Face Twitches and TMJ? - TMJ Disorder -TemporoMandibular Joint Message Board

SanityLost · 10-12-2003, 08:54 PM

Hi Everyone,

I'm new here, so bear with me and my lack of knowledge on this topic. I have been reading a lot of the posts on here and I figure if anyone can answer a question I have, this would be the place to ask. My girlfriend, 24 years old, was diagnosed with TMJ about 6 months ago and has seen a couple of dentists and doctors for it. She has been wearing this plastic mouth guard for a couple of weeks. She still has really bad headaches all the time and shooting pains in the right side of her face that go up behind her ear. The dentist said that this is not out of the ordinary for the first couple of weeks, because the muscles are stretching out and her jaw is "finding a home", as he put it.

The question I have is that for the past week she has developed this 'twitching' on the right side of her face, under her eye. At first, it was just annoying... but now it's driving her crazy. It's bad enough that she is miserable from the pain, but now she's got this noticable twitching thing going on.

Does anyone know if this could be caused by this mouth guard and that maybe it's not working right, or maybe this is a common problem with TMJ patients? I'm doing everything I can to try and help her out, and I hope someone can help me find a solution for her.

S.L.

DianeTMJ · 10-13-2003, 03:35 PM

Hello S. L.
Welcome to the board

Oh so young and to be having TMJD pain :0(
Okay, you say a mouth guard, is it an upper or lower one? Is it a soft splint or a hard acryrlic splint?
Is she seeing a specialist? I am sorry for all the questions, but it will just help the board members out. TMJD is an awful thing to live with, you are a wonderful boyfriend for wanting to stay by her side as she goes through the healing process.
Take care
Diane

Isobelj · 10-13-2003, 07:06 PM

Dr Rebecca Griffiths, a dentist who works with tmj patients, mentions facial tension muscle aches & tics as common tmj symptoms on her website. Just recently I experienced for the first time what you mention also, a twitching 'tic' under my right eye, I was on a long car journey this weekend and car vibration always bothers me. It stopped thankfully during the night. but it is horrid, and visible, I know how your girlfriend must feel. Using moist heat and cold alternately on the area would very possibly help, a moist heat pad really helped me.

You are a great boyfriend to take such an interest and to come here looking for info on your girlfriend's behalf!

Isobel

[This message has been edited by Isobelj (edited 10-13-2003).]

Puzzled · 10-13-2003, 09:26 PM

Hi Sanity, not too many from Chicago area on this site. Go Cubs!!! I hope your girlfriend feels better soon. I have been in the process of getting names of doctors in the area in case my current splint doesn't help. It appears there are a lot of TMJ doctors in Chicago so if things don't work out with your current docs and you need names of others, let me know. Deb

CherylLynn24 · 10-14-2003, 01:39 AM

Hi S.L.,

Welcome to the board. I too, have had eye-twitching. I never considered it related, until I read Isobel's response. (thanks, Isobel) I hope that your girlfriend finds some answers soon. It's wonderful that you're here for her!
Cheryl

[This message has been edited by CherylLynn24 (edited 10-14-2003).]