TMJ Question, I am in so much pain! - Page 2 - YorkieTalk.com Forums

AshSavalle · 04-17-2009, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gracie2006

Please do not use an over the counter night guard unless a qualified professional says you don't have a TMJ problem. They are not made for people with TMJ, the boxes say so, and they can only make the pain worse.

I tried one of the over the counter ones and ended up throwing it across the room while i was asleep

!!! I didnt like it anyways, it was huge, like a sports mouth guard. My I would call your dentist. Mine told me about one that is super small and fits over only 4 teeth.

TresCutePiggies · 04-17-2009, 11:49 AM

I had a mouthguard made to "fill in" my bite, and it helps tremendously. If I even forget it one night, I wake up hurting the next morning. I don't envy you at all with that pain. I remember it going all the way up into my ears and every time I'd move my jaw would crunch and pop. Ugh! It's so easy to say, but try to do any activity that makes you relax and forget about it. If I get stressed about something, I immediately feel it in my neck and jaw...weird I know! I have also pretty much stopped chewing gum because that can make symptoms come on when I've haven't been having problems at all.

I'm sorry you cancelled your dental insurance.

alisonJ · 04-17-2009, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by celstu1

Thanks for the tip of the night guard... how well can you sleep with one in? Can you breathe ok at night?

I sleep well with it! In fact, I can't sleep without it. They are considerably less bulky than when I first started using them. They have pared down the size.

DreamySamantha · 04-17-2009, 01:06 PM

Dental insurance will usually only cover an occlusal guard about 25% of the time, and then only about 50% of the total price the dentist charges. This is what I suggest (being in the dental profession). Going to the dentist and having an occlusal guard made. This is a hard guard that is fitted to one of your arches with a smooth bottom. It keeps you from grinding and irritating those tendons, ligaments, and muscles that are aching. Do not use the over the counter guards that are soft as they will make the problem worse. A lab made occlusal guard usually runs $500 or more, pricey but the best solution for many people with this problem and can save you from failing teeth and surgery later on. Best of luck, try your dentist first for an exam!!!

alisonJ · 04-17-2009, 01:53 PM

Mouth Guards - a knol by Noshir Mehta

celstu1 · 04-20-2009, 11:03 AM

You all have been so helpful! I was really nervous on friday with the pain I was in. Can you believe by friday night I realized it was almost gone and by saturday morning it was completely gone? No more pain, nothing! Unexplained pain, go figure!

MyTrixie143 · 04-20-2009, 04:38 PM

I am glad to hear you are feeling better!! It sure can cause a lot of pain.

I had TMJ and it got to be so bad that my jaw would lock if I opened it past a certain amount. I had to have surgery and had to wear a mouth guard at night. I no longer have problems with it except on an occasion.

Cares4Dogs · 04-20-2009, 06:53 PM

hows the tmj thing now?

I have it...I cant chew gum anymore cuz my jaw pops and OMG does it hurt.

I never get the pain you describe though

and I've been told by 3 dentists that i had pretty severe tmj. The knots got so bad in the joint that they had a struggle to get a needle through to numb me up.

Aint it irritating that health insurance doesnt cover the dentist? Last time I checked-the mouth WAS a part of the HUMAN BODY!!!!! Plus your teeth/jaws can affect your health......I just dont get it I guess.

My sister is a hygenist and says the over-the-counter guards are no good. Need a hard one-not a soft one. I dont use them, but I really should

wonderwoman41 · 04-22-2009, 08:09 PM

I used to work for an oral surgeon for 6 years. I too have TMJ. It is brought on by stress. I grind my teeth at night and to have a guard made was over $800.00. You can have an MRI done to show how much damage you have in the jaw. There is surgery to fix this type of problem. If you problem is bad enough, you could actually lock your jaw and you could not close your mouth. Then you would have to have a close reduction done by a oral surgeon. I use moist heat when my jaw starts to flair up. The key is moist heat. You need a heating pad that allows moisture. If you cannot buy one or don't have one, then take a wash cloth and run it under water and ring it out and put it into the microwave. Heating the cloth up and putting it on your jaw. I hope this helps.

04-17-2009, 11:49 AM	#17
TresCutePiggies Owned by Rory & Lane Donating Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 1,893	I had a mouthguard made to "fill in" my bite, and it helps tremendously. If I even forget it one night, I wake up hurting the next morning. I don't envy you at all with that pain. I remember it going all the way up into my ears and every time I'd move my jaw would crunch and pop. Ugh! It's so easy to say, but try to do any activity that makes you relax and forget about it. If I get stressed about something, I immediately feel it in my neck and jaw...weird I know! I have also pretty much stopped chewing gum because that can make symptoms come on when I've haven't been having problems at all. I'm sorry you cancelled your dental insurance. __________________ Rory and Lane now have a dog blog, Doggie Debutantes. Find us on Facebook here.

04-17-2009, 01:06 PM	#19
DreamySamantha Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 30	Best solution Dental insurance will usually only cover an occlusal guard about 25% of the time, and then only about 50% of the total price the dentist charges. This is what I suggest (being in the dental profession). Going to the dentist and having an occlusal guard made. This is a hard guard that is fitted to one of your arches with a smooth bottom. It keeps you from grinding and irritating those tendons, ligaments, and muscles that are aching. Do not use the over the counter guards that are soft as they will make the problem worse. A lab made occlusal guard usually runs $500 or more, pricey but the best solution for many people with this problem and can save you from failing teeth and surgery later on. Best of luck, try your dentist first for an exam!!! __________________ Jaxson's proud mommy!!

04-17-2009, 01:53 PM	#20
alisonJ YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Tucson, Arizona Posts: 1,840	check this out. Mouth Guards - a knol by Noshir Mehta __________________ Alison--Edith Jones's mother www.edithjonesproject.com

04-20-2009, 11:03 AM	#21
celstu1 Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 10,534	You all have been so helpful! I was really nervous on friday with the pain I was in. Can you believe by friday night I realized it was almost gone and by saturday morning it was completely gone? No more pain, nothing! Unexplained pain, go figure! __________________ “Petting, scratching, and cuddling a dog could be as soothing to the mind and heart as deep meditation and almost as good for the soul as prayer.” ― Dean Koontz

04-20-2009, 04:38 PM	#22
MyTrixie143 Mom to 6 Beautiful Furkids Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 5,409	I am glad to hear you are feeling better!! It sure can cause a lot of pain. I had TMJ and it got to be so bad that my jaw would lock if I opened it past a certain amount. I had to have surgery and had to wear a mouth guard at night. I no longer have problems with it except on an occasion. __________________ A dog is a furry person! http://www.dogster.com/?300866 Tracey and the gang DestinyHarmonyScamperGracieLillieKiwi Hershey Peppi

04-20-2009, 06:53 PM	#23
Cares4Dogs Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: USA Posts: 975	hows the tmj thing now? I have it...I cant chew gum anymore cuz my jaw pops and OMG does it hurt. I never get the pain you describe though and I've been told by 3 dentists that i had pretty severe tmj. The knots got so bad in the joint that they had a struggle to get a needle through to numb me up. Aint it irritating that health insurance doesnt cover the dentist? Last time I checked-the mouth WAS a part of the HUMAN BODY!!!!! Plus your teeth/jaws can affect your health......I just dont get it I guess. My sister is a hygenist and says the over-the-counter guards are no good. Need a hard one-not a soft one. I dont use them, but I really should

04-22-2009, 08:09 PM	#24
wonderwoman41 No Longer a Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Owensboro, KY Posts: 130 Blog Entries: 1	I used to work for an oral surgeon for 6 years. I too have TMJ. It is brought on by stress. I grind my teeth at night and to have a guard made was over $800.00. You can have an MRI done to show how much damage you have in the jaw. There is surgery to fix this type of problem. If you problem is bad enough, you could actually lock your jaw and you could not close your mouth. Then you would have to have a close reduction done by a oral surgeon. I use moist heat when my jaw starts to flair up. The key is moist heat. You need a heating pad that allows moisture. If you cannot buy one or don't have one, then take a wash cloth and run it under water and ring it out and put it into the microwave. Heating the cloth up and putting it on your jaw. I hope this helps.