Could I be suffering from TMJ disorder.... - TMJ Disorder -TemporoMandibular Joint Message Board

RaZzMaTaZz · 09-05-2006, 05:01 PM

Hello,

I think I could possibly be suffering from TMJ disorder and I'd appreciate some feedback from people who also suffer from it. About a year ago my dentist made me a mouth guard, and I will honestly say I never wear it until recently. Couple months ago I got very sick and I think that triggered my anxiety causing me to grind more in my sleep hence the reason why I think now I may be suffering from TMJ disorder.

My symptoms:

Sore upper jaw joints (front of ears) Alot worse on my left side
Popping of the jaw joints (has happend a few times now)
Sore neck and shoulder (left side severe stiffness in shoulder and neck)
Left side of face I get aches and pains
Headaches, Scalp pains
When I get stressed out jaw joints get worse
Sometimes eye pain in left eye

Basically, my left side is what is causing me grief. No one has diagnosed me with TMJ disorder, the doctor pretty much ignored it when I mentioned it. He prescribed me muscle relaxers for my left shoulder and my neck. Im getting very frustrated and not really sure what to do. If anyone has any suggestions it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

Thelma-Louise · 09-06-2006, 05:13 PM

Why did your dentist make a mouth guard a year ago? - were you suffering from tmj symptoms back then or did he see evidence you were grinding or clenching back then? Were you having pain back then? Since more than a year has passed since he made it - your bite may have changed since then and it no longer fits properly and that can make things worse instead of helping. You may want him to look at it. Although your regular dentist tried to help by making the night guard you really need to see a tmj specialist or neuromuscular dentist, etc to determine what is wrong and casuing the pain. They do a much more thorough examination of the jaw, joints, and facial muscles in trying to determine the source of the pain. Also you can look into doctors that treat maxilla or cranio facial/head/neck pain.

Thelma-Louise · 09-06-2006, 05:14 PM

Why did your dentist make a mouth guard a year ago? - were you suffering from tmj symptoms back then or did he see evidence you were grinding or clenching back then? Were you having pain back then? Since more than a year has passed since he made it - your bite may have changed since then and it no longer fits properly and that can make things worse instead of helping. You may want him to look at it. Although your regular dentist tried to help by making the night guard you really need to see a tmj specialist or neuromuscular dentist, etc to determine what is wrong and casuing the pain. They do a much more thorough examination of the jaw, joints, and facial muscles in trying to determine the source of the pain. Also you can look into doctors that treat maxilla or cranio facial/head/neck pain.

RaZzMaTaZz · 09-12-2006, 02:51 PM

Thanks for the response. My dentist made me the mouth guard a year ago because he said my teeth show that Iam in fact a grinder in my sleep. The pain and popping of the jaw just recently started I think because I have been sick now since end of June. Dealing with it is very stressful and I have not been wearing my guard so I most likely have been grinding my teeth alot at night. My doctor gave me Salsalate which is for joint pain and that helped immediately. He just told me to start wearing my guard every night which I have been now, and the pain seemed to subside.

He also had a doctor minipulate my neck which has seemed to help alot with the neck pain, it was a little out of whack. But I will definately ask my dentist to check to see if the guard is a good fit still. Thanks again for the response!