TMJ or crazy! - TMJ Disorder -TemporoMandibular Joint Message Board

GEEL · 04-04-2006, 07:55 AM

Hi, I am new here. I am 34, female,left jaw pops, I am a teeth clencher and have major problems with anxiety (I feel due to this). Can TMJ flare up?? My first bad episode was over 4 years ago. (tooth extraction, back molar, upper left) I was "sick" for 7 months. Since that time I can remember times of not feeling so great with symptoms but manageable. I had my teeth cleaned in Dec. 05 no problem. Then in Jan. 06 I had a filling replaced on bottom lower left. Other than being uncomfortable (she drilled for 5 minutes it seemed like

I thought it was okay, but I have not been the same since. My mouth was(is) sore, teeth sensitive, about a week later I had what I thought was a terrbile sinus infection. Felt like someone popped me in the left cheek. Noticeable teeth clenching during the day, tension headaches! watery eyes (esp. left), all over ear pain. It goes on and on. Now both jaws are sore at times and tired feeling. Cheek feels different from day to day. I have episodes of dizzieness. And all of this is not helping with my anxiety. I take no drugs presently. Before I head off to the doctors I would like to know, if like other disorders, can TMJ disorder flare up? (4 years ago they ran every imaginable test and told me it was emotional issues!) Thank you for your time.

VA-GAL · 04-04-2006, 09:06 AM

TMJ can and does flare up. It can come and go just like you described. Certain things like dental work can cause it to flare up. Mine is pretty much constant unfortunately. You should get it treated as soon as possible by a good TMJ dentist. Don't let them tell you it is emotional issues. That is just stupid, and I bet it was a man that said that. Anxiety can cause added clenching and grinding, but that does not mean it is not a real problem that needs treatment. There are some things you can do for yourself right away until you see a dentist. Stay away from hard to eat foods like steak, sub sandwiches, hard candy, caramels, really chewy food, gum, stuff like that. You can use ice and/or heat on your jaw which ever makes you feel better. I like ice, but most people seem to like heat. Ice is better for inflammation and heat is better for muscle spasms. Try and be aware of things that are triggering your anxiety and be aware of your clenching. In the mean time, find yourself a good TMJ dentist. Not just any old dentist will do. You need to find someone who really knows how to diagnosis your particular problem and treat it. You can ask your regular dentist for a name of someone or start a new thread with your general location and perhaps someone here and point you in the right direction.

Good luck and don't let anyone tell you this is an emotional issue. It is a real physical problem that will not get better by itself.

VA-gal