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Answers to Readers' Questions on Health:
TMJ Dysfunction
The following 30 comments and questions have been sent in. They are listed according to date.
List of first 10 items
- Chiropractor made problem worse
- Was hit in the jaw and now has TMJ
- Can you get TMJ on just one side of your jaw?
- I am in TMJ pain now
- Can a chiropractor cure TMJ?
- Got tinnitus after visiting a chiropractor
- Been having constant grinding pain in my ear
- TMJ and menstrual period
- Can a chiropractor can diagnoise TMJ?
- Having pressure in my ears from TMJ and other things
Chiropractor made problem worse
Question
July 21, 2010
The person you might go to a chiropractor that deals with adjusting just the upper neck. C1-C2. If it's NUCA be careful. I think it accelerated my symptons and it got expensive. I quit after 6 months. Never had a day I felt better from the treatment. That was my experience. I had a friend who went to a different NUCA doctor. She didn't think it helped her neck either. Be careful, not desperate.
- USA
20102
Answer
Thanks for sharing your information.
The main causes of TMJ are clenching the teeth at night, incorrect bite due to misaligned teeth and injury to the jaw. A chiropractor is mainly concerned with the backbone and neck bones. Those areas are seldom causes of TMJ.
A person with TMJ should start with the dentist for advice.
Chiropractors can solve some back problems, and they should not try to treat problems outside their area.
Was hit in the jaw and now has TMJ
Question
July 15, 2010
Hi there
After reading your comments regrarding the symptons of tmj I'm 99% I have tmj. I have displayed all the symptons on listed here. I recieved a knock to the side of jaw about 6 years ago which cause my jaw to lock for about 5 hours and Its never felt the same since I've had occasional jaw locking and recently my eye sight has become blurry on and off and unfocused. My neck has been constantly stiff and I have experienced headaches in the back of my head daily which I have neither experienced in my whole life. I'm twenty and my teeth at the back have started coming through and during this time is when I've begun to experience the most symptons . I took the test by putting my pinkys in my ear an as I expected i could feel and hear my jawbone on the side which I recieved the injury. The knock wt as so servere that On that side of the head just next to my temple I know have a small bump which feels like a bump which I think is really A fracture as it feels like bone but Have never had it x rayed.
I would like to ask you what should I do about the above symptons to verify it. Who is the best type of practioner to so as many of the doctors I have asked in the past have been dismissive and unhelpful with other aliments I have experienced.
Also How will it be treated ? I'm a professional martial artist And I fear that It could end my professional
Thank you very much for your help in advance
Bless
tyrone - UK
20061
Answer
It is certainly worthwhile for you to see a specialist dealing in TMJ. It is unfortunate that your other doctors have not been helpful. In fact, it is somewhat irresponsible of them.
Although your problem is from a blow to the jaw, as opposed to dental problems, your dentist may be able to recommend a specialist. But also, you should do some legwork to find someone who can help you.
The following organization should be able to assist you in finding a specialist near your location: http://www.jawache.com/
For some information and a possible clinics:
http://www.addenbrookes.org.uk/serv/clin/surg/oral/tmj.html
http://hcd2.bupa.co.uk/fact_sheets/html/jaw_joint_problems.html
I hope this helps. Best wishes in getting your problem solved and getting back to top health.
Can you get TMJ on just one side of your jaw?
Question
May 18, 2010
Hello, I was wondering if you can get TMJ on just one side of your jaw? And if I think I have TMJ, should I see a dentist? And what can they do to get rid of TMJ?
Thanks
Matt - Canada
19737
Answer
Quite often people will favor one side of their jaw or the other when chewing or clenching their teeth. TMJ on one side of the jaw is most common.
The bite of your teeth may be misaligned, causing the problem. There may be other causes.
If you are having a pain in your jaw, making it uncomfortable to chew or even talk, it is a good idea to check with your dentist. There may be a simple cure, such as wearing a night guard at night, or you may be sent to a specialist to solve the problem.
You can get inexpensive mouth pieces to wear at night, if the problem is from clenching your teeth when you sleep, at the drug store. A custom-fit guard from the dentist can be expensive.
Best wishes on solving your problem.
I am in TMJ pain now
Question
April 20, 2010
Hi, please help me. I am in TMJ pain now. Just today I went to to the dentist. The dentist there cleaned my teeth and saw the xrays which revealed that I have a wisdom tooth which is coming right perpendicular to other teeth in the lower left jaw. He didn't check my ear. My ear is hurting too much and head is paining continuously. He said I should consult an orthodontics and use nightguards or braces. He said the tooth has to be removed. That's ok, but what about TMJ? I don't know whether it is bcoz of wisdom tooth, stress, or any ear infection? I have chronic muscle pain in my right knee. Is it related? Should I see ant chiropractor? PL advise.
- USA
19567
Answer
I'm sorry to hear that you have such problems with the TMJ pain.
It is quite possible that the wisdom tooth is affecting your bite and causing stress in your jaw joint. It probably is a good idea to check with an orthodontic specialist who is familiar with TMJ, especially since you are in so much pain right now. However, you could wait until the wisdom tooth is removed to see if that alleviates your pain.
If you see the orthodontic specialist, make sure the doctor coordinates with your dentist.
In the meantime, you can purchase an inexpensive night guard or even athletic tooth guard from the drugstore, just to try it out and see if it helps. The ones prescribed by dentists are usually quite expensive.
And is difficult to tell whether your knee pain is related. It's best to solve one problem at a time.
I hope this helps, and best wishes and getting a speedy recovery.
Can a chiropractor cure TMJ?
Question
March 20, 2010
My question about TMJ dysfunction is, do you think an Upper Cervical Chiropractor who specializes in the 2 upper vertebrae of the spine, realign the vertebrae so that TMJ dysfunction goes away? They claim to be able to do this and I have an appointment to have this checked out. If TMJ is due to an injury or car accident, wouldn't aligning the initial neck problem heal all other symptoms? There are only about 2000 chiropractors who do this and testimonials of people who have had it done are shocking. It's not just TMJ they have claimed to heal. The list of problems they can treat and heal is long. Any of your thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks,
Jaimy - USA
19399
Answer
TMJ dysfunction is a problem in the jaw joint. It is possible that the symptom of pain in the jaw is from vertebrae problems, however, I would first check with a dentist or a TMJ dental specialist to make sure it isn't due to a problem with your bite, clenching or an injury to the jaw.
Chiropractors can solve many problems related to the spine, if alignment is an issue. But some make claims that are hard to believe. You can try it out, if you want. Fortunately, chiropractic adjustments aren't usually invasive, if the chiropractor is accredited.
Best wishes in correcting and healing your TMJ.
Got tinnitus after visiting a chiropractor
Question
February 1, 2010
I developed unilateral tennitus about 6mos ago; I believe due to an incorrect neck maniuplaton by chiro. Some people have mentioned it could be TMJ also, so can neck manipulation cause TMJ? It is also 'somatic' and changes pitch w/ head,neck, jaw movements. I see my dentist about 2x a year, for cleaning and or if needed fillings, he has never mentioned TMJ to me. I have not seen him this this business started. Anyway, I would appreciate any kind of comment regarding this, thanks, Jay.
Jay - USA
19144
Answer
I doubt that tinnitus can be caused by an incorrect neck manipulation by chiropractor. However, it is a good idea not to deal with that chiropractor any more if his work is causing problems.
TMJ is a problem in the jaw joint related to poor dental bite, clenching, and sometime injury to the jaw. It does affect the ear and hearing, since the joint is near the ear channel. You would feel pain when you chew and sometime hear a clicking sound when you talk.
One other source of tinnitus could be Meniere's disease. See:
http://www.school-for-champions.com/health/meniere.htm
If you are hearing changes in pitch with next and jaw, you might check with a hearing specialist. Also, ask your dentist if he should check you for TMJ or can recommend someone.
Note that tinnitus often comes with age, usually after 50. As long as it is not severe, most people just live with it.
I hope these ideas help. Best wishes in solving your problem.
Been having constant grinding pain in my ear
Question
August 30, 2009
i have been having constant grinding pain in my ear and around jaw line below ear for 3 weeks, the pain wont let up nagging all the time what do you think it is
catherine - UK
18236
Answer
It could be caused by clenching your teeth, due to stress. But it also could be related to your ear. If you think it is from clenching your teeth, see your dentist. If you think it could be something else, see your physician. In either case, it is good to have someone look at the problem. Three weeks is a long time to have such pain.
Best wishes in getting relief from your problem.
TMJ and menstrual period
Question
March 23, 2009
Thanks for replying to my e-mail. Since the last e-mail, I have visited my primary doctor and without my saying a word about what the ENT told me about my jaw. After looking at my jaw himself, and listening to my symptoms, he said the words, "TMJ" also. After he finished talking, I shared with him what happened when I went to see the ENT.
I have only one more question for you. At this point I have been fitted for a mouth guard from the dentist. I am now waiting for the mouth guard to get back. It seems now that sleeping on my back is not working as much. I can only get to sleep after using Oregel ointment. My doctor told me to keep using it until the mouth guard comes back. Here is my final question....I seems like when my menstrual period comes on, the pain seems to be a little worst at night. Could there be a connection with the pain from TMJ and my menstrual period?
Lisa - USA
17495
Answer
Sometimes women are more sensitive to pain during their menstrual period.
Some things to help with the TMJ include:
- Try to catch yourself clenching your teeth. Sometimes a little self-talk will help, even when you sleep.
- Take smaller bites when you eat. Reducing the everyday stress on your jaw joint can help reduce the overall pain.
Best wishes with your mouth guard. I hope it helps solve the problem.
Can a chiropractor can diagnoise TMJ?
Question
March 19, 2009
I would like to know if a chiropractor can diagnoise TMJ?
An ENT told me that my jaw looked out of lign when I went to him for what I thought was a sinus infection.
There are not oral surgeons in my area , and according the chiropracter's secretary, people come to their office all the time for treatment or TMJ. Can a chiropractor treat TMJ?, or will they make it worse....I have some popping noise and some pain....At night , sleeping on my back relieves the pain in my temples.
lisa - USA
17471
Answer
A chiropractor mainly specializes in the spine. TMJ is related to dental and jaw bone problems.
The fact that you get some relief from sleeping on you back indicates that you may be clenching your jaw at night. This can increase when a person sleeps on her stomach.
The starting point for curing your problem is your dentist, who can check your bite. The dentist may refer you to a TMJ specialist. It is surprising your ENT physician didn't recommend some sort of treatment.
You could try a night-guard mouthpiece to prevent you from clenching your teeth at night. Drugstores often have night-guard for about $20. It is worth a try.
I recommend you check with your dentist as opposed to the chiropractor, since it is a dental problem.
Best wishes in getting relief.
Having pressure in my ears from TMJ and other things
Question
February 7, 2009
Hi
Please HELP!!! :-(
Ok you can get hearing loss with TMJ, but can it cause the effect that you have pressure in your ears, eg someone pressing on your ears/poking their fingers in your ear canal, also can it cause you to hear your heartbeat extremely loudly, not only that, but cause you to feel the clonking pulse sensation in your ears.
I have been diagnosed with TMJ but I'm thinking I may have issues with impacted wisdom teeth and I'm trying to sort which one can cause these problems.
I would appreciate your help/assistance/comments regarding this issue enormously....PLEASE HELP.
Kindest regards
Julie :-(
JULIE - UK
17226
Answer
You may have inflammation in your ear canals or sinuses that are giving your those symptoms. Infection or irritation from the wisdom teeth could also cause or aggravate the problem. It could even be allergies.
How is your blood pressure? Do you eat a lot of salt? As a long shot, they may be factors.
Having the problems with your ears can make you tense, causing your to clench your teeth and thus making your TMJ worse.
Check both with your dentist and an ear, nose and throat specialist to start to correct your TMJ and to make sure there are no infections or inflammation causing other problems. Often the dentist may send you to a TMJ specialist, who may also be a physician.
Best wishes in solving your problem.
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