Does anyone here have TMJ?

[Bryophyte]

I do. My jaw clicks when I eat or yawn. Don't really do anything for it besides NSAIDS if it gets sore. A few times, I've gotten my jaw locked in a slightly open position (no, I'm not going to tell you what I was doing when it happened, use your imagination). First time, I couldn't close my mouth all the way for a day or two, the next time it happened, I figured out how to push it back into place.

FWIW, TMJ is often caused by the joint wearing down, and is commonly the result of grinding your teeth when you sleep. I'm quite sure that's how I got mine. Other than wear, the joint can be malformed as a birth defect.

 

[SacrosanctFiend]

Originally posted by: Bryophyte
I do. My jaw clicks when I eat or yawn. Don't really do anything for it besides NSAIDS if it gets sore. A few times, I've gotten my jaw locked in a slightly open position (no, I'm not going to tell you what I was doing when it happened, use your imagination). First time, I couldn't close my mouth all the way for a day or two, the next time it happened, I figured out how to push it back into place.

FWIW, TMJ is often caused by the joint wearing down, and is commonly the result of grinding your teeth when you sleep. I'm quite sure that's how I got mine. Other than wear, the joint can be malformed as a birth defect.

IIRC, myofascial pain dysfunction (MPD) is the most common form of TMJ, and is a stress-related disorder. Teeth grinding is merely a symptom, as is an increase in muscle tension. I could be wrong, it's been awhile since I wrote my paper on it.

 

[Rumpltzer]

Yeah, I posted here about my squeaky jaw a couple of months ago and got talked into talking to my doctor. One of my girlfriends complained a lot about me "chomping" in my sleep, and my jaw often hurts when I walk up from afternoon naps.

The doctor listened to my complaint and was like, "Why don't you talk to your dentist about this?" I had no idea. I thought dentists were about teeth... I guess they get the jaw too.

I haven't done a damn thing about it since talking to the doctor. Making another appointment is such a pain.

edit - I'm also chewing my third piece of gum of the day. MMMmmmm.... Big Red.