Need Help Fast....running Out of Time Posted: 11-29-03 17:47pm
I have been suffering from tmj for 6 years
and I believe that it started when I had
an accident in which the air bag of the
vehicle deployed and hit me in the chin
throwing my head back. The dr didnt seem
to think that it was to bad and just made
me a splint to wear at night. Well the
spint was huge and very uncomfortable to
wear and so I never did. Over the years
it has gotten much worse. I bite down
very hard on my teeth all night leaving me
a headache when I wake up in the morning.
I then bite down all day leaving me a
headache all day long. My jaws are very
sore and when I get these headaches my
ears turn red and I am wondering if this
could be from some obstruction of blood
vessels in my head from the tmj. There
is alot of clicking in my jaw and if I
talk very much I get a headache. I am
going to see a neurologist soon. Do you
think that will help?
Sara
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saturn24
Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 25 Nov 2003 Posts: 205 Location: Pittsburgh, Pa
Posted: 11-30-03 07:28am
It may help, but if you really want it
gone for good, you will probably have to
get braces. I had braces for three years
and had perfect teeth. Then, my fiancee
and I got in a wrestling match and he
injured my jaw. ( it really was an
accident) I now have tmj and my dentist
said in order to straighten my jaw and get
rid of it, I would have to get my braces
back on for about another two years.
It would be costly and time consuming, but
if it is really bothering you, it would
probably be worth it. Plus, since it is
for health reasons, you may be able to
talk your insurance company into paying
for part of it.
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goodwillstacy
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 18 Jun 2004 Posts: 4 Location: San Francisco, CA
Posted: 06-18-04 04:36am
Before getting braces (which is
irreversible) please make sure that you
have tried all the conservative
(reversible) treatments for this, such as
splints (there are many different kinds,
the one you had might just not be the
right one for you), physical therapy, etc.
If you'd like more information on this,
search "conservative treatment for tmj
disorders" or "phases of treatments for
tmj disorders" on google and you should
pull up a great deal of info. Or if you
need help let me know and I will see what
I can find.
Also, things that you can do to reduce the
pain now:
advil (talk with your doc about
possibly increasing the dosage to help
with swelling)
ice or moist heat (both are fine, it
is really a personal preference. I like
this one: th
ermophore the petite size is great,
and it has velcro to wrap around your
head.
soft diet (no chewing if you really
want to give your jaw a rest).
always think "lips together teeth
apart" when you are doing anything.. This
way you are not clenching your teeth. If
you make this a habit you will feel much
better.
practice good posture when you are
sitting at the computer, standing,
sleeping, etc. You can search this
online too, or a physical therapist will
help you.
