Need help with TMJ
My jaw popped twice last week at the hinge by the base of the ear. The next day, I could hardly open my mouth, yawning is out of the question and a sneeze brings tears to my eyes. I googled TMJ and read up on it. Anyone had this? What can be done? I hate to go to the doctor.....
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Unfortunately,,,,Not much. My B I L had MAJOR surgery to fix his,broke his jaw, then "wired" it, then put braces on him. Took about 18Mo, altogether 0 -
Burt Reynolds had tmj. It took him years to get it fixed, and he went through about 30 doctors.
You need a GOOD doctor.0 -
My youngest daughter Olivia suffered from this disorder when she was in grade school and when her jaw would pop out you could actually hear it as it snapped back into position [V]. One of my brothers in law is a dentist so naturally he was our first contact. Here is what we did to correct Olivia's problem without surgery.
You are finished chewing gum or soft candy [say bye bye to the Gummy Bears] for at least two years. In my daughter's case this has been for the last 10 years and most likely will be for the rest of her life.
Take your thumb, place it between your teeth and close your mouth on your thumb. For the next six months the width of your thumb is as wide as you will be allowed to open your mouth. Break out the blender/food processor for liquid meals and prepared to cut any solid food into very tiny pieces and eat with as little chewing as possible. A cocktail fork works well for feeding yourself these tiny bits of food.
Sleep only on your back for the next full year.
Get a large piece of hard foam, cut a channel in it wide enough to put your head inside and then put a pillow case over it. When you go to bed put your head into this foam pillow which will keep your head locked into position.
If you are like my daughter and grind your teeth when you sleep you will need to have an appliance made which you place into your mouth to prevent the grinding. We had one made at the dentist office but a sports mouth-gaurd may work if you really don't want to go to the dentist/doctor.
Good luck.0 -
Had it most of my life. Sometimes it hurts, sometimes not, but it always pops when my mouth opens. I've learned to live with it. My dentist once told me he could cure it with a brace of some sort, but he was a money hungry monster and I didn't trust him. I've never discussed it with my "new" dentist.
It wouldn't hurt to talk to one about it, if it continues to be painful.0
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