Increasing soreness/headaches - TMJ Disorder -TemporoMandibular Joint Message Board

hobbitcutie · 04-06-2004, 11:49 PM

Hay, my jaw has been getting progressively worse over the past week or so, and i'm not sure what the deal is. Is this a sign that it may lock up soon? I've never had my jaw lock before, but when i went to a specialist (2 years ago) he said that it could happen at any time. Any of you who have had lock-ups before, did you get a warning in advance? My jaw is currently popping about twice as loudly/gratingly as normal, i'm getting headaches from it (a numb kind of headache, as if i'm not quite all there, i can just feel a little pain in my sinuses/temples), and it was kind of hard to sing the other day in choir. It would be AWFUL if my jaw locked up this month, as i am planning on recording a solo for my choir CD, and i just have a lot to do this month. Anyone have tips on how to keep my jaw from locking? And does it sound like it might? HELP!

beth99 · 04-08-2004, 04:16 PM

Are you in treatment now? If so, I would definitley talk to your dentist. I'm sure everyone's situation is different, but for me, my jaw locked on and off for 2-3 years. It would lock and then it would click back or I could push it back. Unfortunately, the last time it locked, it didn't unlock (Dec 03). I'm in splint therapy hoping it will unlock. I can't say that I had any particular "warning" that it was going to lock; sometimes it was just from eating a big bagel sandwich or something. I would recommend eating a soft diet and trying to get into a TMJ specialist (if you haven't already) to avoid it locking up for good.

Good luck.
Beth

hobbitcutie · 04-08-2004, 11:52 PM

I've been on a liquid/soft diet all day (not easy when you can't have sugar), and it has helped, but i noticed it's not so much pain as it is spasms, which isn't good either. I wish i was having treatment, but i can't afford it right now. I'm going to ask my mom tomorrow to check with our insurance to see if anything can be done, and if not i guess i'll just have to bear with it, and hope it gets better before the end of the month.

beth99 · 04-09-2004, 11:54 AM

If splint therapy isn't an option now, you may be able to find a dentist who will make you a night guard to avoid grinding or clenching at night. It won't be free, but it would be cheaper than splint therapy for now. That is what I did, and it kept me in pretty good shape until a dog ate it

It would be important to get one custom made though, not a sports guard from a store.

Good luck and I hope everything goes well. Another hint is to try to have medical insurance cover it, and have them bill it under one of your symptoms (headaches, back pain, etc) rather than TMJ. Many insurance companies will only pay so much for TMJ (less than for other conditions) or they may not cover ANY TMJ.
Beth

hobbitcutie · 04-09-2004, 01:02 PM

Well, the problem with that is that the specialist said i showed no signs of grinding or clenching...so i don't think a night guard would help. Thanks so much for all of your advice though!