kirsten07
02-01-2007, 01:31 AM
i have always had a 'bad' jaw. i could never chew gum because my jaw would be so sore and it always felt out of place. well this past year i started getting a bulge on the side of my righT jaw because i was clenching my jaw so hard i think it was pressing very much to the right and it was getting so sore i couldnt open my mouth all the way. i went to the dentist and he gave me a splint to put in my mouth, its only been an week and my bulge it going away very fast and my jaw seems to be going into place i guess. my question is, does this correct my TMJ or will i have to keep my splint for my life or it will go back where i started? i have a horrible habbit of clenching my jaw very very tighly, how can i stop?
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Katie G
02-01-2007, 09:15 PM
:wave: Hello - hooray for you if the splint is working! You may not have to wear it forever, but you will need regular visits to the dentist/specialist that inserted the splint to make sure to monitor any changes in your bite, TMJ or whether the splint needs to be re-fitted over time. I have suffered TMD for 0over 20 years and have had bite splints, then braces, and am now in the final phase of my treatment which will be facial/maxillar surgery to cut away parts of the upper jaw and pull it back to realign with the lower jaw now that the lower jaw is finally in the socket where it belongs. I'm not going to go into my whole sordid tale of TMJ problems and subsequent treatment, but in your case, it sounds like you're on top of the problem early before joint and bone problems develop and may or may not be correctable.
Just be sure to have your specialist monitor your bite splint alignment and fit. You might not have to wear it forever....maybe just at night to keep you from clenching in sleep. During the day, try to be conscious of clenching and keep your teeth slightly apart when your mouth is closed, with the tongue resting gently on the roof of the mouth behind the upper teeth. Don't chew gum, talk with a phone held to your shoulder, or sit with your head resting in a foward position in your hand.
Good luck to you!
Katie G :)
Just be sure to have your specialist monitor your bite splint alignment and fit. You might not have to wear it forever....maybe just at night to keep you from clenching in sleep. During the day, try to be conscious of clenching and keep your teeth slightly apart when your mouth is closed, with the tongue resting gently on the roof of the mouth behind the upper teeth. Don't chew gum, talk with a phone held to your shoulder, or sit with your head resting in a foward position in your hand.
Good luck to you!
Katie G :)