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Stryder
686 Posts |
 Posted - 04/10/2005 : 20:33:01
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Hi everyone,
I've been ok the last year or so with fending off my LBP and most of the equivs. One thing that is still eluding me is that I'm still grinding my teeth when I'm awake (maybe when I'm asleep too, don't know). My TMJ and jaw muscles continue to be pretty sore most of the time. So, likley I'm harboring my stressors in this location at the moment.
My dentist (a M.D.) has refferred me (about 2 years ago) to a very conservative M.D. who specializes in TMD, but I've never made the appointment since that would be caving into my TMS.
I know its a just a bad habit, and like most TMS equivs its simply time to unlearn this bad habit. This equiv hasnt responded to my TMS work like the other symptoms have, I'm stumped.
Any suggestions?
Thanks, -Stryder |
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Laura
USA
655 Posts |
Posted - 04/11/2005 : 13:40:04
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Stryder,
I have really severe TMJ pain as well. I fell off of a roof when I was a kid and messed up the left side of my jaw. Visibly, I look fine, but when I open and close my mouth the jaw pops and gets stuck. I've worn a night guard (splint) for about 25 years. I recently had a new crown put in and the night guard no longer fit so it was useless. For days I experienced horrible headaches, jaw pain, upper shoulder and neck pain. I even went to my dentist and spent $1200 on something called a "deprogrammer." The irony is, since I stopped focusing on it so much it really hasn't been bothering me. Yes, my jaw is a bit stiff and sometimes I get headaches but nothing like before when I was really thinking about it.
My advice is to do some relaxation and deep breathing exercises. Also, be conscious throughout the day and right before bed that your jaw is relaxed. But at the same time, try not to focus on it so much that it rules your life because it seems to make it worse. Make sense? Good luck!
Laura
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Stryder
686 Posts |
Posted - 04/12/2005 : 21:44:05
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Hi Laura,
Thanks for your reply. My dentist (D.M.D.) also suggested a hard night guard, but I discounted it as just another useless appliance. I'm just not a big fan of forking over $200+ for some small device that very likely costs no more than $5 to manufacture.
I will try harder to pro-actively relax the muscles that run the TMJ and see if I can break the clenching habit.
Take care, -Stryder |
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TMD and teeth grinding
