TMJ relief?

July 17, 2023 6:05 AM

I have recently developed TMJ pain. While I wait for my dentist appointment, what can I do in the meantime to help?

I couldn't get a dentist appointment till September.

In the meantime what can I do? Heating packs? If so does anyone have recommendations, Amazon is overwhelming me.

I see a chiropractor for a rogue rib that pops out of place regularly. Could she help?

Massage?

The pain is worst when I wake up. I suspect I am clenching my jaw or grinding my teeth in my sleep. Not sure, gonna ask the dentist about that.

If waiting till September for my dentist appointment is too long, is this something a doctor could help with? (I now realize the irony of asking in my last question if I really need a PCP when I see three specialists regularly. A PCP would be helpful here.) Should I try to visit a walk in clinic?

posted by nayantara to Health & Fitness (11 answers total)

Can you see a different dentist? September is pretty far away for you to have to endure this kind of pain.

Can you try a night bite guard? This site lists multiple options.

Hope you feel some ease and relief soon.
posted by wicked_sassy at 6:08 AM on July 17, 2023 [1 favorite]

In the easier-said-than-done camp: reducing stress can help. Even if you can't reduce your main sources of stress in your day-to-day, perhaps some bedtime routines or rituals could help you leave some of your stress outside the door. Meditation, creating a sanctuary of peace in your bedroom, journaling, whatever helps you unload.
posted by Baethan at 6:16 AM on July 17, 2023 [1 favorite]

Magnesium or electrolyte supplement at night will help your muscles relax and reset even after they have been worked by clenching or grinding - keep in mind you may have a looser bowel movement in the morning so titrate accordingly.
posted by mutt.cyberspace at 6:18 AM on July 17, 2023 [1 favorite]

Best answer: The first thing you're going to get recommended is a night guard, which you can start with now. Everyone I know who has gone through this process has gone through a bunch of cheap ones before getting the expensive one that actually worked - I'm sure other posters can recommend specific ones for this.

There's nothing safe and evidence-based that chiropractors do that physical therapists can't do, except PTs are actually trying to fix the problem so it isn't recurring revenue. Jaw tension is usually an extension of neck and shoulder tension, you could work with a PT on reducing all of those, plus strengthening your rib support. They can probably also assess your sleeping position and neck support and advise if you should make modifications.

Cold is generally less likely to exacerbate underlying causes of pain than heat. I like the small round gel or bead packs, which you can hold on with a stretchy headband or snood.
posted by Lyn Never at 6:19 AM on July 17, 2023 [4 favorites]

I'm sure other posters can recommend specific ones for this.

I tried a couple cheap ones, and found them all lacking in terms of fit. What worked for me was getting one from my dentist. There was some cost associated with this, but it's custom molded to my teeth and fits like a glove. I wear it every night when I sleep.
posted by kbanas at 6:27 AM on July 17, 2023

This is a little out of left field, but if you haven't had any big stressors that could be contributing to tooth grinding, have you considered the age and shape of your pillow? A lot of my TMJ issues were alleviated when I replaced my old deflated pillows with something more supportive. I think the angle of my head at night was putting extra weird pressure on my jaw.
posted by specialagentwebb at 6:48 AM on July 17, 2023 [1 favorite]

Best answer: Morning jaw soreness is a decent indicator that you are clenching or grinding or sleeping in an awkward position. The first thing to help is to treat the symptoms.
Stretch your jaw muscles (without opening too far), massage them (thumbs are good, under your cheekbones and along the muscle in front of your ear and over your temples) and take nsaids (ibuprofen or naproxin) if you can tolerate those. Getting things loose first thing in the morning usually alleviates symptoms during the day, but don't forget about it - stretch and take nsaids before bed as well.
OTC night guards can also help until you get seen.
September is a long way out for an appointment to deal with acute pain. find a Dentist who treats TMJ related issues and have them see you as soon as possible.
I'm not your dentist, so I'm not diagnosing here, but typically acute muscular pain is episodic and resolves on its own. Chronic TMJ issues are a bit different, and custom appliances come into play.
posted by OHenryPacey at 7:17 AM on July 17, 2023 [1 favorite]

I went through a TMJ issue in spring, saw my dentist relatively quickly who just basically confirmed a TMJ issue and sent me on my way to physical therapy. (In my non-expert opinion, you could just skip the dentist and go to p/t since that is probably what they are going to tell you to do anyhow).

An OTC night guard can help in the meantime while you get into p/t to minimize teeth wear and pain, but at the speciality TMJ clinic I went to, they don't recommend night guards for long-term use for TMJ. A long explanation, but the short version is that it doesn't address the misuse that brought about the issue in the first place.

While I was waiting for my p/t appt., I found this exercise provided some relief.
posted by nanook at 7:57 AM on July 17, 2023

Stick to soft/softer foods - no bagels, no French bread, nothing that involves a lot of jaw work or chewing. No gum. Ice packs or heat packs can reduce some discomfort. Take an OTC inflammatory if you can. Don't test your discomfort by opening your jaw wide and try to limit how wide your mouth opens when you yawn.
posted by Ink-stained wretch at 12:12 PM on July 17, 2023

Best answer: Do you have access to "random telehealth stuff" through your health insurance? They might be able to give you a prescription for muscle relaxants (or something else) that would help with the pain. A few months ago, I randomly woke up with excruciating neck pain that was probably stress-related, and I was able to get both a telehealth appointment and Flexeril prescription the next day.
posted by unknowncommand at 12:55 PM on July 17, 2023

Botox! Look it up. I get it in my masseter muscle and it’s life changing. Much better sleep, much better quality of life. I no longer am aware of my mouth and jaw 24/7. Fast acting and temporary so you can give it a go and see for yourself much earlier than your dentist appt. Expensive but so worth it. Find a very good quality provider.
posted by sarahnicolesays at 1:01 PM on July 17, 2023