TMJ Forum - Abnormal lip posture

Diagnosed with TMD 6 months ago.

Lately, I've had such annoying symptoms. Sad

Are these common TMJ symptoms?

My main symptoms are when food or drink enters my mouth, I feel tons of saliva in my mouth and my tongue and jaw feel tired, my facial muscles feel like they are all not working together at the same time and I'm constantly feeling like I have to keep my lips tightly shut or else I'll either spit while I'm eating or food will fly out of my mouth. Never happens but I have this sensation nevertheless.

Speaking of my lips... I have an abnormal lip posture as well, as if my lips almost look peculiar at rest. This also I believe plays into why I feel like I have to clamp my lips shut while eating, because they are not "lined up" properly at rest due to all the muscle tension and abnormalities I have in my face and jaw from the TMD. Does this make sense?

My face is first of all assymetrical along with jaw deviation and my face and jaw are all pulling towards the side that has the puffier looking muscles while the "thinner" side seems to be perfectly fine in not doing as much work.

My chin almost seems like it's resisting the pulling to the puffier side and my lips certainly seem to be fighting the "battle as well" in that I have an abnormal lip posture. My lips almost look peculiar at rest, they are not lining up properly and I look like I'm frowning because of it as well.

This also I believe plays into why I feel like I have to clamp my lips shut while eating, because they are not "lined up" properly at rest due to all the muscle tension and abnormalities I have in my face and jaw from the TMD. Does this make sense? Is this common?

I cannot believe how annoyed I am by these symptoms. I know the stress is not helping matters for me because I guess I just don't understand the "whys" behind all of this. If I became better educated I know I would relax more but as of right now, I feel so lost as far as not comprehending this disorder. I know education is my best bet right now.

If anyone can explain to me if this is common and why this happens, I would really appreciate it.