I Have a Question, Is It Early Signs of Tmj? Posted: 02-18-07 16:30pm
Hi, i'm paul! I'm 15 yr old. For the
past 1 or 2 yrs I have had a habit of
moving my lower jaw to on siade and then
the other, and even popping my lower jaw.
On friday I started having problems:
i started experiancing the feeling of my
left jaw begin to tighten up, its very
hard to open my mouth now and the only
time I have releaf from this "tightening"
is when my jaw cracks to the other side
(by accident usually). Because of this
tightening I can only open my mouth to a
cetain point and then it doesn't feel
good. Its hard to chew.
It only hurts whenm I chew though, other
then that I onloy feel pressure alittle in
my jaw. I've also begun to feel pressure
in my ear. (i've had alot of history of
ear problems, including my ear drum
bursting..If that is helpful?).
I've looked up tmj and have found a jaw
excersize to open up the blood flow to the
mussle to clear it out and make it feel
less stressed. To do this it says you
have to open your mouth wide and
straight....But now i'm concerned because
on here I read someone telling another
sufferer never to open your mouth
wide....
Is this tmj? What can I do to help stop
the stress in my jaw and have releaf
without cracking my jaw to the other
side???
Thanks!
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catswolds
Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 28 May 2006 Posts: 62 Location: Michigan
Posted: 02-18-07 23:43pm
Hi paul,
i'm probably the one whose posting you
read that suggested not opening the mouth
wide. The jaw is a very complex joint,
or two if you want to get technical, but
in a way, one as they must work together.
You have been playing with fire a little
bit by moving your jaws side to side.
There is a good possibility that either
one of your discs slipped or your muscles
rebelled.
First - see your dentist. Not all
dentists are familiar enough with tmj to
treat it but you might just have some
overworked jaw muscles and he should
evaluate you. Doctors' usually start
with a two-week prescription of valium for
night time. Treat your jaw like it's
been severely sprained. Be very gentle
with your jaw. Try and get some good
nights' sleep, try not to pop your jaw,
watch your posture in front on the
computer and do eveything you can to relax
your muscles in your shoulders, neck and
jaw areas.
The problem with opening the mouth wide is
that it can cause the disc(s) to get
caught out of place and that then
stretches the ligaments and tendons, etc.
Exercise is good, but I think it would be
best if your family doctor can refer you
to physical therapy with a therapist
trained in tmj problems. Check out the
tmj physical therapy page at nismat.Org.
It's good that you are researching over
the internet and going to support sites.
Education is your best defense, but also
be very careful. Always play it safe.
Nothing drastic or irreversible and I
can't stress enough about posture and . .
. Stress.
My belief is that you are at the very
early stages of tmj and I firmly believe
that tmj is "curable," so don't be
discouraged. Take care of yourself and
if there are any other questions you
might, please feel free to ask. Or, just
stop by to talk tmj if you want.
God bless...
Carol
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catswold
Supporter
Joined: 10 Oct 2005 Posts: 404 Location: Flint, Michigan
How's the Jaw? Posted: 03-07-07 10:40am
Hi Paul,
How are you doing? Did you treat your
jaws like a sprained knee? Were you able
to get the muscles and ligaments to relax?
Did you get to a dentist or physical
therapy? Have you been continuing to
educate yourself about TMJ (and school too
I guess)?
I forgot to mention that it is helpful to
take lots of Vitamin B12. It helps the
ligaments, etc. Magnesium is also
supposed to be good for people who clench
their teeth at night. Also, moist heat.
It helps to relax your muscles, etc. Ice
too (for any swelling).
Please let us know how you are doing?
Remember, I do believe TMJ is "curable"
especially for young people who's bodies
heal so quickly. Take care of yourself
and...
