How to make TMJ easier to live with? -
01-06-2009, 08:39 PM
I've had TMJ for 6 years. It's gotten worse over time. Now my jaw hurts all the time, it always cracks and pops and goes'out of line.'I can't eat as much as I want/need to because it hurts so much to do the whole act of chewing. I clench my jaw at night. I currently have anti-inflammatory medication for other body pain, naproxen, 500 mg. It does absolutely nothing for the pain in my jaw.Now here's a question: I'm 26 now, and this stuff all started when I was about 20. When I was 14 I had braces, top and bottom teeth. I need braces again because my teeth have reverted back to their cross bite and over bite. I'm getting my braces in december. Do you think the braces will make the TMJ pain go away? I really hope so, because I'm scared it's going to get so bad that I won't be able to eat normally anymore.I don't really know anything about TMJ, so any info you can provide me will help a great deal.-i think getting braces now will help make my jaw better. i am very scared of having my jaw open for such a long time. Last january I had to have *one* cavity filled, and oh my god, I would have rather given birth. But I get to go through all that again whether I like it or not. I have been waiting for my dental benefits at work to go into effect, which is in 2 months. Last january when I had my checkup and that one cavity filled I also had 9 other cavities. yea.... it is going to suck a lot, i probably won't be able to eat for a while. But it needs to be done, I don't want dentures....
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