anyone have experience with tmj?

Kev

Lifer
Dec 17, 2001
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I have read that in most cases it will go away over time. Has anyone here ever had a span of say maybe 3 months or more where their jaw would pop extremely loud whenever they chew, with the jaw sometimes locking up a little bit, and then had it go away after time?

I'm getting really sick and tired of the popping and locking. It doesn't hurt, but I'm worried that it will just get worse and worse and start causing pain. And from what I've read, there is no actual proven treatment for it. :frown:
 

Insane3D

Elite Member
May 24, 2000
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Well, not that this helps you out, but I've had it for my entire life. I have a mild case, but when I open my jaw all the way, it pops out. It doesn't hurt, it never locks, and goes right back into the socket. It doesn't bother me at all and I have no pain. My dentist and doctor both told me not to worry about it, and that since I have had it so long (I'm 30) it won't get any worse.

You might want to get it checked out if it's getting locked on you though.

I just call my affliction "snake jaw". ;)
 

isekii

Lifer
Mar 16, 2001
28,578
3
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OOH~ I had this crap happen to me once. It hurt like hell. No clue how it happened, but I woke up with it.

I was able to snap it back in place tho. now everything I open my mouth, or chew on something, it makes a lil cracking noise.

 

Insane3D

Elite Member
May 24, 2000
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Originally posted by: Chunkee
very very painful

Not always. It really depends on how severe it is. I have had it all my life with not one bit of pain or locking.
 

Jzero

Lifer
Oct 10, 1999
18,834
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Originally posted by: Kev
I'm getting really sick and tired of the popping and locking.

Me too. This breakdancing thing is so stupid!

Seriously...my mom never grew out of it. It drives her nuts. She's 56.
 

Kev

Lifer
Dec 17, 2001
16,367
4
81
It doesn't really get locked, I just have to strain to pop it open all the way. It usually happens when I'm yelling a lot.
 

jadinolf

Lifer
Oct 12, 1999
20,952
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I've got it. It goes from terrible to tolerable.

My Med insurance doesn't cover it.
 

Squisher

Lifer
Aug 17, 2000
21,204
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I work with a massage therapist who swears he's cured it many times. Might be worth a try.



 

thawolfman

Lifer
Dec 9, 2001
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0
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Originally posted by: Insane3D
Well, not that this helps you out, but I've had it for my entire life. I have a mild case, but when I open my jaw all the way, it pops out. It doesn't hurt, it never locks, and goes right back into the socket. It doesn't bother me at all and I have no pain. My dentist and doctor both told me not to worry about it, and that since I have had it so long (I'm 30) it won't get any worse.

You might want to get it checked out if it's getting locked on you though.

I just call my affliction "snake jaw". ;)

Same thing for me...Although there have been a couple times when I really have to squeeze to get it to pop back into place.

Never gave me any pain or anything though~

-Ben-
 

brtspears2

Diamond Member
Nov 16, 2000
8,659
1
81
Thanks for reminding me. I've totally forgot that I could open my mouth, hear two snaps from the jawbones, undo the dislocation, and continue.
 

Kev

Lifer
Dec 17, 2001
16,367
4
81
Insane3D: How loud is the pop? Could someone sitting 10 feet away hear it?

thawolfman: how long have you had it for?
 

Insane3D

Elite Member
May 24, 2000
19,446
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No, it is totally silent. I can just feel it. It's sort of like the tendon is just stretching a bit more than normal, and letting my lower jaw pop partly out of joint. I don't think it's completely dislocating in my case.
 

kami333

Diamond Member
Dec 12, 2001
5,110
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I've had it since about 12 (10years now) and it used to not hurt, just pop. Last summer I did something to it and it's been bothering me ever since. Ibuprofin and muscle relaxants on and off, have a mouthpiece, if it gets bad I warm and massage it a bit. Had it seen by several doctors but nothing they can do.

I might have to look into a massage therapist.
 

Bryophyte

Lifer
Apr 25, 2001
13,430
13
81
I've had it since childhood. It is often the result of grinding teeth at night that wears out the joint. My jaw pops when I eat (loud enough for others to hear.) I've only had my jaw lock out of place twice. I figured out how to push it back into place (the first time, it was out for a couple days before I figured it out.) Both times I overextended my jaw when I was (oh, nevermind, you can use your imagination.) :eek:
 

Armitage

Banned
Feb 23, 2001
8,086
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Stress related isn't it?? When I was in field training a guy in my flight got washed out because of it ... I think he couldn't open his jaw at all.
 

kami333

Diamond Member
Dec 12, 2001
5,110
2
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Originally posted by: ergeorge
Stress related isn't it?? When I was in field training a guy in my flight got washed out because of it ... I think he couldn't open his jaw at all.

Can be. I think my is partly heredity (almost everyone on my dad's side has it) and the pack of salt water taffy I had one time.
 

SWScorch

Diamond Member
May 13, 2001
9,520
1
76
I have it from my braces. Been like this for ohhh, a good three years. Not as bad now, but when it started it was so bad my jaw would dislocate every time I ate and it would take me several painful minutes to pop it back into place. Now it just clicks when I chew and only occassionally actually dislocates. BTW, when my jaw pops, it's damn loud! Everyone can hear it.