TMJ Support Group
Temporomandibular joint disorder, or TMJ syndrome, is an acute or chronic inflammation of the temporomandibular joint, which connects the lower jaw to the skull. The disorder and resultant dysfunction can result in significant pain and impairment.
I we having some problems with my ears, doc told me i had fluid behind my ear drums and it wouldnt drain so he refered me to a ear specialist. He told me it was not not ears that were the problem but my jaw. He went to check it so i opened my mouth and he told me its the worst hes ever heard and i should be proud lol. But i was wondering if anyone had the same symptom of thinking it was an ear infection? he just told me i probably have tmj but i dont think i grind my teeth but i do eat gum excessively, could that be the cause? and is it also hereditary because my nana has it too? And i was wondering if anyone had any advice as to how to get rid of my ear pain, its the only pain i have, my jaw had zero pain. Does this sound like I have tmj?
(1) Go to youtube, search for Dr. Scott Tamura, click on the link that says "TMJ for Dummies". That video will show you the link between your teeth, your lower jaw, your jaw joints and your ears.
(2) It is VERY common for people with TMJ to go to ear doctors, because there are so many TMJ symptoms that affect the ears. I have 7 different ENT's I work with and they are one of the biggest scources of referals to my TMJ/Craniofacial Pain dental practice.
(3) People who do not grind their teeth can still have TMJ.
(4) The size of your skull/cranium and jaws are heriditary. However, that does not mean that TMJ is heriditary.
As a doctor who has treated patients with TMJ for over 15 years, (5)below is the most important advice I can give you.
(5) IMMEDIATELY STOP CHEWING GUM!!!!!
IT IS THE ABSOLUTE WORST THING YOU CAN DO AND WILL NOT ONLY TRAUMATIZE YOUR JAW JOINTS BUT SPEED UP THE RATE AT WHICH YOUR JOINTS DETERIORATE BECAUSE IT CAUSES YOUR JAW JOINT PATHOLOGY TO SPREAD AT A MUCH FASTER RATE THAN IT OTHERWISE WOULD.
You chewing gum is like a patient with lung cancer who smokes cigarrettes.
Dr. Scott Tamura