Remedies for severe TMJ???

Question

I think that I have TMJ although I have not yet been dianosed by a physician or dentist. It started about a year ago with some annoying clicking but has gotten progressively worse, with locking and loud popping, since I had my wisdom teeth out about 6 months ago. It has now gotten so bad that I can no longer open my mouth any wider than the width of two of my fingers, and that's only if I'm lucky. It has been like that now for about 5 days. Because I cannot open my mouth, eating, yawning, and even talking are becoming increasingly more uncomfortable.

I have tried cold packs, and hot packs, and Ibuprofen, and once upon a time a tried a mouth brace (like a tooth guard) however that is no longer an option as I cannot open my mouth wide enough to get the guard between my back teeth. Nonetheless, nothing has helped. What I used to to think of as annoying has now become a serious problem.

Does anyone know of any remedies that might help me?

Answer 1

sounds like TMJ/TMD

when you had wisdom teeth removed this happens alot. the opening of the mouth by the doctor for a long period of time and the pushing against the jaw when they are extracting the teeth, it's sad but more people get TMJ from having wisdom teeth out, and from braces.

the treatment of hot pack (not cold) and the advil needs to be on going. like everyday and night for both. you need to put the hot packs not only on the jaw joints but neck and shoulders. do not eat anything that you need to chew alot or crunch, which you are probably not doing since you cannot open your mouth. I think you would benefit from a tens unit which you can buy on line, for getting the muscles to relax. try also warm lotion massage on the jaw, ear and joint/neck areas nothing ruff though you can do this yourself no need to pay for it.try sleeping flat with only a neck pillow or sitting up like in a recliner and see which feels better.
there are allot of TMJ/TMD websites that have alot of info for you.
do not know what state you are in but I would do some searching for a doctor that specializes in TMJ/TMD, there's alot of doctors that say they can treat it but are not experts.
stay away from all caffeine. try this out and see it will not be an over night relief, also if you are waking up in the morning with your jaw very stiff then you are probably also grinding your teeth, (stress) a soft mouth guard would help.
if you have other questiosn you can contact me direct.
good luck!!:)

Answer 2

7 years ago I've been involved in a car wreck and even since suffered with severe on and off facial and jaw pain. I've tried almost everything western medicine had to offer and had visited countless of specialist, had done ct scans, and therapies but to no avail. The doctors I have been to had persisted that there wasn't anything wrong with me and that almost drove me crazy as I was going through hell from this condition. According to all my symptoms I was diagnosed by a holistic doctor as having TMJ and he had recommended this book to me. After following the recommendation in the book for several weeks, it had changed my life. I got immediate relief after following the unique set of exercises in the book and after 2 weeks the jaw and face pain had completely gone. I only wish I would have ordered this program years ago. It would have saved me a lot of pain and anguish.

Answer 3

With your history it seems that you have a problem with the disc that sits atop your tmj. It has slipped and now prevents the normal motion of jaw opening. You should be evaluated by an oral surgeon to determine what is going on. There are some conservative treatments that will give you relief. Good Luck!

Answer 4

YES, THERE'S A CUREBFOR TMJD. THE BRXISM N.T.I. APPLIANCE. SEE THE LINKS BELOW

Answer 5

GO TO THE DOCTOR ASAP