I need help with my Jaw TMJ?!
Question: I need help with my Jaw TMJ?
But my left hand side of jaw is a bit stiff.
I open mouth all the way and it doesn't hurt, sometimes grinds. And sometimes stiff, I can feel the muscle by the joint further out than the other side.
I grind my teeth at night =/
Could this be TMJ ? As I read it up this is a factor that can affect your jaw =/
Either way, any help until I go dentist? "/
Answers:
Sounds exactly like TMJ just as you suspect. The only temporary fix is to take Tylenol or Ibuprofen as needed until you see the dentist. If you are grinding your teeth while you are awake avoid doing that. While you are asleep is pretty much impossible.To help it more long term the dentist will recommend that you use an appliance like a mouth guard to prevent the grinding which is the cause of TMJ and will help a lot. If he/she wants to make you a mouth guard type appliance at great cost I recommend that you go to the drug story and get a moldable mouth guard that you can self shape (and it's easy) before you go to such expense. It should work.
RN