New-a question?

Hi,

I am new to this message board. I stumbles across it and decided to read some posts and found some interesting information.

About 2 and a half years ago I started having a problem with my jaw. I noticed one morning after I woke up that my jaw on the left side was "locked". I would have to open my mouth really wide in order to "pop" it back in place. This just out of the blue happened, but from then on it happens almost every night and has continued over the years. I told my orthodontist, and he said to just take some advil if it was causing pain. My dentist said it was no big deal because I was able to pop it back in place on my own.
I don't think its a big deal but it is odd. When I sleep the bottom part of my mouth slips to the left...I am afraid this is starting to mess up my bite and ruin my years of braces. One reason I started braces was because my bite was off.
The displacement isn't really painful, but sometimes my jaw aches. I still wear a retainer at night, besides helping my teeth i have noticed that if I don't wear it I grind and clench my teeth alot. I'm starting to think i may have TMJ or will develop into it. I don't have major pains but I have had headaches for most of my life (partly hereditary, but maybe it is related).
Just wondering if anybody has any thoughts or has had this jaw locking thing at night??

Thanks

[Elaine]

Daisy,
Braces can cause TMJ, several on this board are proof of that. Others, braces has helped their TMJ.
It is a very complex subject, one nobody really understands. The locking, popping, headaches are TMJ related. Consider yourself very lucky if there is not much pain involved. As for what to do about it, I will leave that alone. If I had it to do over again, I would have done nothing.
Elaine

[*Cat*]

Hi Daisy

Wow, it really sounds like TMJ to me. And I agree with Elaine, you are lucky you aren't experiencing much pain!! That is something to be positive about. Definately keep asking the doctor and the dentist....that is the only way to get to the bottom of what is going on.

I had braces to, and I know my wasn't caused by them....but have read so much about braces causing other peoples!! Keep thinking positive, even when it's hard. And keep asking questions!

Cat