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This TMJ has got me in so much AGONY. Constant tooth grinding and gnashing has lead to heavy pains in my jaw, sharp cold pains in my head, pains in my shoulder and neck and sharp prickly pains. Therefore I will have to eat soft squoshy food for I don't know how long. Besides soup and mash potatoes, milk shakes, puddings and things like that what soft foods can I eat? What else can I do about this? It's making me miserable, and the stress from not having a job and the IBS isn't helping.
Posts: 9942 | Registered: Mar 2003
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I'm sorry to hear it's giving you so much pain, Synesthesia. I too have TMJ, but except for the occasional locked-jaw and a one-time excruciating pain, I've never had any problem other than a lot of popping sounds every time I yawn.
Other possible foods that I can think of are fruit smoothies (healthier than milk shakes), soft fruit like bananas, rice, slightly overcooked vegetables, yogurt, pasta dishes, oatmeal & other hot cereals, and chili.
An anti-inflammatory pain reliever, such as Tylenol or Advil might help, or you could try heat packs (like a washcloth soaked in really hot water) to help loosen the area.
Posts: 2409 | Registered: Sep 2003
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I've been doing the washcloth thing. I'll have to learn how to make some yogurt fruit smoothies or drink those raspberry Stoneyfield farm smoothies I love so much.
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I was treated by a specialist for a while. He taught me n-stretches, which really helped. Do you do n-stretches?
Posts: 21182 | Registered: Sep 2004
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I do not know what n stretches are. I can't even open my mouth all the way. It's gotten so bad Posts: 9942 | Registered: Mar 2003
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I could only open 7.5 cm when I started doing n-stretches. That eventually increased to 14.5 cm! So it does help.
Here's what you do: after applying moist heat (heat a damp washcloth on half power in the microwave, or whatever-- just don't light it on fire, I did that once) make the "nnn" sound. As you're doing so, pay attention to where your tongue falls in your mouth. Now, gently use your tongue (still in that "nnn" position) to push your mouth open. Go as far as you can before it hurts too bad, and hold for at least 10 seconds. Apply the heat again, and repeat. Do this in sets of 20, at least 5 times a day (if you're not in a lot of pain you need not use the moist heat, it's just recommended the first few times you do it to reduce any trauma from unaccustomed stretching of the joints.)
Like I said, if you do it faithfully, it's one of the most effective things you can do! I was also given a custom tooth guard after I gnawed through two of the non-custom ones at night-- but a non-custom is better than nothing, and much cheaper. You can get them without a prescription at the drugstore for less than $10, usually.
Posts: 21182 | Registered: Sep 2004
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quote:Originally posted by breyerchic04: I don't think I could ever possibly open my mouth more than 7 cm.
They measure it differently. It counts the outside of the jaw, not just the space between your teeth or anything.
Posts: 21182 | Registered: Sep 2004
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Does anyone else just occasionally grind his/her teeth in his/her sleep? I'm not sure what to do about it....but it drives me up a wall when it does happen....I don't think it's all-out TMJ, though. I thought TMJ had a bunch more symptoms attached to it. I think mine is more tooth-grinding related to nightmares.
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I wore a nightguard for a couple of years, and when I stopped wearing it, found out that I no longer ground my teeth in my sleep. It seems that, for me, at least, wearing the nightguard caused me to break that habit.
Posts: 8355 | Registered: Apr 2003
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quote:Originally posted by Jhai: An anti-inflammatory pain reliever, such as Tylenol or Advil might help, or you could try heat packs (like a washcloth soaked in really hot water) to help loosen the area.
Just a side note: Tylenol isn't anti-inflammatory, but it does work on pain and fever. Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and Aspirin work on all three.
Jhai has great food recommendations! And I'll second ketchupqueen's recommendation of n-stretches and an over-the-counter mouthguard.
Posts: 14017 | Registered: May 2000
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I had TMJ and I was given a $200 piece of molded plastic that fit over my front teeth. It kept me from grinding my back teeth and putting presure on that area of my jaw by keeping a space between my teeth. It also put the pressure on front teeth and those corresponding muscles, which in turn relieved the pressure on my jaw. The thing is, you don't need this piece of plastic. Anything that you can comfortably hold inbetween your front teeth will give you relief. Hope this helps.
Posts: 99 | Registered: Aug 2007
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Wow, I've never heard of this yet my entire family shows a few of the traits; popping jaw when chewing or yawning, jaw thrusting when talking, singing and such, grinding teeth and massive muscle tension headaches. The funny thing is I always thought that the jaw issues were a result of other issues rather than a possible cause. I'll bring this up at a doctors visit sometime.
Posts: 686 | Registered: Sep 2001
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calaban, it tends to be circular-- the TMJ stuff causes headaches; headaches can cause clenching; clenching aggravates TMJ; etc., etc.
Posts: 21182 | Registered: Sep 2004
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I wore an appliance (all internal, no headgear) for about 5 years to cure my TMJ, mostly at night. Not fun, but it's completely fixed now. Is that not possible in your case, Syn?
Posts: 158 | Registered: Jan 2008
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I do have insurance now, but i am behind on copayments. They also won't let me see the doctor RIGHT NEAR MY HOUSE BECAUSE THEY AREN'T ON THE PLAN! It's expensive going all the way to Brockton and now my ears are starting to hurt too and this tooth.
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It counts the outside of the jaw, not just the space between your teeth or anything.
