

My dentist refered me to a chiropractor, I thought he's crazy---but was willing to try it. He gave me one adjustment and I haven't had a bit of trouble ever since! It really helped me. Try it!