Can Braces Contribute to Tmjd? Posted: 01-21-06 22:42pm
Hi, i'm new to this board. :)
brief intro: i'm 25, live in los angeles,
recently graduated from ucla and studying
for the mcat (i wanna be a doctor!),
and... I'm in pain!! :(
so... Lately, i've had noticable throat
pain, like in the region right below the
jaw, and down each side on the front of my
neck localized mostly to the left side
though. Having gerd (acid reflux
disease), it is sometimes difficult to
differentiate the pain caused by that
condition and this other pain of unknown
origin. I've come to think that it may be
tmjd, just because of the presentation.
The jaw itself does hurt, inner ears a
little uncomfortable and sometimes
painful, the feeling of discomfort in the
throat extends to my chin (like right
under the soft tissue), and sometimes even
the teeth themselves hurt. So this is
probably the result of a bruxism or
something I guess. But I am just curious
if my braces could have anything to do
with this? I've had them on for a year
but the tmj-like pain just started
recently, though I have made the mistake
of letting the teeth shift a bit more due
to not wearing my rubberbands when I was
sick over the last two weeks (used for
pulling the teeth more close together).
Just wondering what you think about this
presentation. I've been pretty paranoid
since i've had a lot of health trouble in
the past 5 years (lost my thyroid at 20,
cause unknown) and lately i've had a lot
of trouble too (mostly due to ibs, reflux,
and a large ovarian cyst) so I basically
feel like i'm falling apart and just
waiting to be diagnosed with cancer or
something.
Any thoughts, advice, suggestions or info
would be awesome.
Thanks!
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catswold
Supporter
Joined: 10 Oct 2005 Posts: 404 Location: Flint, Michigan
Posted: 01-23-06 16:17pm
Yes, the braces can be causing the tmj
symptoms. But don't give up. Very
basically, tmj is caused by an unbalanced
bite and grinding and clenching. All the
other hundreds of symptoms that happen do
need to be dealt with, but getting your
bite balanced is the most important thing.
Be careful to not pop your jaw if you
are so inclined to do so. That will
cause damage.
You might ask your orthodontist if he
knows how to make a bite splint at night
time specifically for people like you who
are having tmj symptoms because of the
braces. If he/she doesn't, check around
to see if you can find someone who does in
your area.
For self help now, use lots of moist heat
especially just before bed. Ice is
helpful also if you think there is
swelling. Eat or drink only soft foods
for a while. As you know, absolutely no
gum or ice chewing. Be careful not to
open your mouth wide (yawning and even for
the orthodontist). Watch your posture
(don't thrust head (chin) forward) and use
a good pillow to sleep at night. The
best otc medication is ibuprofen if you
can take it. Valium at night for a few
weeks is also considered standard
treatment (doesn't help me but it can
help). Vicoprofen is the best narcotic
if you are in real bad pain. But,
anything to help you not grind at night at
the spots where your teeth are in
different spots than before and changing,
etc., before your bite finally get
balanced.
If this orthodontist is not trained in
tmj, you might want to see one before you
get your braces removed to make sure that
your bite is properly balanced with bite
(teeth) and facial/head muscles.
Take care. You should be okay if you can
just get through the next months.
Remember, no popping the joint though.
Baby your jaw for now.
Carol
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JMH
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 27 Feb 2006 Posts: 1
Posted: 02-27-06 15:19pm
I can totally relate to you!
I am 26 years old and until 3 years ago
considered myself to be in good health.
3 years ago I was "diagnosed" with mitral
valve prolaspe. In the past year I have
been diagnosed with gerd and take protonix
every day (probably for the next couple of
years at least) to help heal my esaphagus.
I had 7 teeth out (all 4 wisdom and 3
others for braces). I have gotten
braces. I have had them for almost
exactly a year now and will probably have
them for another year.
Most recently, I developed an ear
infection. This was very strange for me
as I have never even had an ear ache. I
took antibiotics and after a week or so it
was gone. Now 3 weeks later my ear is
hurting again. I went to my pcp last
week and he informed me that my ears are
in perfect condition. That
instead.......He believes that I have tmj!
Now, not like I need anything new to add
to my list. I have ear pain, pains in my
neck, teeth and jawline. I really
thought my infection was back.
Sadly for me my mother has this disorder
as well as rheumatiod arthritis so
hopefully this will not be a sign of
things to come for me.
I have an appoint with my orthodontists
next week and am going to ask him about
it. I may also call the oral surgeon who
took out my wisdom teeth just before
having my braces put on to see if he has
any information for me. I have noticed
since I have gotten braces that I clinch
my teeth rather tightly when I sleep. I
thought it was stress related.
What amazes me the most is that I keep
thinking that there must be some kind of
link between all of the "disorders" or
"diseases" that I have. Or at least that
would make sense to me. It is also very
strange for me that I lived a fairly
healthy life until just the past few
years.
