Picking a Doctor? - TMJ Disorder -TemporoMandibular Joint Message Board

HelloStar · 04-14-2008, 03:26 PM

First, I'd like to give a little background information

I'm 27 and I have a long history of dental work (braces for 4 years, followed by regular 6 month cleanings from the ages of 18 - 25), as well as being quite the ice chewer when I was younger. I had my wisdom teeth cut out at 16 before they ever came in.
I don't grind my teeth at night. I may clench though but I'm not entirely sure on that either. I think part of my problem is that I have a lot of teeth in a little jaw, which is one reason my wisdom teeth were cut out. Or maybe just all the orthodontic work I had as a teenager, who knows.
I'd say too that my computer habits of the last 12 years haven't helped either.

A little over a week ago, I started having jaw pain after using my new electric toothbrush. Then one morning, I yawned and my jaw gave a tremendous cracking noise.
The jaw pain subsided in about 3 days after that and I had this deep aching feel for the next couple of days, as well as my teeth aching. I've kept myself to a diet of soft, non-chewy foods, avoided big jaw movements, kept myself on anti-inflammatories such as aspirin and turmeric, and kept cold packs on it as well.
I still pop but the popping is painless and seems confined to when I chew and not even all the time then.

I would like to go get this checked out by someone though come next month, just in case this is the start of something worse. I want to head it off at the pass, so to speak. I am currently uninsured and live about an hour away from my hometown.
Should I look to the dentist who has done all of my cleanings for the last 6 or so years? Should I go to an OP first? When I go, what should I tell them about? Simply that my jaw is popping, though it is painless, and I'd like to see if it's anything serious?

Thelma-Louise · 04-14-2008, 06:06 PM

I would speak with your dentist first - just explain what happened as you did here. Even if this is out of his league or what he normally does - he may know of a good tmj or neuromuscular dentist or orthodontist that he has referred other patients to or who is well known in the dental community in your area. It will help also that he knows your dental history as you described. Sometimes flareups such as these can resolve themselves over time.

HelloStar · 04-16-2008, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thelma-Louise

I would speak with your dentist first - just explain what happened as you did here. Even if this is out of his league or what he normally does - he may know of a good tmj or neuromuscular dentist or orthodontist that he has referred other patients to or who is well known in the dental community in your area. It will help also that he knows your dental history as you described. Sometimes flareups such as these can resolve themselves over time.

Thank you so much, I appreciate the response

I'm feeling pretty ok for now, which is one reason I want to postpone my doctor's visit till after my trip.
I don't pop as much when I chew now and it seems confined to 'side-to-side' movements. Like if I have a big mouthful to chew. My mouth still opens fully (I've never had a wide bite to begin with).
I usually feel perfectly fine when I first get up in the morning and, as the day progresses, the aching in my teeth/jaws/pulling feeling around the joint comes back. The pain seems to come in twinges, like a spasm.
I've always had muscle spasms though. I've had my eyelid twitch for days or spots on my leg twitch as well.
I'll probably bring this up with my mother (she and I are very close) the next time we chat. Knowing her though, if I do, I'll be going to see someone sooner rather than later, haha. Again, thank you for all the help!