Jaw pain, not TMJ pain...?!
Question:
Jaw pain, not TMJ pain...?
I was diagnosed with TMJ disorder years ago, I know first hand the pain associated with it. About 5 days ago, the left side of my jaw has been hurting so bad, so much so that I am unable to bite down all the way, in fact my entire bite is extremely off. I can barely chew food and when I do eat, I chew mostly with my front teeth. Nothing specific happened to cause this, it just started hurting the other night. I thought maybe an infection, but then I thought, wouldn't it hurt to the touch? Wouldn't I be swollen, neither of those things are occuring. What on earth can this horrible pain be from? I have a dentist appointment on Monday, I hope it's something treatable. It's very annoying! It's nothing like the pain I have with the TMJ, completely different.
Additional Details2 weeks ago
I had my wisdom teeth pulled 16 years ago...
Answers:
the pain from TMJ can vary, I suspect you are simply experiencing a new variation on the same theme. I'll bet the dentist recommends a bite guard if he hasn't done so already.