YMJ Dysfunction

You have my sympathy. I have had problems with locking jaw for many years following dental procedure when mouth was forced open overlong.
I was prescribed diazepam for when it happened or I go to a dentist which do help as I can’t open my mouth very wide.
Recently had arthrocentesis a kind of wash out procedure.
Get referred to a Maxillo facial consult if it continues.

It should, of course, have said TMJ dysfunction!

Many thanks for your response silverlining48. It’s horrible isn’t it. The hospital consultant recommended a soft splint to wear at night and that does help. It keeps my jaw aligned and prevents tooth grinding in my sleep. I think I probably need a new one by now but my physical impairments mean I can’t get to my dentist at the moment. I will be arranging an appointment as soon as I can, as my regular 6 month check up had to be cancelled when I was in hospital.

I have a small jaw, my lovely dentist used the child sized molds when he had to take impressions for my bridge. The nerve damage from the brain injury doesn’t help the situation. It’s easing off now and I can take another co codamol after dinner.

I had TMJ problems a number of years ago. A mouth guard from the hospital max-fac unit helped a little but what ended it almost completely was a new pillow, of all things! It somehow kept my head in a good position all night and stopped the misalignment that caused the pain. It was a memory foam one, though I don’t have one now.

Not the same, but I had severe pain in my TMJ following tooth abscess. It was horrendous and I have huge sympathy with you 😢

Currently gently massaging my jaw and havejust taken a tramadol for similar problem interestingly Ive.also had strokes although not of the bleeding sort You have my sympathy

i think it is probably worth contacting the dentist. I have had this and the dentist did help. Or ask your doctor. I am sorry you have so much pain now and hope you can get help soon.

Sorry - I just have seen that you cannot get to your dentist. Might be worth talking to them on the phone?

Diazepam is a relaxant which helps if the jaw locks.

That sounds horrible - I hope it mends soon.

I had this in my 30s. I was teaching at college when my face went sideways, and was very painful. I went to my GP that day (oh, the good old days!) and the local dentist was a personal friend and say me within half an hour. The treatment was very new then but the dentist was a world-speaker on the subject and soon sorted me out. I had to wear the moulded guard for abt a year and never looked back. He was, of course, an NHS dentist. I'm still in touch with him socially! What superb treatment we used to be able to access!

Saw me, not "say me"!

Js it the displaced floating cartilige at the top of your lower jaw? I found gentrle massage helps but for years it stopped me openiong my mouth fully.

LJ was it Massage alone which helped your mouth relax and open properly?
It would help to have hope.

A chiropractor will sort that out for you!

I'm so sorry to hear about your pain, it's miserable isn't it?

Google TMJD exercises. I've had a clicky jaw for a number of years but it got much worse, with awful pain, when I had a lot of dental work DONE. It was found to be due to the amount of time I had to have my jaw open for the treatment.

From memory, the exercises involved slowly opening my mouth until the point just before the click, as many times a day as possible. Another was to run through the alphabet but really exaggerating the mouth movements, hyper-enunciating the letters. I used to do them while driving, I did get a few funny looks, though. 😁

I had this and an osteopath sorted me out in two sessions, with acupuncture and a “shock wave” thingamajig as used for sports injuries. I also wear a mouthguard at night, and do exercises to relax the muscle that causes it.

Meant to add - sympathy for the pain

I have those exercises Daffydilly and they are good.

Thank you everyone for your responses, lots for me to think about and follow up.

S&P told a friend a shot of alcohol does the trick don’t know if it works let us know

I don’t know what S&P means Sleepy. I don’t drink alcohol so not about to test this one out for you

I have the same, wake with earache most days. Have to wear a mouth guard at night (cost over £300 NHS price)😮

That must be so painful Kari4. Mine only happens occasionally, but it’s exacerbated by a sublux shoulder and nerve damage in my face and neck. Some people find using a rolled up towel or a travel pillow for neck support helps, perhaps it would be worth trying for you?