i have just turned 23-years-old and for
about the past three years i’ve had a
clicky jaw, i.E. A jaw that
‘pops/clicks’ when I open my mouth at
times. About six months ago, I was given
a mouth guard to wear at night by my
dentist who said he suspected I grind my
teeth at night, he basically put some
moulding stuff into my mouth, pushed it
down hard onto my bottom teeth and then
pulled it out, therefore making a mould of
my bottom teeth (the mouth guard). I was
told to wear this mouth guard at night
and, if possible, when using the pc –
which I have done.
The results seemed good. However, about
three weeks ago, I was eating a kfc and I
got some food in my back wisdom tooth. I
put my tongue in the tooth to get the food
out and I had a terrible stabbing pain in
my jaw hinge (the one that had been
clicking over the years). My ear also
hurt a lot, it seemed to almost be inside
the ear, sounds strange I know!
Now, for the last three weeks, I have
hardly been able to eat – sometimes it
seems slightly better but then one yawn or
bad bite and the pain is back and is
unbearable. Also – the clicking in my
jaw now seems to be much worse. My jaw
seems extremely tight and my sister
noticed I appear to be talking through my
teeth now rather than actually opening my
mouth properly when I talk. So, I have
– tight jaw and sometimes – most
notably when I don’t have my mouth guard
in, intense pain in my jaw, mainly when
biting. My mouth also seems to be dry a
lot, like there isn’t enough saliva –
not sure if that is related?!
I have made an emergency appointment at
the dentist, but they can’t fit me in
until next week.
Does anyone know what they think i’ve
done here?
I am really worried because I have just
started a professional singing career,
which I have always wanted to do and this
is now seriously going to hinder it –
please tell me this will get better soon!
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catswold
Supporter
Joined: 10 Oct 2005 Posts: 404 Location: Flint, Michigan
Jaw Pain Posted: 10-10-05 12:06pm
Hi jameshatter,
i'm so sorry to hear what happened. It
sounds like you may have displaced the
disc in the jaw joint. Until you can get
in to see your dentist:
-- eat only soft foods (no cheating), --
take 3 to 4 200mg of ibuprofen every 3 to
4 hours (with food hopefully),
-- go to a good therapeutic massage
therapist every day or every other day if
you can afford it. Specifically have her
work on your head, neck and shoulders.
It would be even greater if you could find
one educated in tmj who could massage the
inside of your mouth (wearing gloves) back
near the joint for just a few minutes at a
time. A physical therapist would be a
little better, but I don't think you'll be
able to get in so quickly. If you are
still having lots of pain after splint
worked on, ask dentist for a referral to a
physical therapist.
-- use ice and moist heat interchangably
on your jaws. See if your dentist or
doctor will give you a week's worth of 5
mg valium to take at night. -- no more
open mouth yawning.
I hope all goes well. I was a serious
classical wind musician who had to give up
her career because of tmj 25 years ago
(and other reasons). My best friend then
was singer who had tmj and she still sings
to this day.
Let me know how your appointment goes.
God bless...
Carol
