TMJ/Bruxism - Dental Health Message Board

neveragain444 · 05-16-2009, 03:10 PM

Are there any good treatment options, something that actually works, to get rid of TMJ/Bruxism pain without using a night guard. Right now that option just isn't in my budget. I'm at the point that it hurts to eat anything, it hurts to open my mouth, & I am having some kind of pain, I don't know, maybe spasmic, on both sides of my face, + headache/neck pain.

So I've tried Flexeril, Ibuprofen, & Darvocet. It doesn't cut the mustard. How about Soma, is it more helpful for any reason than other muscle relaxants? I know my dentist used to prescribe that but he won't give me anything for it anymore.

Does heat/cold packs help at all if you use them regularly?

2 weeks before I see my PCP. How can I relax those muscles w/out medication? I'm dying here.

Stribe · 05-16-2009, 06:18 PM

Ibuprofen taking consistantly will help with the joint swelling (which causes pain), and a warm pack will help too. However, when you are to the point you describe, you need to go see an oral surgeon who knows how to work with TMJ, not just a general dentist for a nightguard, which can only help after the swelling goes down.
You might also check with your physician, TMJ and Ear infections exibit similar symptoms.

neveragain444 · 05-16-2009, 07:21 PM

my insurance won't pay for TMJ treatment, it will only pay for medications.

what could an oral surgeon do?

lol. this is definetly not an ear infection. have you ever had an ear infection make it hurt to chew food? shoot, i haven't. i rarely ever get an ear infection.
and when i do, it hurts my ear/not my mouth or jaw.

I would rather have an ear infection. Anyone wanna trade me troubles?

I'm afraid to take much Ibuprofen, with my abdomen hurting like it is when I eat, that kind of medication is horrible for your stomach & with reflux issues.
I'd just be asking for trouble.

Stribe · 05-16-2009, 07:31 PM

"what could an oral surgeon do? "
1) Put you on steroids to reduce the inflammation (this usually resolves most simple TMJ problems)
2) If that does not work, they do an arthrolavage, basically give your joint an oil change.
3) Last resort is surgery
Oral surgeons are the typical speciality that deals with TMJ issues.

"have you ever had an ear infection make it hurt to chew food?"
Yes, my mother had an ear infection that made it hurt to chew and open wide. Course of antibiotics and it cleared up. The bone between your joint and ear is a mm thick, giving a common source for referred pain.

There is a TMJ forum here btw, you might ask there.

neveragain444 · 05-17-2009, 07:25 AM

Wow I'm amazed an ear infection can do that. I've had middle ear infections but all they did was make my ear hurt really bad, and pressure in my ear. This has been a long agonizing problem anyways. Ear infections, will kindly go way. This doesn't.

I do not want any kind of surgery. Esp that I would have to pay for. I'm already in $15000 from nasal surgery & don't know how I'm going to pay that.

Oh, ok. Didn't realize that forum existed.

I'm just going to take the Ibuprofen every 6 hrs as a preventive measure for the pain & pray it works until I see my dr. I don't want to take that stuff too much. And well steriods, I could ask my PCP for those, I wouldn't have to see an oral surgeon for that.

Thanks for the help.