jaw pain

Question

Just wondering, if anyone else has sudden jaw pain? Like a really bad toothache but the pain is on the whole left side of my jaw, top and bottom. This has happened 2 or 3 times in the past week and will last several hours along with pain going down my neck and behind my ear. If it is a bad tooth im really scared to go to dentist because I had to have 2 jaw teeth pulled about 6 months ago because they were so bad granted, I have never had bad teeth before, anyway, getting those pulled were excrutiating and I was in pain for 3 months in my neck and jaw. I did not know at the time that I had chiari or I might have not had them pulled. I was only diagnosed about a month ago with a 20mm extension. Fixing to start PT and on pain meds, valium, and steroids. the steroids seem to be helping quite a bit...at least the headaches and neck pain is much better. I guess my question is...could this be from the CM  or just a bad tooth?? Any comments would be appreciated.....Hope everyone had a peaceful and pain free christmas..

linnielou232 · Answer

I know it all depend's on the dentist, but our ins covered my mouth piece for me.  They can get pretty pricey.  Ask about this while there for your visit.  I actually wore mine down and I don't have 300.00 to replace it.  You can to to the store and get a mouth guard which work's about the same.  My husband tell's me some times I grind so bad it sound's like I'm sawing wood. LOL....It can be very painful.  I know going through all the surgeries I had this past yr and half has put some damage to my teeth.  When you don't feel good it is hard to take care of other issues.  My jaw doesn't tighten up during the day.  Just at night.  My DD grind's her's during the day.  I suggest you go to a local store and try one of there mouth guard's.  They do help and they are less than 20.....Hope this help's.

Sheri817 · Answer

Thanks for all the comments and suggestions. The pain has worsened so I guess I will be heading to the dentist tom. but I will be sure to inform him of my condition. When I got my husband to look in my mouth, he can see a broken tooth and part of a filling that has come out. So, maybe it is just my teeth but I think I will ask for a temp filling until I fig everything else out.  Thanks again for all of your inputs! I am soooo glad that I found this site. It really helps to have someone to talk to that is going thru alot of the same things..

Rylanesmom · Answer

I also have jaw pain.  I have never been diagnosed with TMJ but I do have Ehlers Danlos Syndrome.

drewlevas · Answer

I experience a lot of Maxilo facial pain! It usualy starts suddently and can last up to a two day. I also when to a dentist and he told me that beside acidity damage on my theeth they should not give me any pain! What exactly is TMJ? My jaw sometime click when I eat and my ears hurt a lot!

linnielou232 · Answer

Through my journey through getting dx'd with Chairi I did get dx'd with TMJ. I think there are a lot of us that have this issue. I some times get a raw feeling in the roof of my mouth. I was told that it could have something to do with nerve damage. So keep an eye on it and adress it to your Dr. on your next visiti. I know how painful it is to have your mouth hurt. I went to my dentist at least 3 times through all my issues and it never had any thing to do with the teeth. Wish you the best in getting the answer's you need.

dustybrown · Answer

The question is, what condition is your teeth in? Do you need crowns for any of your teeth? Do you need root canals? If your answer is no. You say you have good teeth, then does your jaw click when you bite or chew? You may have TMJ, which can cause nasty jaw pain. I have it.

Muscle relaxers are usually the best treatment and massage of the jaw muscles outside of the jaw under your ears. Also, place your tongue at the bottom of your mouth flat. Try to pin the tip of your tongue to your bottom teeth. Then try to open your mouth straight without your jaw popping out of place. Many times if you have TMJ, your jaw joint will fall out of socket. This exercise will help your muscles to strengthen the correct placement of it. Untreated TMJ will cause all sorts of ungodly pain, neck pain and even shoulder pain and migraines.

There is also a dental contraption you can have fitted and wear to bed. It's like a retainer. It prevents teeth grinding. I wore one for 6 months. It didn't really help. My guess is that I don't grind my teeth, but the dentist swear that is the cause. I think they just want to sell the $500 retainer. It is usually not covered by insurance...food for thought. However, that was 10 years ago, perhaps the price has gone down. Good luck.
_Dusty

bookworm79 · Answer

I can't speak for everyone else but I do have jaw pain.  It's my left side mostly and I get constant ear aches from it too.  I believe it's from clenching for me.  So my jaw is always very stiff too.  In the mornings are the worst.  I had to get a mouth guard.  I've not had surgery either so if you had maybe others can chime in and let you know if they had this issue after surgery.