TMJ and Jaw Problems – anyone else?

Still suffering from it here!

Mine was far worse back in 2012 when I made this thread. I suspect because I had just moved to Australia and the stress of starting a new life was just aggravating the symptoms.

What has been easing my symptoms a little bit is actually yoga… focused on hips and back. I never really realized how much your hips affect your back’s health, and how much your back posture affects your neck and jaw directly. Working on a healthier, more relaxed posture through yoga has lessened the severity of my TMJD, although I don’t think it will ever really fully go away.

You poor things. I had to google TMJ.

Hi everyone, I know this thread is from a while back. Does anyone suffer with TMJ? My orthodontist recently recommended retainers for treatment since I previously had braces. Will love to hear your experiences.

I have a plate-like retainer and don’t have an option to clench my jaw because it won’t allow for me to properly bite down – if that makes sense!

What does ‘clicking’ mean? Like when you move your open or chew and your jaw kind of realigns a bit? I don’t know how to describe that! because that happens to me when I chew or move my mouth sometimes!

Hi Alice, I’m the same as you. Ever since I had my wisdom teeth out quite a few years ago my jaw has clicked. But in about the last 6 months I have been waking with headaches and a sore jaw. I went to the dentist and I am grinding my teeth and clenching my jaw during the night. Might have to get a specialised mouthguard to sleep with ($$$) but first the dentist suggested I take a muscle relaxant at night to see if it makes a difference. Been doing that the last 3 nights and I am already feeling better. It’s not too good to take long term but if I can take it for a week or so there’s a chance it might just break the cycle. Much cheaper option than the splint straight out. Plus I’ve always hated any sort of mouth guard so would hate to spend the money on it and spit it out during the night…

So I have this and dude, it’s kind of a pain in the ass. Do any of you get headaches? Like, all the time? I’ve had constant headaches in the mornings (and often during the day or evening) for the past two years and have been thinking it’s a sleep thing (aka my lack thereof) but since I haven’t been getting better at going to bed earlier and the headaches were still there, I thought it was a sleep thing. And then I went to the dentist a fortnight ago…

I’m just glad to know the actual cause of my headaches and am hoping they’ll go away permanently! I don’t actually have very many problems with my jaw hurting or not being able to open my mouth or anything, so I count myself lucky. But it does kind of hurt a bit when I yawn now, so it’s getting worse. Hopefully my dentist will have a good solution instead of a mouthguard… cos I already have a retainer for my teeth. Can’t wear ’em both at once!

I have the jaw popping as well. I’m in the process of having a mouth splint made up to wear at night. The dentist puts mine down to stress (as do I). I know when I’m stressed I clench my jaw and I do it in my sleep too. The dentist told me that a good way to try and break the habit is to stick your tongue on the roof of your mouth every time you feel yourself going to pop it. I find it has made a difference with me.

That is a really good tip!! See I have been told to “put my tongue up against the roof of my mouth” and “not to click on purpose” but I never actually realized that replacing one with the other would be a good idea :-p

I clench as well – I used to grind as a teen but I don’t anymore… if I did it would have woken my man up at some point (he is a light sleeper and hates the sound – my niece does it) and I do notice I have been clenching awake, so let alone in my sleep.

My dad actually has a mild case of TMJ, too. I’m fairly sure it’s genetic for me, too. A combination of physiology (weakest link/joint) and sensitivity to stress. My dad and I are both quite sensitive to stress and influences around us stress-wise so I’m fairly sure that’s part of it, too… it’s why we both respond to holistic healing quite well.

Guys try an even softer diet – it’s gonna be hella frustrating but it CAN help you. Even if it is mainly your joint that is having problems, the muscles always play into it. Your joint moves just a little bit and your jaw muscles suddenly have to move completely differently, the muscle gets stiff, irritated, swells, pulling the joint even more. Try to give the muscle as much time off as you can. When my TMJ hit me hard again last April I swear I went straight into hibernation and soft diet.

I took 3 days “off from life” – yes, 3 days in bed to force my body to relax and give my reflexes a break. To stop the muscle spasms I went to an amazing Bowen therapist a few times over the course of a month – and at night I took Mesyndol (sp?) which relaxes the muscles and forces you to calm down. The thing is once you become aware of your jaw not being right you start tensing it up – as soon as you feel it you tense up, as soon as you know you’re gonna have to chew you tense up, with talking you tense it more. I had to force my whole body to calm the hell down because I was just in a cycle of pain-cramping up-worse pain.

Then the “liquid diet” – protein shakes, jelly (in all possible flavors), soups – not just SOFT but literally NON CHEWING food. Even with noodles and such you still find yourself chewing a little. I did not chew at all. Smoothies work, too. Try to stay healthy, too. Vitamins – lots of Magnesium as that helps your joints and your muscles to relax.

Also hot and cold compresses… whatever works for you, you just have to try.

Back when my TMJ started and I’d wake up with a “misplaced” (not dislocated but not right either) jaw I would sleep on THAT side of my face to “push it back” but now that doesn’t work anymore and I CAN’T sleep on the clicky side or it gets worse. You have to try and see what works. You can try different pillows, too – harder, softer, feather, foam, etc.

I think that must be really true NellAdams. I know me and my brothers get a fair bit of stress (among other mental and physical issues).
I think my mum and dad in combination do not make good kids 🙁

I have the jaw popping as well. I’m in the process of having a mouth splint made up to wear at night. The dentist puts mine down to stress (as do I). I know when I’m stressed I clench my jaw and I do it in my sleep too. The dentist told me that a good way to try and break the habit is to stick your tongue on the roof of your mouth every time you feel yourself going to pop it. I find it has made a difference with me.

My dad actually has a mild case of TMJ, too. I’m fairly sure it’s genetic for me, too. A combination of physiology (weakest link/joint) and sensitivity to stress. My dad and I are both quite sensitive to stress and influences around us stress-wise so I’m fairly sure that’s part of it, too… it’s why we both respond to holistic healing quite well.

Guys try an even softer diet – it’s gonna be hella frustrating but it CAN help you. Even if it is mainly your joint that is having problems, the muscles always play into it. Your joint moves just a little bit and your jaw muscles suddenly have to move completely differently, the muscle gets stiff, irritated, swells, pulling the joint even more. Try to give the muscle as much time off as you can. When my TMJ hit me hard again last April I swear I went straight into hibernation and soft diet.

I took 3 days “off from life” – yes, 3 days in bed to force my body to relax and give my reflexes a break. To stop the muscle spasms I went to an amazing Bowen therapist a few times over the course of a month – and at night I took Mesyndol (sp?) which relaxes the muscles and forces you to calm down. The thing is once you become aware of your jaw not being right you start tensing it up – as soon as you feel it you tense up, as soon as you know you’re gonna have to chew you tense up, with talking you tense it more. I had to force my whole body to calm the hell down because I was just in a cycle of pain-cramping up-worse pain.

Then the “liquid diet” – protein shakes, jelly (in all possible flavors), soups – not just SOFT but literally NON CHEWING food. Even with noodles and such you still find yourself chewing a little. I did not chew at all. Smoothies work, too. Try to stay healthy, too. Vitamins – lots of Magnesium as that helps your joints and your muscles to relax.

Also hot and cold compresses… whatever works for you, you just have to try.

Back when my TMJ started and I’d wake up with a “misplaced” (not dislocated but not right either) jaw I would sleep on THAT side of my face to “push it back” but now that doesn’t work anymore and I CAN’T sleep on the clicky side or it gets worse. You have to try and see what works. You can try different pillows, too – harder, softer, feather, foam, etc.