TMJ Flare Up

[ifsogirl]

I have had TMJ since I was 11 or so and had a night guard made when I was 13.  The night guard did give some relief but my parents medical would only pay for one per life-time and so I couldn't get another when I got older and outgrew it.  I have not had alot of pain since then but two weeks ago I had some dental work done.  A root canal and two fillings done at the same time.  I was in the chair for about 2 hours.  Since then I've had terrible pain and have been downing Tylenol and Advil like crazy.  I unfortunatally used up all my dental coverage, even have to wait until January for the crown, so I can't even go get a new night guard.  Is there anything I can do to help with the pain besides drugs?  I find that I get it when I eat and when I've been clenching my teeth more than usual, which would mean all the time.  I get terrible pain in the muscles around my jawline everyday now.  It will run down my neck and into my shoulder, invariably causing migranes.   Please help, I have to wait 6 months for relief.  Then I don't even know if I will be able to get the crown and the night guard.

[Gennipher]

Dental visits suck when you have TMJ. My dentist always does my work in small sessions because he knows how painful it is to keep my mouth open for a long time. Even with small sessions he has to give me pain killers to take home.

Your situation *****. All I can suggest is avoid chewy foods and apply heat & cold to your jaw throughout the day. It probably won't take the pain away but it will help make things a little better. I have to do this often because my jaw is frequently sore. :( I wish there was more that could be done but as far as I know there isn't.

Good luck!

[SurgiMenopause]

Regarding the pain medication, when I went to a maxillofacial specialist when I could hardly open my mouth, ibuprofen, not tylenol, was what he said would help, and only if I took it faithfully, cyclically for so many weeks (check w/your doctor for what's right for you).  You might try massage and see if you can find a physical therapist who specializes in TMJ dysfunction.  I found acupuncture helped some if they put the needles in the jaw joint point, but if they put the needles up in a TMJ point in my head, it could give me a nasty migraine.