clicking jaw.

[scottyk]

Hi recently my jaw started to click really bad EVERY time I open and close..Ive been under alot of stress and possibly grinding my teeth at night..Its not a slight crck ...Its a very firm tightness and pain till it finally makes a loud cracking sound..Its so hard to chew and really worrying me now.I know you will say get a night guard, but what if it doesnt stop cracking(clicking)?Do I need surgery?Thanks

[jst4shanell]

I had clicking in my jaw and what felt like a horrible ear infection for months before they figured out what was wrong with my.  I saw an ear nose and throat doctor who told me it was TMJ.  I didn't even know what TMJ was.  I don't grind my teeth in my sleep so I had to wear a mouth guard during the day at work.  It sucked but it was worth it.  When I stress out I clench my jaw.  I became hyper aware of clenching.  My dentist tested my joints to make sure I didn't damage them.  They made me a special mouth guard  (it was quite expensive and not covered by insurance) that I wore constantly for about 2 weeks.  The pain and jaw popping was gone in a month.  The mouthguard was very uncomfortable for a week because my muscles were tightened  in the wrong spot but they retrained easily.  Looking back, I think I would have saved the $700, and bought a mouthguard at the drug store.  It probably would have worked just as well.  It you don't get a mouthguard and keep clicking your jaw you will really mess the joint up.  I would rather spend $10 than thousands to get surgery that can cause nerve damage.  Good luck

[Killerpain]

I don't know scott.  Night guards aren't proven although some will make it sound like if you don't get one you will grind your teeth down to the gums.  Do you have a plan?  If not you can get one from the drug store that is a generic = not specifically made to fit.

You can also try adding flaxseed or Omega 3 to your diet as it is supposed to help joints and add warm compresses to the area as well as rinse with warm water now and then to see if it eases up.  Try not to pop it too much as a habit because you may wear the disc and then will come prolonged pain.

[ISOMoralEthics]

Funny how alll questions concerning jaw pain do not have replies posted. I too suffer from this. It has happend two or three times over the course of 4 years of going to a dentist to get a crown replaced, the same crown. I've had pain and swelling I was afraid I had the mumps or cancer or swollen glands. I mentiond it to my Doctor and he shrugged and said yea it could be TMJ and that was the end of his concern. Oh by the way it was as a matter of fact soon after my first Root Canal that this has happend. So now my question is. Who in the world opened the flood gates of Ordinary Dentist , Not Surgen Dentist , to be alllowed to perform Root Canals and charge a poor working girl with out insurance $1,500.00 for one tooth. When an insurance company would not offer to pay the Doctor that much for the procedure. You see, the scams are out there and with our Governments blessing.