Jaw joint pain when chewing

[jcapulet]

It started yesterday, but I thought maybe it was just an odd thing that would pass. When I chew, my jaw joints hurt. Also, opening my mouth to eat also makes my jaw hurt, both sides...it's not locked or anything and my teeth don't hurt at all. No popping/clicking sounds.

It just happened suddenly, and my jaw hasn't had any trauma or injury. I hope it's not from chewing gum too much...because I do (I've stopped).

Does anyone who's experienced this (or not ) have any advice? How long should I wait until I see a doc, a week?

[MustLose80]

Re: Jaw joint pain when chewing

Even without the other symptoms, you are most likely experiencing a form of TMD temporal mandibular joint disorder. It is highly treatable and even if you don't realize it, you are probably clenching or grinding in your sleep. I worked for many years for a prosthodontist that specialized in treating this. See your dentist. If he/she agrees a night guard will be made and your problems will likely stop and your joint can heal. This can become very serious if left untreated.

[jcapulet]

Re: Jaw joint pain when chewing

Even without the other symptoms, you are most likely experiencing a form of TMD temporal mandibular joint disorder. It is highly treatable and even if you don't realize it, you are probably clenching or grinding in your sleep. I worked for many years for a prosthodontist that specialized in treating this. See your dentist. If he/she agrees a night guard will be made and your problems will likely stop and your joint can heal. This can become very serious if left untreated.

Thanks for your advice Mustlose80. I have a stupid fear of visiting the dentist, but I'll definitely do so if needed. I'm going to try naprosyn and ice tonight to see if it helps any...and eating soft foods.

[julirama723]

Re: Jaw joint pain when chewing

I'm going to guess it's TMD, too--I had this a couple years ago when I was REALLY stressed out--I was facing a job search in another state, a cross-country move, graduating from college, etc. Is there something that could be stressing you out? For the pain, I just took aleve--which, after going to the doc and paying $100 for the visit, is what he told me to do anyway.

[jcapulet]

Re: Jaw joint pain when chewing

I'm going to guess it's TMD, too--I had this a couple years ago when I was REALLY stressed out--I was facing a job search in another state, a cross-country move, graduating from college, etc. Is there something that could be stressing you out? For the pain, I just took aleve--which, after going to the doc and paying $100 for the visit, is what he told me to do anyway.

Hi Julirama, thanks for your thoughts on that. Wow you had quite a bit going on at that time! I would have been stressed out too.

I don't think I'm under any unusual stress...if I had to guess I'd say maybe it's from chewing too much gum (sometimes a pack a day). That sounds kind of extreme though, pain from gum chewing

I have some naprosyn (generic Alleve, I think?) that I take for other joint pain, so hopefully it will make it go away. I agree with you about seeing the doc, every time I go there they prescribe anti-inflammatory/pain reliever...so I'll try that first.

[MustLose80]

Re: Jaw joint pain when chewing

Yep, naprosyn/aleve same thing and a good choice, also the ice is good. AND YESSSSSS I am sure it is the gum chewing. Joints wear out, never over use them. Imagine it like a rubber disc between your head and lower jaw bones, keeping them from grinding together. You use it too much and exert too much pressure (which is a lot of pressure from those facial muscles) and the disc pushes to the side, maybe away from between the bones completely. Holes form in the disc as well. It used to be believed that this could not be corrected at all and some cannot, but wearing a night guard (which prevents your bones from pressing on the disc), stop chewing gum and stay on a high protein diet and you will feel better in no time. Just remember, the damage has been done, so it can be damaged more easily the next time.
Seriously consider spending the $300 on the night guard, or until (and I mean very temporary solution) go get one of those sports guards that can form to your teeth after putting it in hot water. I know they have them at sporting goods stores and some drug stores. But get a real one ASAP, or at least let the dentist check you out and do what he says.

[jcapulet]

Re: Jaw joint pain when chewing

Yep, naprosyn/aleve same thing and a good choice, also the ice is good. AND YESSSSSS I am sure it is the gum chewing. Joints wear out, never over use them. Imagine it like a rubber disc between your head and lower jaw bones, keeping them from grinding together. You use it too much and exert too much pressure (which is a lot of pressure from those facial muscles) and the disc pushes to the side, maybe away from between the bones completely. Holes form in the disc as well. It used to be believed that this could not be corrected at all and some cannot, but wearing a night guard (which prevents your bones from pressing on the disc), stop chewing gum and stay on a high protein diet and you will feel better in no time. Just remember, the damage has been done, so it can be damaged more easily the next time.
Seriously consider spending the $300 on the night guard, or until (and I mean very temporary solution) go get one of those sports guards that can form to your teeth after putting it in hot water. I know they have them at sporting goods stores and some drug stores. But get a real one ASAP, or at least let the dentist check you out and do what he says.

Nightguards are $300? I wonder if medical insurance might cover that, yikes.

I'll definitely be staying away from gum. Thanks for the info about the joint and disc, those are good things to know!

[Atkid]

Re: Jaw joint pain when chewing

Mustlose80, having worked with those mouthguards, do you believe they are worth the $300. over just buying the kind online or in stores. Do you feel they make the difference?

[Miss Phode]

Re: Jaw joint pain when chewing

I have TMJ and I don't have any problems as long as I am careful not to grind or clench my teeth. I started chewing gum, really really hard and my jaw started hurting, so I had to ditch the chewing gum.

[DAWNIMMEL]

Re: Jaw joint pain when chewing

I was diagnosed two years ago with TMJ and the culprit was chewing gum. I don't chew gum anymore and I haven't had a problem....Dawn

[MustLose80]

Re: Jaw joint pain when chewing

Actually, yes I do believe they are worth the money. They last for many years and if you wear them regularly and take care fo them, they could last forever, with maybe a minor repair here and there.

The majority of people are going to grind and or clench at night and will never know they do it, so your problem can't go away. If chewing gum and stopping does the trick, GREAT, you are lucky. I have had mine for years (maybe 15). It still fits because I use it regularly (teeth move all of your life). If you put it on after a while and it is very tight, leave it on a couple of hours and it will not be tight anymore, eat with it on and that will take care of it in 20 minutes LOL weird though. I only clench in my sleep when under stress, or my back is hurting, but migraines are a part of my life when I clench, which makes my back, neck and hips really hurt....they are all connected.

I was serious about it being a serious problem if left uncorrected.

[sadie147]

Re: Jaw joint pain when chewing

For the headaches, my dentist told me to take Robaxecet since it's a muscle relaxant. Not sure if you get that in the US, it's a pain killer for back pain.

I'm a chronic teeth grinder, when i'm sleeping, and when i'm really stressed (which is most of the time) i clench and grind during the day. I've actually worn my teeth down to the point i've fractured all of my molars, and changed the entire bite. It can't be reversed unfortnatly and now causes me headaches.

I've only had my nightgauard since the summer and I wish i'd got it before I did the damage. so far i'e had to hae one tooth capped due to the pain from the fracture, i'm sure there will be more. I recommend that you see your dentist as soon as possible to avoid later issues.

I would imagine there would be a big difference with otc nightguards and custom ones, I had an impression made of my mouth and mine is an exact copy of my teeth so it fits perfectly on my bottom teeth. It's not as intrusive as i thought it would be and i got used it it quickly.

Mine was covered by my work dental plan 100% as an orthodontic appliance. It was around $400 cdn. Which is good because i'm now starting to wear it down from grinding ...i'm curious to see how long it lasts lol.

[jcapulet]

Re: Jaw joint pain when chewing

Thanks Sadie. I wonder if it's like the retainer I wore a while ago, it was made from a mold of my teeth, plastic and fit over my top teeth. I'm glad to hear that medical insurance might cover the cost of it. I've never heard of Robaxcet...maybe it's not available in the US (or it's a prescription?)

My jaw feels better today; I ate all soft foods last night and stopped chewing gum. No more gum for me!

[MustLose80]

Re: Jaw joint pain when chewing

Sadie, it can be expensive, but getting all of the worn teeth crowned will help a lot. I am sure your dentist suggested it, but would probably include root canal therapy first. You do have very progressive TMD; teeth worn that badly, grinding during the day and only worst cases get guards for the lower teeth. You are a person that could need a new guard every year. It is still not a comon surgery, but if your cartilage disappears altogether, there have been cases of replacement, which involves replacement of the entire condyle, because it gets too worn and splintered to function properly. Do you see a specialist in TMD?