suggestions for TMJ

[diane_1]

Hi everyone:
Just needed some advice. Over the summer I went to the dentist because I was clamping my teeth together, so he gave me one of those things you put in your mother to wear at night. I hate the thing but I try to use it.
But then my throat was bothering me so I went to the doctor
thinking I had an infection and guess what no infection he said I was either grinding my teeth or pushing my tongue back in my mouth. He said to take advil which I have been but I do not think it helps anymore. I have not been clamping my mouth but I do think I am pushing back with my tongue and I don't now how to stop. I went from grinding my teeth to this and the pushing back the tongue bothers me more I feel like I am always doing it.
If anyone as any advice I would appreeciate it.
Thanks Diane

 

[kristina]

I have TMJ and sometimes it is so bad I can't eat from the pain.
All advil does is ease the resulting swelling in the surrounding tissues. The clamping/grinding can end up causing fluid retention in the neck and throat.
I hate to tell you this, but the best prevention to pain is the night guard you have. I know it stinks. My insurance doesn't cover TMJ, so I am currently saving up for the device myself. I have a temporary thingie that isn't too good but it helps.
My allergist thinks TMJ is related to allergies. I do find that my TMJ tends to flare up concurrent with my allergy symptoms. It's a real bear, no easy fix. Maybe someone else will post with a great thing that will help us both!

 

[Nancy C]

Second opinion and possible new appliance

Hi Diane,

I can't help you with the tongue issue but in case you are still grinding at night, I'll just add that I've had several appliances over the years myself and not all are the same. They can vary in the materials used to make them (rubbery or hard acrylic), how they cover the teeth and which arch you wear it on. I have finally found one that fits and works well for me but it took a few tries.

I also work in a dental office and there is a small percentage of folks that have difficulty getting used to a night guard..but before you rule an appliance out completely..have a second opinion or ask your Dentist about a different style...that's where the second opinion may come in handy...some Dentist may just use one lab and one style..but that shouldn't limit you to a choice.
Possibly having an appliance that you can live with could lead to fixing the tongue problem...the space the appliance makes could adjust your jaw so your tongue doesn't want to do that anymore..or it could have helped make you tongue do that..or be completely unrelated...the best thing is to talk to your Doctor about it. Good luck and I hope you find one that fits..they can work wonders and reslove ailments you didn't even know were associated with grinding.
Don't give up

http://members.aol.com/_ht_a/naconfer/images/winterchickvfnutgif.jpg

 

[JULIER]

I have been plagued by TMJ for 20 years. Did the whole night guard thing too. Didn't work well for me either. However, a couple of years ago I went to Price Club/Costo and bought one of those combo heating/ice pads that you can put either in the freezer or the microwave. I don't remember the name but the outside is a green cloth material. I put it in the microwave and hold against the jawline and especially the opening/closing joint areas. The heat does an awesome job of "melting" the tension and swelling in that joint area so you can at least get some sleep. It's more of an instant relief thing for me over the night guard which over time is supposed to do some good but in the meantime the pain is too much.