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.
Hi,
I am new to this group and to tmj problems. In the past, I had some very minor jaw discomfort, but recently starting having terrible pain and soreness. I went to a dentist who took x-rays. From grinding my teeth over the years, I have worn down/flattened the jaw/bone.
The dentist told me to do some light stretching before bed to avoid grinding in my sleep, and to sleep on my back. A few days after I saw him, the pain worsened. He prescribed a muscle relaxer and wants to take a mold for a bite guard.
I have been in bad pain for over a week now and it's been a few weeks since I started having the pain. I can't eat any solid food (even eating rice hurts).
What specialist (doctor or dentist) should I go to next? What else can I do, other than putting a warm compress, which the dentist recommended?
Please help--I see no end in sight and it's getting very difficult to function. Thank you.
I am new to this group and to tmj problems. In the past, I had some very minor jaw discomfort, but recently starting having terrible pain and soreness. I went to a dentist who took x-rays. From grinding my teeth over the years, I have worn down/flattened the jaw/bone.
The dentist told me to do some light stretching before bed to avoid grinding in my sleep, and to sleep on my back. A few days after I saw him, the pain worsened. He prescribed a muscle relaxer and wants to take a mold for a bite guard.
I have been in bad pain for over a week now and it's been a few weeks since I started having the pain. I can't eat any solid food (even eating rice hurts).
What specialist (doctor or dentist) should I go to next? What else can I do, other than putting a warm compress, which the dentist recommended?
Please help--I see no end in sight and it's getting very difficult to function. Thank you.
This one is self care-hopefully it can give you some new ideas to help you. http://www.tmjhope.org/self-care/
This article is all about grinding/clenching and some ideas to help that. http://www.tmjhope.org/grindingclenching-tips-2/
And here is an article about finding a doctor or dentist to go see.
http://www.tmjhope.org/tmj-treatment/choosing-tmj-dentist/