Is there a cure for TMJ?!
Question: my jaw on the right side has been stuck for almost a year. I went into the dentist and had xrays done on my teeth and I Had a bad cavity so they fixed that. My jaw stopped hurting and almost got un-stuck for a few months, then went back to how it was. I had braces abou 10 years ago but my orthodontist was new in the industry and REALLy messed up my teeth. They LOOK perfect but they aren't lined up correctly so my dentist and I think this is causing the problem.
At night, I sleep on my side and when I move it hurts right under my cheek bone REALLY bad and my jaw hurts... I tried using a night guard for a few months, which helped me stop grinding my teeth but the pain in my jaw never went away.
For now I cannot afford braces, so in the meantime, is there anything I can do to make my jaw more comfortable?
Answers: my jaw on the right side has been stuck for almost a year. I went into the dentist and had xrays done on my teeth and I Had a bad cavity so they fixed that. My jaw stopped hurting and almost got un-stuck for a few months, then went back to how it was. I had braces abou 10 years ago but my orthodontist was new in the industry and REALLy messed up my teeth. They LOOK perfect but they aren't lined up correctly so my dentist and I think this is causing the problem.
At night, I sleep on my side and when I move it hurts right under my cheek bone REALLY bad and my jaw hurts... I tried using a night guard for a few months, which helped me stop grinding my teeth but the pain in my jaw never went away.
For now I cannot afford braces, so in the meantime, is there anything I can do to make my jaw more comfortable?
No, there isn't a cure.
You have disks between your mandible (your jaw bone) and your Tempral bone, just like the disks in your back. When one of these disks slips, you get the clicking, the pain and the "jaw locking" TMJ is notorious for. These discs can never be put back into place, however, your body will develop a cushioning substance where they once were over time and your symtoms should improve.
What you can do? Don't sleep on that side. Don't grit, grind or clench your teeth. DO NOT chew gum or candies that require long periods of chewing before swallowing. Alternate hot and cold compresses on your jaw. Start taking Mortin regularly, during flare-ups or when bad weather or stress are headed your way. Always take Mortin with food. Your dentist may be able to fit you with a "bite plane" it is similar to a retainer. It keeps you from clenching your teeth in your sleep (which causes your jaw to pop in the first place).
you will need to go to an oral surgeon that treats TMJ or go to a dental school, there are a multitude of treatments.
by the way, TMJ is the name of the actual joint. The disorder is TMD.
This is the same thing that happened to me. I have tried everything to relieve the pain. There is a special mouth piece for tmj it is not one you can buy in the store you must go through a dentist to get it. But the problem is it is very expensive--can range from 200-500 dollars. You could try muscle relaxers at night like cyclobenzaprin or zanaflex but you do not want to take them during the day as they can cause extreme drowsiness. If you need a muscle relaxer during the day you can try skelaxin it will not make you that drowsy. Also you can try going to a message therapist that specializes in TMJ. And if you are brave you can try acupuncture however make sure you get someone skilled in TMJ or they could make things worse. I think the thing that probably helped me the most would be a combination between the muscle relaxers and messages.