Wellness

[sugar plum]

@conIt

I've had TMJ for 20 years now and see my chiropractor who realigns my jaw which helps tremendously.

Also, make sure you sleep on a good pillow which supports your neck properly. I use a Temperpedic cervical pillow.

Lastly, I use the mouth guard pictured below and have done so for many, many years. It's adjustable, comfortable and no boiling required. I just got one on sale last week for $29.00 on Amazon. I wouldn't be without it!

Good luck!

[Effie54]

Unfortunately yes, I have. Due to early braces, tooth misalignment and nightly bruxism I went to a few dentists and Oral surgeons. I wore a splint, a mouth guard, etc. prescribed by supposedly the best of the best. However, it just made the issue worse. Finally I found a very competent dentist who sent me to an orthodontist. I'm finishing up my braces and am truly thrilled. No more headaches, jaw popping, ear fullness, etc. It's a journey most won't take, but I'm glad I did. I now have straight teeth and proper tooth alignment. 

[ellaphant]

  I had TMJ badly and could not fully open mouth. When that cleared up, I had recurring pain in the back of my head radiating from my jaw. Tried everything finally a chiropractor used cold laser therapy and it worked. Pain gone forever.

[cheriere]

@On It    Thanks for the recommendation & explaining how it works.  I'm gonna mention this to the oral surgeon when I go back.  

My left side has always been way more affected it seems. It got so bad, when I went to my neurologist they did some scans & said the trigeminal nerve could be what's causing the pain ( not the grinding) and they wanted to do some kind of procedure to kill the nerve.  

I took a pass on that for the meantime, hoping that once the dentist realigned everything it would be better.

[Pink123]

OMG..... thank you all for these tips and creating this thread.

I have had TMJ, teeth grinding on and off for years.  My dentist said I was going to grind away my teeth if it didn't stop.

Well it's been back for 3 months.  My whole neck area hurts as if I pinched a nerve, I am very dizzy, have headaches, jaw is sore, everything you all describe. Earaches, itching too.

I'm going to my periodontisrt late morning for a cleaning and need to address it to them.  I think I threw my bite off again too and she can check that. But I seem to click my teeth ok.  Cjewing food not easy either.

If I go to a maxiofacial doctor will insurance cover it?

It is indeed miserable.  I was bouncing off walls a few weeks ago the vertigo was so bad.  I kept thinking it was a sinus infection with the headaches, etc.  I think it was both when the vertigo got real bad.  

I do have sinus problems and food allergies all my life.

[wagirl]

@msgb --your story sounds like what my DD is going thru with her TMJ issues. She recently had a balloon type of a non-evasive type of  surgery to fix a very deviated septum and now is having soreness with her jaw -- she is going to her dentist today to see about it. I suggested that maybe this sinus thing she just had done, could have irritated it, but kind of got shot down with that from her--she  has fibro too and that beast can flair up any time. I will suggest that to her as well. She was told it would be a few  thousand  $$ to fix her jaw----that was years ago and not sure she checked that with her insurance at the time. 

[Zaimee]

@Pink123 

I have had TMJ for 40 years. Popped the cartilage on right side. I have had many splints over the years and wear every night.  Replace every few years as I wear them down. 
Lately, I have been feeling pain and uncomfortable. Last month, I went to an oral  surgeon and reconstructive facility. My medicare statement came and  the X-rays and consultation was covered by Medicare!!!! ( also have supplement ).have a script for TMJ therapy, new bite plate and MRI. Will schedule  that now. 

I have dental insurance but don't think TMJ is covered and limited anyway.

[Pink123]

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@Zaimee wrote:

@Pink123 

I have had TMJ for 40 years. Popped the cartilage on right side. I have had many splints over the years and wear every night.  Replace every few years as I wear them down. 
Lately, I have been feeling pain and uncomfortable. Last month, I went to an oral  surgeon and reconstructive facility. My medicare statement came and  the X-rays and consultation was covered by Medicare!!!! ( also have supplement ).have a script for TMJ therapy, new bite plate and MRI. Will schedule  that now. 

I have dental insurance but don't think TMJ is covered and limited anyway.

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Thanks for your reply @Zaimee 

Is a splint the same thing one of those teeth covers one wears at night?  the one I am about to order?

I'll have to look up popping cartilage and what that means.

I just got back from Miami to see my periodontist, which is far away now but worth the drive.  My bite seems to be connecting but it feels different to me as I'm very selective with food.

I don't have medicaire advantage.  I have supplemental plan "G" and they probably won't cover anything.  That I don't understand if it is bone or jaw related.

I think my best is to call them directly and ask about it.

(ps. my bit is still a little off IMO, I did not make a big deal about it because the last time she adjusted she ripped through a beautiful white crown which left a brown spot on the bottom.  No,

that ticked me off big time. lol.

I wonder if Fibromyalgia affects the neck and shoulders.

[Natureluvr]

Following this thread, as I have had TMJ for years. I should have gotten braces when I was younger but family didn’t have the money for them. Teeth are not overly crooked but my bite is definitely off. I sometimes have trouble eating a hamburger because it can be difficult to open my mouth wide enough.
My current dentist also told me I should be wearing a mouthguard at night. I did get one of those do it yourself molds from the drugstore and wore it regularly for a while, and then stopped.
Dentist also made the remark that I am grinding my teeth away. Fortunately, I haven’t had headaches and neck pain some have experienced but maybe I’ve just been lucky so far. Not only do I grind my teeth at night, but I clench my teeth throughout the day and try to make a conscious effort when I notice it.

[Zaimee]

@Pink123  I do not have an Advantage plan. Original Medicare and supplement Plan F. Yes a splint is a bite plate or mouth guard. It is casted to your bite. Clear and covers my top teeth. I did pay several hundred $ for it after dental insurance. Last month my dentist referred me to a oral and maxillofacial doctor (in Fort Lauderdale) . The consultation, exam, and panoramic x ray were paid for by Medicare. I have to go back to be fitted for a new mouth guard.

@Natureluvr  My dentist made the mouth guard. You might want to find someone who specializes in TMJ. And, yes, the first dentist I went to I said my problem was I couldn't eat a BigMac!!!!