GrundleLove Posted September 19, 2011 Posted September 19, 2011 So here I am sittin in the waiting room waiting for a surgeon at my medical center. Why? Because when I woke up this morning I could not open my mouth past a certain point. Something called TMJ joint? Our some crap like that. All I know is that whatever needs do be done to fix this is going to hurt like hell...Which it does already. Apparently it's very common. I'm curious on how long I will actually be waiting here. probably 40 min then another 30 min sitting in that little room....i hate the little room. I always have to fart and spend 10 min convincing myself that the doctor won't be in for a while, rip it, then he walks right in. every.single.time. He knows. I know. God knows what it says in my chart. Quote
Sfritr Posted September 19, 2011 Posted September 19, 2011 I have TMJ. Or at least, had it badly in high school and early college. My jaw would pop every time I would open it to the point where I had to menuever my jaw to the side to open it wide. Had to wear a special mouthpiec at night for about 6 months. Luckily I never got LockJaw, which is what it sounds like you have. It can require surgery. Sometimes it is caused by grinding your teeth. Good Luck Quote
Super User deaknh03 Posted September 19, 2011 Super User Posted September 19, 2011 Lockjaw. I knew someone that had it before, not pleasant. Quote
GrundleLove Posted September 19, 2011 Author Posted September 19, 2011 Im more upset at the fact there is a taco bell right across the street that I am planning to feast on after I leave and if I can't chew I'm going to loose it! I hate this little room. Quote
Super User clayton86 Posted September 19, 2011 Super User Posted September 19, 2011 That's gotta suck I've never had it or known anyone who's had it. I did break my jaw when I was little though I don't remember it I was 3 I just know what iv been told. We did have a guy over the weekend at drill get his jaw dislocated by the dentist at ft. Drum that had to have sucked he was walking around drooling blood crying till the vicadin kicked in I felt bad for the guy he was behind me inline and I was joking how I got all my teeth and never had a cavity and plan on keeping it that way and he goes in right after me needs a tooth pulled and they crush his tooth and dislocate his jaw prying it out. Quote
GrundleLove Posted September 19, 2011 Author Posted September 19, 2011 Waiting for x rays. I guess I do have tmj ...caused by stress . Makes sense...been trying to quit smoking past few weeks and it's been stressing me out. Plus my job stresses me out aswell...god dammit im falling apart Quote
OHIO Posted September 19, 2011 Posted September 19, 2011 Wow, that sucks. Look on the bright side though. It might help you quit smoking. You can't open your mouth, you can't smoke a cigarette. Quote
Super User BASSclary Posted September 19, 2011 Super User Posted September 19, 2011 Wow, that sucks. Look on the bright side though. It might help you quit smoking. You can't open your mouth, you can't smoke a cigarette. LOL, if you're desperate enough you could use the nose LMAO. don't try that, haha. Quote
NateFollmer Posted September 19, 2011 Posted September 19, 2011 Man my jaw pops something fierce when I yawn (and it hurts like a mother sometimes). Maybe I better go get checked out now before it turns into this... Quote
GrundleLove Posted September 19, 2011 Author Posted September 19, 2011 Man my jaw pops something fierce when I yawn (and it hurts like a mother sometimes). Maybe I better go get checked out now before it turns into this... Yup. Highly reccomend it. Same with me, I ignored it. Now look at me. I ruined! Ruineeeddddddd Quote
endless Posted September 19, 2011 Posted September 19, 2011 They say allot of people with TMJ grinds their teeth while sleeping like my wife's friend. I think the same for father n law as well grinding his teeth while sleeping. Hope you feel better. I know sometimes my jaw feels locked in the morning but I think from sleep on hands. Quote
MuffinMan Posted September 19, 2011 Posted September 19, 2011 i wake to something similiar maybe once or twice a month,i hope its not this im only 16 lol Quote
Fat-G Posted September 20, 2011 Posted September 20, 2011 They say allot of people with TMJ grinds their teeth while sleeping like my wife's friend. I think the same for father n law as well grinding his teeth while sleeping. Hope you feel better. I know sometimes my jaw feels locked in the morning but I think from sleep on hands. Huh? My jaw has been popping a lot lately...and my teeth sometimes hurt from grinding at night. Quote
Super User ww2farmer Posted September 20, 2011 Super User Posted September 20, 2011 My jaw popped badly from the time I was about 14 till my late twentys, I am now 35, and it hasn't done it in years. I didn't even know it was a condition. Quote
Super User slonezp Posted September 20, 2011 Super User Posted September 20, 2011 LOL, if you're desperate enough you could use the nose LMAO. don't try that, haha. Or get a tracheostomy Quote
nick76 Posted September 20, 2011 Posted September 20, 2011 OK, let me first state that I will try my best to not get too technical while writing here. The condition you are talking about is often incorrectly coined "TMJ". The TMJ is actually a joint in your head where the lower jaw joins with the skull. So everyone has a TMJ. What you are actually experiencing sounds like it is "TMD". TM describes the joint and the "D" portion is for "disfunction". There are multiple causes for such an issue and most can be broken down into either a Skeletal (Bone) problem, a muscle problem, or a tooth problem. The Skeletal problems mostly occur from trauma or arthritis. The muscle problems are often associated with stress, bite issues, head injuries, neck and back problems. The Tooth issues are often associated with a bite discrepency or wisdom teeth. It sounds like from what you have said so far that it is either a skeletal or muscle issue and I am leaning toward a muscle problem unless you have had an injury to the face that affected your jaw. You may have a combination of all three, but it is highly unlikely. Just so you know.....there is usually no quick fix and that there are a million different ways to treat this problem. Just as a disclaimer....I am a dentist who has been taught to deal with these matters and through my own experience this is how I categorize the issues. I am sure there are tons of people out there who do it differently. Opinions can be like buttholes.....everyone has one. Quote
Super User NorcalBassin Posted September 21, 2011 Super User Posted September 21, 2011 ... god dammit im falling apart Yep, dam God... it's his fault. First off, you need to quit catastrophizing your day old injury. You're young, you'll heal. Dr Nick gave you some really good information about what's going on. Stress can certainly amplify any musculoskeletal disorder, but it didn't literally cause your "TMJ". Sounds like your disc (little shock absorber in the joint) is displaced, so hopefully that will work itself out without any invasive treatment. Quit chewing gum (may be tough if you just stopped smoking), stick to a soft foods diet for a couple weeks, don't open your mouth too wide for anything, learn to manage your stress (fish more!), and get yourself a mouth piece/bite plate to keep yourself from grinding/clinching your teeth... and you'll be back to normal before you know it. Best of luck on a quick recovery. Quote
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