There is a large study currently underway in four states (Florida, North Carolina, Maryland, and New York) seeking to identify the factors that are associated with TMD. If you think you might be interested in being part of this study, look for the site nearest you at www.oppera.org.
Re: Headache — Until the pain was resolved had headaches most days
Re: Wear a biteguard at night to prevent grinding teeth — I've been wearing a night guard for about six months now and have become depndant on it. Before wearing it I would wake up with a sore jaw and have had a couple chipped teeth but now if I don't wear my night guard I wake up with terrible headaches and extremley sore teeth and jaw. I just recently noticed I started wering a hole right through the night guard. It wasn't cheap and now I may have to get a new one!
T.L.. Re: Massage therapy — I went to UCLA Medical Center for my TMJ treatment. I found relief when I received my fitted splint. I wore it every night for at least a year, it was very uncomfortable but it helped.
AmandaE Re: Ibuprofen — I have taken Ibuprofen, Motrin, Mobic (Rx), Arthrotec 75 (Rx) and Flurbiprofen (Rx). Of non prescription medication, Motrin provides the best relief but upsets my stomach at the dosage needed for constant pain. Mobic upset my stomach, Arthrotec 75 made me a bit woozy and blurred my vision. I am currently taking 100 mg of Flurbiprofen every eight hours and have general relief without the nausea.
AmandaE Re: Heat or cold packs on jaw — Provides temporary relief and helps manage persistent swelling. Alternate ice and heat - minimal on the heat as it can irritate the joint. The cold can be startling and you may feel more tension, but the longer term relief is more pronounced with icing to reduce swelling and pain.
AmandaE Re: Massage therapy — I sought physical therapy to alleviate pain and tension in my jaw muscles, neck down to lower back all stemming from my TMD disorder. At first I experienced relief with muscle massage (masseter muscles - NOT inside my mouth), neck adjustments and general tension work. Over time as my condition worsened, the relief lasted only a day at most and I ceased treatment.
I do still ice and heat my jaw and neck as frequently as I can.
AmandaE Re: Wear a biteguard at night to prevent grinding teeth — I have used multiple bite guards over the course of two years to deal with my TMJ disorder. I chewed through general nightguards and graduated to an NTI occlusal guard that snapped over my top front four teeth. The guard kept my teeth from touching with a splint of sorts, effectively protecting my teeth from grinding at night. It took a little getting used to and isn't the most attractive appliance, but it serves a purpose. Unfortunately, it realigned my bite to the point where my front teeth do not touch (not the only factor as my TMD case is complex and severe). It was as if the NTI splint rotated my jaw on a hinge. This one ran me approximately 600$.
I am currently wearing a full occlusal guard that snaps on to my top teeth, made out of hard composite material with a wire reinforcement within the material. The guard allows my teeth to slide without clinching down and also protects the surface. I find that wearing it during the day relieves some pressure on my jaw joints so that I don't have to continually focus on keeping my teeth slightly apart vs my natural fully closed and touching position. This one is more expensive at $900. At the very least my teeth are protected.
arabhammerhead Re: Wear a biteguard at night to prevent grinding teeth — I have tried three different night guards, and after several hundred dollars, found all three to be worse. One was from a commercial website, and the other two were from doctors. They were quite different in their fit, from having plastic stubs that covered the molars to a perfect mould for all my upper row of teeth. Did not improve the situation and I never got used to the irritation of them.
Pari Re: Stress — Stress didn't cause mine but it always worsens it when I tighten my jaw muscles (without tooth to tooth contact or grinding)
Sister Rose Re: Age (women in early-mid 30's) — Well, it's my age group, and I hadn't heard this, but will say yes because you know... getting to be (gulp!) middle-aged!
Sister Rose Re: Worsens when dehydrated — Hmm! Hadn't ever linked the two. What have those who responded yes thought?
IowaGirl Re: Wear a biteguard at night to prevent grinding teeth — I grind so proficiently that my teeth wouls be loose in the morning after wearing a night guard. This caused more headaches.
Floyd Re: Dehydration — Definitely can bring about a stiff jaw or worsen a tight one.
Floyd Re: Age (women in early-mid 30's) — I have heard this to be a potential chronic condition for women in their early 30's (and that it is sometimes relieved or alleviated by physical changes that accompany pregnancy).
Floyd Re: Grinding teeth — Tapping my teeth (unconsciously) definitely makes it worse but I don't think caused it.
Floyd Re: Ibuprofen — Allergic to NSAIDs
Floyd Re: Aleve — allergic to NSAIDs
Floyd Re: Wear a biteguard at night to prevent grinding teeth — Consulted trusted and knowledgeable dentist who recommended this. It was custom and expensive which is the only reason I gave it three month test. It was uncomfortable from the start and the only change is made to my jaw was worse (possibly from constant dreams that I was trying to chew something, and awakening in the midst of teeth grinding/chewing very hard).
bullybabies Re: Earache — had tmj surgery in 1995 - diagnosed w/endo in 2006 - 1st i heard this being a "related condition"...........interesting
There is a large study currently underway in four states (Florida, North Carolina, Maryland, and New York) seeking to identify the factors that are associated with TMD. If you think you might be interested in being part of this study, look for the site nearest you at www.oppera.org.
Re: Headache — Until the pain was resolved had headaches most days
Re: Wear a biteguard at night to prevent grinding teeth — I've been wearing a night guard for about six months now and have become depndant on it. Before wearing it I would wake up with a sore jaw and have had a couple chipped teeth but now if I don't wear my night guard I wake up with terrible headaches and extremley sore teeth and jaw. I just recently noticed I started wering a hole right through the night guard. It wasn't cheap and now I may have to get a new one!
T.L..
Re: Massage therapy — I went to UCLA Medical Center for my TMJ treatment. I found relief when I received my fitted splint. I wore it every night for at least a year, it was very uncomfortable but it helped.
AmandaE
Re: Ibuprofen — I have taken Ibuprofen, Motrin, Mobic (Rx), Arthrotec 75 (Rx) and Flurbiprofen (Rx). Of non prescription medication, Motrin provides the best relief but upsets my stomach at the dosage needed for constant pain. Mobic upset my stomach, Arthrotec 75 made me a bit woozy and blurred my vision. I am currently taking 100 mg of Flurbiprofen every eight hours and have general relief without the nausea.
AmandaE
Re: Heat or cold packs on jaw — Provides temporary relief and helps manage persistent swelling. Alternate ice and heat - minimal on the heat as it can irritate the joint. The cold can be startling and you may feel more tension, but the longer term relief is more pronounced with icing to reduce swelling and pain.
AmandaE
Re: Massage therapy — I sought physical therapy to alleviate pain and tension in my jaw muscles, neck down to lower back all stemming from my TMD disorder. At first I experienced relief with muscle massage (masseter muscles - NOT inside my mouth), neck adjustments and general tension work. Over time as my condition worsened, the relief lasted only a day at most and I ceased treatment.
I do still ice and heat my jaw and neck as frequently as I can.
AmandaE
Re: Wear a biteguard at night to prevent grinding teeth — I have used multiple bite guards over the course of two years to deal with my TMJ disorder. I chewed through general nightguards and graduated to an NTI occlusal guard that snapped over my top front four teeth. The guard kept my teeth from touching with a splint of sorts, effectively protecting my teeth from grinding at night. It took a little getting used to and isn't the most attractive appliance, but it serves a purpose. Unfortunately, it realigned my bite to the point where my front teeth do not touch (not the only factor as my TMD case is complex and severe). It was as if the NTI splint rotated my jaw on a hinge. This one ran me approximately 600$.
I am currently wearing a full occlusal guard that snaps on to my top teeth, made out of hard composite material with a wire reinforcement within the material. The guard allows my teeth to slide without clinching down and also protects the surface. I find that wearing it during the day relieves some pressure on my jaw joints so that I don't have to continually focus on keeping my teeth slightly apart vs my natural fully closed and touching position. This one is more expensive at $900. At the very least my teeth are protected.
arabhammerhead
Re: Wear a biteguard at night to prevent grinding teeth — I have tried three different night guards, and after several hundred dollars, found all three to be worse. One was from a commercial website, and the other two were from doctors. They were quite different in their fit, from having plastic stubs that covered the molars to a perfect mould for all my upper row of teeth. Did not improve the situation and I never got used to the irritation of them.
Pari
Re: Stress — Stress didn't cause mine but it always worsens it when I tighten my jaw muscles (without tooth to tooth contact or grinding)
Sister Rose
Re: Age (women in early-mid 30's) — Well, it's my age group, and I hadn't heard this, but will say yes because you know... getting to be (gulp!) middle-aged!
Sister Rose
Re: Worsens when dehydrated — Hmm! Hadn't ever linked the two. What have those who responded yes thought?
IowaGirl
Re: Wear a biteguard at night to prevent grinding teeth — I grind so proficiently that my teeth wouls be loose in the morning after wearing a night guard. This caused more headaches.
Floyd
Re: Dehydration — Definitely can bring about a stiff jaw or worsen a tight one.
Floyd
Re: Age (women in early-mid 30's) — I have heard this to be a potential chronic condition for women in their early 30's (and that it is sometimes relieved or alleviated by physical changes that accompany pregnancy).
Floyd
Re: Grinding teeth — Tapping my teeth (unconsciously) definitely makes it worse but I don't think caused it.
Floyd
Re: Ibuprofen — Allergic to NSAIDs
Floyd
Re: Aleve — allergic to NSAIDs
Floyd
Re: Wear a biteguard at night to prevent grinding teeth — Consulted trusted and knowledgeable dentist who recommended this. It was custom and expensive which is the only reason I gave it three month test. It was uncomfortable from the start and the only change is made to my jaw was worse (possibly from constant dreams that I was trying to chew something, and awakening in the midst of teeth grinding/chewing very hard).
bullybabies
Re: Earache — had tmj surgery in 1995 - diagnosed w/endo in 2006 - 1st i heard this being a "related condition"...........interesting