Oh, That Jaw Pain
One of the things I frequently see mentioned on my Anxiety/Panic board are questions from people who are experiencing jaw pain. The main concern, of course, is that jaw pain has been one of the warning signs of heart attack and it certainly is a concern.
I recently ran across an interesting article on the relationship between severe jaw pain and stress and it indicated that women appeared to be prominent in the 10 million Americans who suffer from TMJ Syndrome. The symptoms of this pain include muscle jaw tenderness, difficulty opening the mouth, a jaw that locks, and clicking or popping sounds from the jaw when opening and closing the mouth. Some dentists have referred to this problem as TMJ subluxation and it may run in families.
The article I saw referred to research out of the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine where they found that, while TMJ isn't new, it's still poorly understood, but one thing stood out. One of the researchers indicated that TMJ is often associated with depression, anxiety, sleep disturbances, GI problems and frequent infection. If infection is involved, my immediate thought was that there's an immune system relationship and we know that stress is a culprit here. Sure enough, the researchers thought this, too, and as they enroll patients into their studies, they are looking at behavioral interventions to help patients become more aware of such things as clenching their teeth or biting on pens or pencils.
One of the interests facts about the study is that they're looking at people who have had a variety of treatments for TMJ before, so what this is then is a study of people who have "failed" other experimental interventions. This is a good idea, to my mind, because it means that even though other interventions didn't work for you, there are still things that need to be explored and which may help you with TMJ.
Related Links: WebMD Video: Too Scared, Coping with Anxiety
Technorati Tags: TMJ, Temporomandibular, Anxiety, Depression
I recently ran across an interesting article on the relationship between severe jaw pain and stress and it indicated that women appeared to be prominent in the 10 million Americans who suffer from TMJ Syndrome. The symptoms of this pain include muscle jaw tenderness, difficulty opening the mouth, a jaw that locks, and clicking or popping sounds from the jaw when opening and closing the mouth. Some dentists have referred to this problem as TMJ subluxation and it may run in families.
The article I saw referred to research out of the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine where they found that, while TMJ isn't new, it's still poorly understood, but one thing stood out. One of the researchers indicated that TMJ is often associated with depression, anxiety, sleep disturbances, GI problems and frequent infection. If infection is involved, my immediate thought was that there's an immune system relationship and we know that stress is a culprit here. Sure enough, the researchers thought this, too, and as they enroll patients into their studies, they are looking at behavioral interventions to help patients become more aware of such things as clenching their teeth or biting on pens or pencils.
One of the interests facts about the study is that they're looking at people who have had a variety of treatments for TMJ before, so what this is then is a study of people who have "failed" other experimental interventions. This is a good idea, to my mind, because it means that even though other interventions didn't work for you, there are still things that need to be explored and which may help you with TMJ.
Related Links: WebMD Video: Too Scared, Coping with Anxiety
Technorati Tags: TMJ, Temporomandibular, Anxiety, Depression
124 Comments:
i am not sure if the jaw pain comes from the heart related symptoms I have I do have narrowing of the right and left artery and the pain I have feels like it comes from the gum bone on the left side of my jaw and the pain comes and goes pain killers did not take it away for a very long time and I thought that I had a tooth absess but I have been on anitbotic for 5 days and it still hurts my jaw my ear under my jaw and neck hurt but at certin times only could you think it would be related to my heart?
I have been having jaw pain also. Sometimes so severe that it wakes me up at night. Pain killers help only for a short time. When the pain killer runs out the pain is back. I have several people tell me that it was sinus. I have taken Benydril that helps some but like the pain killer the pain returns in about 2-3 hours. Goody powder has worked better than anything with keeping the pain away for longest amount of time and I don't feel druged.
The pain in my jaw is constant. I wear dentures but not to sleep. Had a CT Scan but the Dr. said it was normal. He seems to think it's TMJ. I've been treated for sinusitus and ear infection which hasn't helped. Pain medication is only temporary relief. At wit's end as to what to do. Dentist said there are several levels of TMJ and could cost from $1,000 to $5,000 for treatment. Dentist doesn't accept any form of ins. What could possibly help?
I have had ear and jaw pain for 5 months now. Sometimes my neck is involved but not all the time. It comes and goes but my main pain is in the ear. I feel like I have a severe earache. I had a MRI done but they found no abnormalities of my jaw, even though it pops constantly, and no signs of arthritis. There is heart problems in my family and I have high cholestoral and high tryglicerides which I am presently taking Lipitor 10 mg/1 per day. I am wearing myself out from lack of sleep because I can't sleep on either side of my face because of my jaw. Have any advice???
Anonymous
Ok i woke up normal and all of a sudden i opened my jaw and there was a horrible pop!! then i could only open it about 1 inch and im terrified what should i do?
im only 16 years old, is it possible that i have TMJ? For about the past few years when i would chew gum or eat my jaw would pop and within the past few weeks my jaw will lock up sometimes, and i will only be able to open it up about 1 inch or 2. Its soo painful. What should I do?
I have had jaw pain for the last three weeks followed by bad headaches and my gums and teeth hurting and throbbing so bad it makes me sick to my stomach.My D.R.perscribed anti inflamatory med and pain releivers.Ithought it was my sinus until i went to the D.R.The pain medicine only helped maybe almost 2 hours.I have noticied after eating the pain is more severe on my gums and teeth and on the temples of the right side of my face also under the cheek bone the whole side of my face feels swelled up and just throbes away.Its driving me crazy in scared to eat so i will not have the pain.
I too have had Jaw pain into my left side of my temple, teeth pain,headache, it used to wake me up at night and the pain was so severe, I cried each night. Went to my dentist he said nothing was wrong with my teeth, I went to my family Doctor, and he knew right away what it was. He put me on tegretol medication and I haven't had pain since. Everyone here aught to check out Ticdelarou, Prounouncd tic-da-la-roo, and see if your symptems match that, then see your faimily Doctor.
I'm 20 years old and my jaw has been popping for some odd years now. The first time my jaw locked up was about when I was about 12 or thirteen. From then on the popping only got worse or should I say louder. I don't really experiance severe pain that often, honestly I'd say it happens quite rarely. I sometimes experiance minor pains every now and then. But my main issues is that the popping is beginning to annoy me. My father told me that his did the same when he was younger and eventually stopped. One of my friends told me her mother experianced the same thing and has surgery to move the cartliage back into place. I was wondering if it will ever stop like my father say s his did or will I need surgery to correct it.
I think I developed TMJ when I had braces put on at age 11. I never had any popping or clicking until literally the day I had brand new braces I tried to eat a piece of toast and my jaw would not open! I was so scared but my mom simply said "You probably have TMJ..... I have it too..." From that point on I never even worried about it or even cared because my mom didnt tell me it would cause problems for me in the long run. Now I am just shy of 26 and for the past 3 nights I have had to cry myself to sleep in such severe pain! My boyfriend did not believe me when i told him my whole mouth hurts! He said "maybe its your wisdom teeth?" but i went to the dentist and he said it was from TMJ. The light in my head turned on "Oh yea, my mom has that..." I wish to GOD that i had taken care of my TMJ situation from the start because nothing I do stops the pain. The pain is UNREAL. Headaches every day, cant brush my teeth, cant drink cold water, my ears hurt when I lay down, cant even eat anything cold or too chewy,my gums hurt so bad that i have to massage them, and last night it felt like my lower jaw on both sides were on fire! I seriously cried myself to sleep the past 3 nights in a row. Not even menstrual cramps have caused me this much agony. The dentist said to take IBPROFEN and to put a heat pad on my jaw at night. That doesnt even help! I need some friggin Vikes or something! Someone please help me, this pain is so bad I have never ever had this much pain in my entire 25 years on this planet! TMJ totally sucks!
i've been only suffering for 2 to 3 weeks. mastering the art of ibuprofen and tylenol back to back. appreciate the discussions, and shared tips on this link. im going into see the doc and will ask about the drug mentioned. I prev have had therapy for it but didnt take it seriously. Well its back and in full form. thanks for sharing all.
Im not sure that my jaw pain is heart related beacause the last time I went to the dr(about 4 months ago) my heart was good and my cholestrol was really good(about 140 something). I am diabetic and I take my insulin and I try to watch my sugar and carbs(but I love bread!!)I take care of my teeth and I dont have any cavaties. Thing is, I used to be "able" to pop my jaw whenever i yawned or moved my jaw a particular way. That has stopped. Now, it doesnt do that anymore, but I now have discomfort on the side that I used to pop and chewing is a chore. I was wondering if it was because of all the popping of the jaw I was doing. I read on here about sleep problems and depression(which I have had) so maybe it has to do with that, but I dont know. HELP PLEASE!
I'm 17 and I started getting problems with my jaw about 7 months ago.
The first time I just woke up and I couldn't open my mouth I got so freaked out. After trying for ages eventually after a lot of pain it clicked and opened properly but then as soon as I closed it I couldn't open it again. It was so painful but then after a few hours it was gone. The next time I got it it lasted all day and I couldn't eat because it was so sore.
Then the next time I got it, it didn't go away. It stopped hurting so much it clicks everytime I open my jaw and if I open it properly too often it gets a bit sore. It's annoying like hell though! I just want it to go away!
I hope I don't have it for years like other people! o_o
Is there not naything that can be done to stop it other than surgery? I've never had surgery and the thought of it freaks me out.
It started just after my dentist put tonnes of stuff on the back of one of my front teeth to keep the cap on it (it got chipped when I was a kid and the cap falls of liek every few months). Thing is sinse she put that on the cap hasn't fallen off once. I really want rid of this horrible jaw clicky thing though!!
I have had left jaw and in front of my left ear pain for 3 years, I also have dry mouth on that side and secretions, sometimes a metallic taste, i've had my left tonsil removed, 3 root canals on that side pulled, MRI CT sialagram, and nothing I've been to 2 ENT nothing, my left temple also hurts at times but nothing helps! Although my endodonitics dentist said I could take up tp 18 advil a day. Any help out there? What is wrong with us! Also sometimes my left eye feels like someone is pulling it from the back of my head!!!!
A previous comment said the writer needed "vikes" (Vicodin) I presume. I am on Vicodin for a severe hip/knee problem. Doesn't touch the TMJ pain in my ear, up the side of my face and in the joint and at the base of my skull all on the right side. My daughter and all her daughters (4) have this. The only relief I am getting is a hand held massager on the affected parts and often if I'm in the house, I wear a scarf over my head to keep all draft out. I live in FL and have constant air conditioning. Strangely, when I talk to the pain and command it to leave, it usually will for a while. None of these "cures" cost money, so, I gues I'll continue! :-)
I am 25 years old and have been having jaw pain for a week now. It is difficult to open my mouth and it gives me a pounding headache. At first, I thought that it could be sinuses; however, I have no other signs of sinus infections and I feel fine otherwise. I get frequent sinus infections and have generalized anxiety disorder with some depression. I tend to grind my teeth at night sometimes as well, but when I do that I wake up with sore teeth (if that makes sense) and a headache. This, however, is just the jaw that is bothering ad I'm wondering if I should be concerned...any information?
I totally understand what all of you are going through. Ive lived it for 6 years now. I am finally doing much better with managing it. It breaks my heart to see those of you in the desperate phases and not getting releif or answers. Its a balancing act of remaining relaxed and not tense and massage/stretch and strengthening. Dont just listen when the docs say dont eat anything hard. You need limit but also slowly strengthen the muscles will just get weaker and more sensitive. Vicodin was the only thing that would help after 6 years of skelaxin (great but nausea) ibuprofen and limiting. I think too much computer use (limiting neck movement)and weak neck (strengthen with weights at gym)makes spasms worse. A steak once in while helps build the strength. When this jaw pain first came on..I couldnt eat a banana without jaw pain. I was on puree diet. Get to the gym and dont sit for hours at at time and stretch the neck everyday 6 times for 6 seconds. Its the only thing that got my mouth openning back to normal...and acupuncture was the only other thing to help... Try not to worry and work so hard...the stress and pressure we put on ourselves goes right to the neck shoulders and jaw...Its what keeps us glued to our computers causing tension and underuse. I am having jaw surgery cause I have a bad bite and jaw joint relationship--malocclusion. But not everyone with tmj is caused by jaw bone relationship. Some grind at night. This is my second time with braces and I was told the first time I had tmj but since I wasnt in pain I didnt need to worry about it....I should have gotten the jaw surgery back then. Because they wont do surgery when your joint is already inflamed, spasming and painful. My dentist told me it was my wisdom teeth and I had those out but the procedure was very painful and long recovery and jaw pain returned a year later. I saw an oral surgeon then, 6years ago and only now am finally allowed to schedule surgery. Dont put treatment off it only makes things worse. I wish there was someway I could help anyone going through what Ive been through. I remember when I couldnt talk and had to hide away in bed with lights off and ear plugs because of the migraines and ringing ears... Thinking positive now so that we can find the answers and not let the pain and frustration make our symptoms worse.
Hello Everyone! I had all of the afore mentioned issues with my jaw, ear pain, neck pain...went through antibiotics, EENT, etc etc, noone knew what was wrong. Then, I went to a CHIROPRACTOR, and she got RID OF IT!! She took xrays, found the source of my problem,adjusted my TMJ and my neck and it ALL WENT AWAY!! I am a patient for life:) And I've never felt better!
Ive got it, not to terribly much you can do to fix it long term, other then dont let your self get over stressed, keep your muscles in your kneck loose, muscle relaxers work, i try not to take to many drugs tho, over the counter or prescript, as they all have long term negetive effects of the body, About the best thing i can say is get useto it, it sucks and i feel really horrible about saying that but, eventaully youll get useto it and learn to adapt. For those smokers like myself, its even worse for us, as when you take a puff you tence your muscles in your face every drag, it really doesnt make things better lol quite smoking if its just beginning and save your self alot of pain, and money on a nasty addiction.Same goes for drinking anything through a straw, same principal with the sucking. If you all find something to sooth the pain or help with the locking of the jaw please pass it on
Best of luck~ Chris From Iowa
Im 16. I have most of what these comments say. My jaw is stuck, i haven't been able to open it fully for a few weeks. when i stick my tongue out, there is only about 2 cm room. I get instant headaches, and my eye sometimes hurts from the inside. My back teeth ache and it hurts to chew. Before it locked up, i was able to click it whenever. It says to do home treatment for a few weeks, but what treatment? it doesn't say what to do!
i have been having this issue for about a week now. it use to come in the night and usually go away but this time it lasted a day and then two and now it has been about a week and it is crazy aggravating!!!!!
you go to eat something that you are use to and you can't get your mouth around it not to mention that when i open my mouth as wide as it can my left ear aches something horrible. any relief would be greatly appreciated??
my top left wisdom tooth finally came in, but i am still experiancing some sharp pressure under my jaw bone,and pain down the left side of my neck which also effects my left ear. when i wake up in the morning i experience a wetness in my ears and pressure in my sholder. i am just wondering if my wisdom tooth is affecting my heart?
These symptoms sound horribly familiar to me for the past 4 weeks Should I see a dentist or my reg dr?
Hey, I went to see a dentist, and an orthodontist, who put in four braces. Because he said I have subluxation of the jaw, the other option was apparently surgery on my joint which would mean a scar on my face, but it is meant to remove the muscles or cartilage that have grown to make my jaw pop. They said I got this from an accident and my joint experienced some trauma. There seems to be no right answer in everything. She said it was 95% success rate, in having the braces for six months and not opening my mouth wide enough to make it click... Given I do open it, it hurts a little. The accident had also chipped my front teeth, not enough for me to notice, or anyone else that I notice either. So now I have to get veneering done because my enamel has worn out, from the bottom so it hurts to eat col ice cream, when the wind blows on my teeth,and when i chew something hard.. or just randomly for no reason.. has any one else been through this .. I feel like i need a second opinion, and no one seems to more enough about it. Treatment seems to vary, a and makes me doubt all the doctors out really know what they are talking about. The only thing I would suggest is to make sure you have a damn good dental insurance, because it is extremely expensive. The earlier you go to see a doctor the better, but it seems wise to research and get at least 2 opinions, if not more. I have only seen one so far. For those of you worried about the cost, you may want to get it done in India, its less expensive, compared to abroad. I just got 11 teeth capped with ceramic material, and 4 braces, and a proper cleaning including dentist fees for 1000.00$. You may want to get diagnosed in your home country and then come here. But the doctor that I am seeing was qualified in NY.
Like the 16 year old commentor i'm 18 and have had popping since i was around 12 or so, it got progressively worse, and last year i was brushing my teeth and the left side of my jaw dislocated, i got braces because the dentists and doctors thought it was to do with a crooked wisdom tooth but the braces are off now and it's still getting worse. now i have pain and stiffness in my jaw, pain on 1/2 of my neck front to back and i get horrible shooting ear pain. i can only open a little more that the width of two of my fingers. I take ibuprofen for the pain but doesn't solve the problem.
I am only 15 and my jaw has been bad for a few years already. Within the last year I would wake up and my jaw would barely open and if I tried opening it then it would either pop (with pain) or it would just feel like something is gonna snap. Right now it won't even pop.I can barly eat! What do I do?
I am 17 and my lower jaw has over the past 2 years been in pain and has shifted farther out to almost match or go out further than my upper jaw. I am a bodybuilder and lift a lot very often..is this constant clenching and straining of my jaw/body causing this?
will a chiropractic appointment fix anything?
I'm wondering if TMJ can be caused by braces, or even getting them off? I'm 20, and I got braces about 3 years ago to correct my jaw positioning, I had a bit of an underbite and the orthodontist said that if I got braces it might avoid major jaw surgery in later years. Anyways, I got the braces off probably about 10 months ago, and about 6 or 7 months ago this weird jaw popping started.
Sometimes I'll just wake up in the morning and I find that if I open my mouth, something tugs against my opening it. I'm seeing some people hear saying they physically can't open their mouths more than an inch. That's not the case for me, I can open it, but if I try to open my mouth against this pulling sensation, it's accompanied by this weird popping noise.
It's a weird condition, it comes and goes. Like I said, sometimes I wake up in the morning and I have to pop my jaw to open it. Other times I have to maneuver my jaw and I can open it without popping, but it's not exactly convenient. Sometimes I get attacks when I'm eating or chewing gum, and every time I chew I either get caught up with the pulling sensation or my jaw pops. Needless to say, it's pretty uncomfortable. But then again, I'm trying to get my jaw caught in the pulling sensation right now, and I can't seem to do it, it opens without a hitch no matter how I position my jaw.
I'm pretty thankful, though, I'm also seeing people complaining about agonizing pain that keeps them from sleeping. Luckily, my popping jaw isn't accompanied with any actual pain, none at all really. It's just the annoyance of the condition that's the problem, and of course that sickening pop sound is still something I'm not used to. I hope surgery isn't the only way to deal with this, that sounds like an extreme solution to an only slightly annoying problem. I heard some talk of heat pads on the jaw, maybe I'll try that since my problem isn't so severe.
I too suffer from severe jaw pain. For the past 2 weeks. I've had constant pain in my jaws, ears and headaches. I seen a doctor who looked at my ears and throat and said you have arthritis. With No blood work, no x-rays. And then went on to tell me the I grind my teeth at night, that he could tell me looking at my chin. He told me to get a nigh guard for the grinding and to take advil for the pain in my jaw. Now your bill is $$$$. What the?? I'm in pain and this doctor does not want to take the time to help me.
ive been having jaw pains for only about a week, and i'm only 13! i've been taking advil daily because when i try not to, the pain makes me unable to concentrate at all. It's through the sides of my face and neck and all the way up through my temples.
my mom says my face is growing, but i don't know, is it possible that i have some bigger problem? because no one else i've asked, people my age and older, can seem to ever remember jaw pain this bad.
ive eaten so little because what i can fit in my mouth, i cant chew without pain. if i force my jaw open wide, my ears pop.
it could be a combination of school related stress and sleep deprivation (i'm getting about 4 hours a night.)
anyone with any idea or comments, i'd really appreciate the help. thanks.
I have had pain in my right ear, temple, and jaw for the past 8 weeks after a temporary crown was put in on my left side. I have seen an ENT dr. for a possible ear infection, but he told me that it was TMJ. I then saw a specialist for TMJ and he said that I over-extended my lower jaw muscle. I went back to my ENT dr. and then took a CAT Scan. He found that my sinuses were all clear. Going to tak a MRI test on the right side to check the fatty tissue. I'be tried all pain killers from Advil, Tylenol with Codeind, 800 mg. of Ivprophin and none of these work. What seems to work for me is to get into a nice hot tub and ask your dr. for a prescription for Ativan. This medication is used for anxiety. The more you have the pain the more pain. You have to calm down. Easy to say, but hard to do. I'm still looking for a conclusion on what to do. If anyone is out there who can help me--please do.
spelling correction!!!
I have had pain in my right ear, temple, and jaw for the past 8 weeks after a temporary crown was put in on my left side. I have seen an ENT dr. for a possible ear infection, but he told me that it was TMJ. I then saw a specialist for TMJ and he said that I over-extended my lower jaw muscle. I went back to my ENT dr. and then took a CAT Scan. He found that my sinuses were all clear. I am going to take a MRI test on the right side to check the fatty tissue. I've tried all pain killers from Advil, Tylenol with Codeine, 800 mg. of Ibprophin and none of these work. What seems to work for me is to get into a nice hot tub and ask your dr. for a prescription for Ativan. This medication is used for anxiety. The more you have the pain the more anxiety you'll have. You have to calm down. Easy to say, but hard to do. I'm still looking for a conclusion on what to do. If anyone is out there who can help me--please do.
I'm 15 and I've had jaw pain for a little over 1 and half years now. It started out with a twinge in my front tooth. Then we went to the dentist and found no prpblems. Then I started not being able to open my jaw farther than an inch open. I would have to close it and try again. No one really believed me. Then I got some pain in my jaw and I started to worry that I was grinding my teeth. Then popping came, and headaches and twinges in my temples. I told my dentist about it and he told me that I clenched my teeth cause my jaw muscles have become bulgy and very strong. He told me it was stress and i needed to get at least 30 min. of exercise. I was already getting way over that but I did notice that my pain was worse on nights when I was sick or had a rash. Then later on I had extreme, constant pain for two straight weeks. I felt like crying but then it started to fade. And i went without any pain for a month and then it started hurting a bit again but nothing real serious. I only get pain occasionally now but i still cannot put any pressure on the left side of my jaw. I massage it alot and still get occasional headaches but I pray it won't get worse again!
I had pain in my neck and head accompanied by intense pressure in my face, the doctor said it was TMJ, I got a mouth guard, and was taking some pain medicine and muscle relaxers, It became so intense I went to the ER, they did a CT Scan and they said it was all clear, most of the pressure has since gone away, but I have pain in my jaw (not by my temples) but all around my tounge area...has anyone had this kind of pain? What can I do?
well, i feel for everyone!I know its stress and anxiety. I have atavan and skelaxin. both help but dont cure! ice and heat help. massages etc etc. Im going to try acupuncture and a chriopractor
I am having the worst pain on the right side of my jaw and up into my right ear. Last night I could not sleep so I tried one of those disposible ice packs and Excedrin. Nothing helps and the pain just goes on. It is kind of swollen on the inside and feels different than the left side. The pain is awful.
for about a mounth now my jaw hasent been able to open properly at the start i could kinda move it so it would open fully but now it just opens just over an inch wide the hole time and wen i eat but its not tht sore is worse wen i try to fully open and it clicks wen i move it side to side wots it that?
I am 20 years old and i have had jaw pain w/ear and neck pain for 7 years now. I have tried many things and suffered through many hard days with lots of pain. I must say my chiropractor worked wonders on my pain. Depending on what part of my jaw was hurting he would either adjust the joint by cracking it or he would physicaly strech the muscle in the back of my mouth by "plucking" it with his finger. This has made a world of difference and I don't even see him anymore. I also follow a few rules that I think help keep the pain at bay; I never chew gum or anything else that takes more than a minute to chew like chewy candy, and also when I yawn I put my thumb in my mouth to remind me not to open my mouth wider than that. Another thing I do is stretch out my neck and face as well. When I say face I mean that I start at my temple and work my way down pulling the muscles back and forth. I hope this gives at least one person some relief.
MY TMJ started when i was about 15 back then i didn't care much for it it didn't hurt or anything it was just making a popping noise and cracking never really cared for it so 4 years later, i was yawning an my jaw just locked up but very minor pain. but also think this TMJ pops up during the winter time for my family i never noticed it in summer, anyway i cant open it straight up an gotta kinda move it to the left an then i can open my jaw fully. You guys should try it if the lockness is on right move you jaw towards the left an just to open it, if the lockness is on the left move towards right an try to open your jaw so you can have prefect yawn ahh feels good..
and you think you got problems heh.
If you clench your jaw and it causes pain in your jaw and the sides of your head, you may want to consider finding out if you could have jaw dystonia. This causes me to constantly clench my jaw. No meds helped me. I had to get botox injections in my jaw muscles and under my chin. This has decreased the pain. Also, if your jaw joint is not working correctly, a chiropractor can work with your jaw. When my jaw locked, my chiropractor worked with me to get it moving again. This was very helpful.
Unfortunately, in this case, laughter is NOT the best medicine.
While some of you have expressed TMJ resulting in traditional headaches, my pain resides mostly in my skull, both top and back. Does anybody else experience this? Also, my jaw pain is on the left side (your right) and my ear pain is on the left. Is this uncommon?
I've had pain in both my upper and lower jaw. I've had a dental exam, chiropractice treatment, medical exam, CT scan, x-rays -- you name it. I'm currently on muscle relaxers, amoxicillin and vicodin. Nothing seems to REALLY stop the pain. no swelling in the gums, no sores, etc... what could it be?
i have really bad jaw and headaches all through the night and its killing my sleep i maybe get 2 to 3 hours of sleep when i have taking about 4 or 5 tylenols and it goes away for about 3 hours then it comes back and i am right back were i started i dont no what i should do cause i really dont have the money for medical care and presc drugs please help me out
im 20 now and my jaw has been like this for about 4 yrs now. Recently i have been feeling shooting pain in my ear and it makes it hard to sleep. I also suffer from anxiety could i also be one with heart attack warning signs? And what should i do about my jaw and my ear.
I noticed pain while swallowing on the right side of my throat and in my ear. I gargled with hydrogen peroxide being careful not to swallow it. I opened my jaw and heard a loud "pop" followed by a few strange clicking and grinding sounds.I then drank plenty of water and followed up by rinsing my sinuses with salt water (using a neti pot). My pain is gone and the popping has disappeared. This has happened before and I used the same treatment and got the same results. Hope this helps.
i dont exactly have jaw pain but almost everday for long periods of time my jaw pops in and out everytime i move it. sometimes it gets stuck and i cant move it almost like a charlie-horse. i noticed it is usually on my left side and it is happening more frequently lately. can you please tell me why this happens?
I have been having jaw pain in the bone of my mandible. It is on the left side and it appears that the bone is starting to protrude outward. It is very sore under my neck. Has anyone had the same or similar symptoms?
i am 40 yrs old my jaw and ear has been hurting for about a month the pain is about the same when i open my mouth it hurts bad but if leave my mouth close it dont hurt what can cause this is it do to the ear or what
To those of you asking about your specific situation:
Our Health Professionals are unable to offer you a diagnosis of specific conditions, because they have not examined you. If your pain persists, please make an appointment to be seen by a qualified health provider for diagnosis and treatment.
Sie Sie,
Your message has been removed because the law requires you be at least age 13 to post on the site. Have your dad take you to the doctor and have things checked -- that's the best way to know.
I have pretty much the same symptoms as everyone else. I am 17 and i never really noticed the stiffness until about 4 months ago. Occasionally it would pop but not very often. now its almost constant, its hard to eat, talk and sleep. it is only on the right sode of my mouth and i dont feel pain anywhere else in my neck or jaw. i dont know what all there is to do.
I vry worry about the pain that I am having in my jaw, I have nt eat anymore for the last 2 wks. I already went to the dentist and he said that ws nothing wrong with ny teeh, also I went to my sinus doctor and he also sais that there was nothing to do with my sinuses. Can somebody please help me?
I got on here to do some research. I clinch my teeth at night have always have for years, I have cracked a tooth because of the pressure over time. I also seem to flex or tighten my jaw muscles when I am stressed and I have to focus on relxing them. I am familiar with TMJ beause my mother has had TMJ for the majority of my life and I remember how misserable she was when the pain started. Recently I have had this dull discomfort, sometimes with brief spikes of pain at the back of my head, near the base of my neck and kind of behind my ear. After paying attention to it I noticed that I feel, week, almost achy jaw muscles. After I talk a lot it was incresingly sore. I fear it is TMJ, it makes sense since my mother had it and I am of child-baring age. It worries me about it possibly a sign of heart problems. After reading everyone's comments, I will go get it checked out. I pray for all of your pain to ease and I pay mine won't be that bad.
I have a feeling that "TMJ Disease" is not an actual disease at all. It is interesting to note that nearly everyone posting their stories here has either had a)braces removed or b)wisdom teeth removed.
Is it possible that TMJ Disorder is caused by a change in the occlusal surfaces the teeth? Maybe removing teeth or removing braces has the effect of changing the "alignment" of the occlusion, meaning you are putting new stresses on different parts of your mandible and TMJ.
Has anyone out there had this problem who didn't have some form of earlier oral intervention? Also, I wonder if there have been cases where this sort of pain disappears without surgical or chemical intervention.
Funny how dentists recommendation for jaw pain in teenagers 17-25 is "yank out the wisdom teeth". And then the jaw pain returns... hmmm. Maybe dentists don't actually know what they are doing. Maybe they are LESS THAN DOCTORS earning boatloads of money from people desperate for quick fixes to the naturally slow processes going on inside the mouth at this age.
I just cried when I read everyone's statements here. Not only do I realize I'm not alone, but how many people need to suffer before someone is able to help? I am up and it is 4:30 am, with incredible jaw, neck, head, temple and ear pain. The same thing everyone here has described. No medicine has helped me either. I'm trying the cold/hot pack thing but it doesn't work. I cannot lay on either side of my face to sleep so i'm thoroughly exhausted. This episode has been going on for about 7 days now. I have had these problems since I was about 15. I'm 34 now. AND TO THE POSTING BEFORE...I'VE NEVER HAD BRACES OR MY WISDOM TEETH OUT. So, I'm not sure if that is a factor or not. However, this time I have been so focused on making sure I'm not clenching or grinding on the right side of my mouth which initially began hurting, that I'm in fact, clenching on the left side now. There are two things I've ever really had done one is a mouth guard that cost me $125 and ended up being chewed to bits. Not to mention...How does one sleep with that in their mouth anyways???? I have had my jaw adjusted by a chiropractor and that eased the pain some. but times like this at 4:30a.m. what can I do? If there is inflamation in the jaw, no one will help you until its gone.
We all need to keep asking Dr's and Chiro's down the ladder to the janitors until someone comes up with something. There are way too many people suffering. I feel for you and with you all. Good luck on seeking a remedy. Just remember, eventually someone has to find out something....right?
My jaw has only recently begun to hurt and its impossible to open my mouth fully. It hurts to eat and chew at all. My wisdom teeth have been growing and receding for four years now, and they have finally broken the gum. maybe that's the reason for so many teenage cases?
WHAT DOES IT MEAN IF I KEEP BITING MY TOUNGE WHEN I EAT? I HAVE BITEN IT SO MANY TIMES NOW THAT THERE IS A SMALL BUMB ON THE LEST SIDE OF MY TOUNGE AND IT HURTS.
Can you get jaw pain from chewing gum for a very long time?
I am 55 and have been a chronic gum chewer since stopping smoking about 30 yrs ago.
Now I'm wondering if I could have "worn out" my jaw hinge, particularly on the left side
It seemed to go "out of place" a few months ago when Iwas laying on my side--very painful! Now it feels like it might happen again if I open my jaw a certain way, or chew a certain way. It is painful to open my mouth very wide at all.
I have a dentist appointment soon...I'm afraid to go! Can anyone help me?
I feel so sorry for everyone that has posted a comment. My jaws pop a little but nothing that I'm concerned about. What I have is sometime I will get a throbbing pain in my right jaw. It doesn't last long, thank God, because there are times it just about brings me to my knees. It will throb for a minute or so and then stop.I'm 60 years old and admit that I do have quite a bit of stress in my life and I feel that is the culprit. Does anyone have this type of pain in their jaw?
I have read many of the comments and wondered if anyone has had eye problems with TMJ? My pain is in my jaw and upper teeth area with severe eye burning and pain - doctors have done CT of sinus and put me on medicine because of infection but did not help - doctor basically has said nothing more they can do for me ---
I also have pain in my upper left jaw by my temple. It just happened about one week ago. I can only open my mouth a half inch. It hurts when I open it all the way. And if I do open it all the way there is a clicking noise and the the pain gets worst. What do yu think it is?
my jaw is constantly clicking and locking up,,sometimes i notice it is from stress or exitement.i have kind of self diagnosed tmj after reading about it. im only 16 and i am looking for answers about what to do about it,thanks
dustin
I have a 20 year old son that has waken up every night for the last 3 night complaining about his right side of his jaw hurting. What in the world do I tell him or do to help him?
Until reading all the postings on this subject I thought I was going nuts! I have been worrying that my jaw pain might be heart related, which it might be, however I feel a little better after reading all the comments.
I have been experiencing jaw pain, particularly at the base of my ears, accompanied by sinus pressure/pain, gum soreness, neck pain, arm/shoulder pain and pain at the base of my head. Sometimes I feel a bit nauseous. The last year has been extremely stressful and I know I grit my teeth when I get stressed, so maybe it's causing alot more physically than I have been willing to admit.
Thanks to all of your comments I can relax a little and approach treatment with hopefully a little common sense rather than the tinge of fear I had before visiting this site. I think maybe I will start by visiting the chiropractor? And start focusing on destressing. I will be happy to consider any other suggestions that any of you may have as well. Thanks, I hope you all find some relief!
I have been having upper and lower jaw and gum pain, headaches, burning sensation,ear pain on my letf side for the last 3 weeks.My pain comes and goes every 6 hrs. Tylenol helps bur I don't want to be taking pain kills for life. I had a adjustment 3 weeks ago, I have braces. I went to my dentist and he sent me to see a endodontics his diagnosis not need of a RCT. My next step is my MD but also thank you for all your comments at least I have and idea of what I may be dealing with. God bless you all and help us to feel better.
Tonight I was eating a salad and bit the inside of my left cheek but did not break the skin. I now have shooting pain in my left jaw radiating up to my left ear. Did I pinch a nerve? I tried to eat but it was very sensitive on the left side almost like a very sensitive tooth. Any comment would be helpful. I have never had any popping or locking of the jaw. Could this be TMJ or something else?
Help! my jaw Hurts Really Bad i havent been to the doctor becuase tonight was the first night it woke me up in my sleep which its about 254am and i have ot be up at 530 for wokr:-( anywho im dyin!!!!!! it hurts so bad jaw pain feels like an ear ache with a slight head ache someone please tell me something ...
I am a 40 year old woman and for the past 3 weeks I have been experiencing severe base of my skull,neck ,shoulders,base of tongue, roof of mouth and what seems to feel like back teeth pain on both sides. My throat has been burning and irritated as well. I went to see my Dr. he diagnosed me with TMJ. But I feel like this could be something really bad. Please if anyone has feel any or all symptoms like me please let me know. I truly feel like I am the only one with all these symptoms.
I am at a loss..I got on here to try to find something. I just got back from the ER and the doctor looked at me like I made it all up, doesn't look like it. I was hit hard with intense jaw pain on my right side, it hurt the whole right side of my face and head into my ear, but it only happens when I lay down. So of course it was ok when I was there, but the minute I got home and laid down...BAM. I have never had this kind of pain before and none of my teeth hurt. Can anybody suggest anything? Nothing works and I am so tired...it's only 12:30 am, how will I sleep tonight?
I am 49 and have jaw pain, on my right side, I have lately had eye, neck, and skull pain as well. I was told I had TMJ years ago. I love to chew gum and I notice after my streak of gum chewing I end up in pain. It take a while for it to go away. I also had braces when I was 25 years old. I believe stress is also associated with this as well. After reading the comments I would say I have been under stress, and they may also contribute to this situation. Most recently the sharp eye, and skull pains is what brought me to this website. If anyone has had any success please let me know. I will also call my Chiro, today and get an appointment.
I have been experiencing jaw and ear pain for about a week now, and today started to feel nauseass and dizzy...I do grind and tap my teeth--and from reading everyone's comments, this must be the colprit to my discomfort. I am sad to read here that so many people are suffering and relief is nowhere in sight! Strange and unsettling how a lot of our health issues are a mystery to the world of science and we at times have to cure ourselves..what else could be done here???
I just wanted to say how great (for lack of a better term) it is to know that I'm not the only one dealing with this.
I have had this pain since December. I have been clenching my teeth for about the past 7 years, and all the time! I have actually taught myself to keep my tongue between my teeth when I am not talking. This goes for sleeping and just doing random, everyday things. Granted, this doesn't always help, for I have woken up with indentions in my tongue, but...ehh!! I too wake up in the middle of the night with pain so severe that it sometimes brings tears to my eyes. My lower jaw, up through my ear, and sometimes my head. Rubbing a certain spot on my jaw and applying pressure seem to help, but try sleeping while doing that! Taking advil or aleve don't aleviate the pain completely, but it definitely does help.My jaw also clicks when chewing food, but especially when chewing gum.
I will definitely be checking this out further, and possibly seeing a chiropractor.
Thank you all for your help, and I wish you all luck in finding some kind of relief.
HI I HAVE BEEN GRIDING MY TEETH AT NIGHT FOR THE PASS TWO MONTHS NOW MY JAW HURTS AND I CANT OPEN IT WHAT DO I DO? WHAT DO I DO TO TAKE THE PAIN AWAY?IT HURT WHEN I EAT AND TALK
This in regards to this comment I read.......I have been having jaw pain in the bone of my mandible. It is on the left side and it appears that the bone is starting to protrude outward. It is very sore under my neck. Has anyone had the same or similar symptoms?
I can happily say I am not the one with these symtoms but unfortunatly my husband is. He use to grit his teeth in his sleep as well and we got him that mouth guard to help him stop but all that did was give him blisters so he stopped wearing it. He eventually stopped gritting his teeth but now he has a bone sticking out of his left jaw right under his ear and complains of an ear ache. He does not have the problems of locking of the jaw or dry mouth but the popping is there and he try's Excedrin back and body and Excedrin migrane not to mention a lot of Orajel sadly to say does not help at all either. He also places a heating pad on his jaw and it seems to smally relieve the pain as well. He is also able to sleep on that side but the bone sticking out has not broken skin and you can see the swellin on the one side of his face. A lot of the symptoms I have read sounds really familuar to what we are going through with him.
Unfortunalty we do not have the insurance for him to go to a dentist to tell him it is "All in his head!" which we already know that hince the pain he is going through his head and jaw. I am just wondering if there is anything we can do w/o spending a lot of $$$$$$.
If it is stress or depression we have medicine to deal with those but if it is something else which would be better to see a chiopractor or a regular dr.? Please Help!!!!!!!
My girlfriend had severe pain in her jaw for 2 1/2 years and it was finally diagnosed with Trigeminal Neuralgia, it can come in the form of wisdom teeth problems, TMJ, but it is severe pain. Its a nerve in the jaw that rubs against a vessel. Go online and do some research on this it may help. She finally had to have surgery to cure the problem.
I HAVE JAW PAIN, IM MY LEFT JAW. FROM MY TEMPLE TO MY CHIN.
WENT TO DENTIST, FACIAL PAIN THEARPIEST,ETC..
MY BEST RESULT AND ADVICE IS CHIROPRACTOR.... IT IS THE ONLY THING THAT HAS HELPED. THE PAIN WAS SO SEVERE, I DIDN'T WANT TO TALK, AND TO YAWN, "OUCH"!!!
"CHIROPRACTOR"...ONLY RELIEF//
I have been experiencing a popping of my jaw as well, it is often followed by an intense pain in my temple, it feels the equivelent to hitting your funny bone, i havent been to see a doctor yet, but has anyone else had that type of pain in the temple?, if so could you tell me what it could be thanks
i would gladly be a guinea pig for any study on TMJ if there is really HOPE for relief. I am a 50 year old female who has had a night guard for 15-20 years due to clinching and grinding my teeth. I have a highly active, stressful job. I am the bread winner in my family with the insurance coverage and like everyone else the insruance does not touch TMJ and like everyone else I cannot afford to seek help without insuarnce. This sucks!
I have had problems with my jaw for so long I can't remember when it started. I am 19 now. When I was in 6th grade I got braces for 2 yrs. During that time my Orthodontist said I had an overjet which is when your upper jaw is the dominant, and the space is large between where your upper and lower teeth meet. So when I would smile or close my mouth, only my upper teeth would show because my lower teeth would meet my upper jaw behind the gums of my upper teeth. It is still that way. I was given a device to wear at night to pull my lower jaw forward. Ever since, my lower jaw has constantly alternated itself between its old position and where the device was supposed to correctly place it permanently. I will eat, talk, or even yawn and my jaw will lock itself so easily just by me trying to open my mouth. At first it would pop every now and then, when I would eat. Then the popping became every time I opened and closed my mouth. As the popping got more often, the more my jaw would lock and I started to not be able to open my mouth but 1 inch. I will be on the phone with my boyfriend and my jaw will lock on me in the middle of a word. Then he will constantly try and get me to talk but all the while I'm helplessly stuck where all I can do is make a noise like I am at the dentist with my mouth pried open getting a cleaning that is killing me. Then I have to hear him fuss me out because I wasn't talking to him and he claims I was ignoring him just to be ugly. But I couldn't help it. So it has been affecting my personal life too.I mean, I can't tell him my jaw locked until it unlocks, by then, he's so mad he won't listen. Just 30 minutes ago I was trying to eat baby carrots with ranch dressing. I was in the most excruciating pain in my right jaw the whole time. For about a month now, I have had more and more trouble with my jaw. For the past 3 days I have had a constant excruciating, scary, pain in my right jaw. My jaw will even pop left and right. You know, like someone is moving their lower jaw out of line as far left or right as it can go when they are trying to get food stuck between their molar teeth out with their tongue?? In the Joint where my lower jaw connects to my skull, right in front of my earlobe. In order to try and get my jaw to unlock, I have to massage in a pulling motion what feels like a muscle wrapped around the exact joint of my right jaw from the corner of my jaw closest to my teeth, around to my earlobe then put pressure on the pressure point where my jaw connects, increasing the pressure as I go around the back of my jaw to the inside of it up under the jaw. For those of you I lost in saying all that, it is kind of like I have a muscle around the joint where my lower jaw connects to my skull and it gets a muscle cramp, so I have to stretch the muscle out by using my fingers to pull on it in a circle around my joint. I read the symptoms of TMJ up here because I have been thinking for a long time I have lock jaw. I have been having every one of the symptoms for the whole time. I also looked at the causes. Yes I have had a lot of anxiety and depression. Especially more recently. I don't know if I have any infections though. Can wisdom teeth promote infections? I have lock jaw don't I?
It has been incredibly comforting to see so many people going through the same thing as I am. Thank you everyone for your tips and stories. I am having the same thing as everyone else: jaw pain, ear funniness/pain, facial pain, and the pain seems to sort of permeate my teeth in weird feeling way. I get NO relief from ANY medication... 18 advils per day is like nothing. It has been the worst pain I've ever felt in my life. I HAVE FOUND ONE SOLUTION:ICE!!! I know everyone says heat, but honestly if I essentially FREEZE my face the pain goes away... until my face thaws out. I just keep an ice pack near at all times and when I feel the pain I freeze it away lol it works!!!! For me, it is the only thing that works. Good luck everyone...
O.K., this is wild