What causes TMJ

I have terrible tmj, which I think I got before lyme. But it's possible that the lyme gets into the jaw joint and muscles and cause issues. I also think the stress causes you to grind at night. So I think it's both.

I'm going to a holistic dentist soon, so I'll ask. But there is a ton of bacteria in the mouth. Sometimes when teeth are pulled or any dental work is done, there is bacteria that is left behind that gets trapped and causes pretty big issues. Look up cavitation.

Oh, I hope you don't suffer from this…

I developed TMJ as an 8-yr old. My mom worked for an oral surgeon at the time and he and my mom declared it was joint damage that occurred when I was hit on the side of the head with a ball. Maybe. I also had a wee tiny little mouth and big teeth so I had a lot of dental work when I was little to remove teeth and stuff. I remember my dentist using what is called a "raincoat" to pry my mouth open to work on it and then he'd leave me sitting there for an hour or so while he did who knows what. I'd sit like that for 2-3 hrs during my appts. I think that also had something to do with it. And when the joints and ligaments became swollen or agitated I think it caused me to grind my teeth at night, which then made it worse. I also had a very stressful childhood and I think that also exacerbated the grinding, making the TMJ worse.

I do believe that bacteria could cause the joint to swell, which then causes the ligaments, joint, and muscles to have to interact differently because of the swelling, which could cause the grinding. In my case, I had worn down the ligaments so much that I had bone-on-bone movement. A lot of scar tissue can build up too, which isn't supposed to be there, causing pain and swelling. And from what I've read, once you have those issues going on, it's like a never-ending cycle because those issues cause more agitation, pain and swelling and bring on more grinding, etc.

I continued to have severe TMJ issues all through my 30s. Until about 8 yrs ago. I can't pinpoint exactly why it got better but it did—and my migraines also got a little less frequent. I'd done a lot of study on meditation and pain control, which seemed to help. Another theory is that about 8 yrs ago I also started developing insane insomnia and sleeping issues and stopped sleeping deeply, which is when I was doing most of my teeth grinding.

But then, as I've done all this lyme research, I'm wondering if it was my first sign of lyme. I really don't think it was—I hadn't been out of the midwest until I was in my 20s. And I think I contracted lyme 15 yrs ago, not in my childhood. But, I know that it has been cited as a lyme & co. symptom.

-p

I meant bart....

No bats!! heh

It is very difficult to solve, yes. I sought treatment from several oral surgeons. They each gave me a mouthpiece to wear at night, which wasn't covered by insurance ($800) and I would spit them out in my sleep—lost every one of them. And then I read that if the bite designed into the mouthpiece is not just perfect, wearing them could cause even more problems and so many specialists have opposing opinions as to why people get TMJ (mostly women, interestingly) that I decided to stop wearing them.

They treat with botox now—which might be what I would have chosen if it continued to plague me.

I considered surgery, which also wasn't covered and read that it could cause even more damage if the right approach isn't taken. At first they were just going to clean out all the damaged scar tissue but eventually they told me I needed both discs on each jaw replaced w/ a plastic disc or something. I stopped going to see the surgeons.

And here I am all this time later, and gifted with lyme/bart/babs and all the complications that come with that, yet the TMJ is much better. Go figure.

And, after typing all that it occurred to me that I should point out exactly where the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is—your pain might be somewhere else. To find your TMJ:

If you place your hands gently on the sides of your face with your index finger resting pretty close to your ears—touching them. And then slowly, gently open your mouth—you should feel your joint kind of push out. That's where it is. If you're having pain in the lower jaw—beneath that area then it's likely something else. But could still very well be a bacterial issue. If it's nerves (Girlie) I'm not sure what to tell you… that does not sound fun. I've had great relief with my Naltrexone (MS med), which might be helpful.

For swelling:
Try cold/hot compresses;
Try sleeping on your back;
Give up the gum and chewy foods for awhile.

And if you still have problems in a week, you might want to check in with your dentist. I think a previous poster mentioned a bacterial infection and those are quite dangerous when it comes to your teeth/facial bones.

I get pain in my teeth sometimes but not as much as I did when I was having sinus problems——oh boy that was painful. You could also be having some sinus infection flare up if you're detoxing.

Hope this helps.

-p

Loring—

I might be off base by this suggestion—just let me know. I am not familiar with neuralgia in the jaw area so I'm not discounting your diagnosis.

But whenever anyone mentions that they had a root canal in the past, and that now they are having a pain "here' or "there" relating to their teeth, mouth, jaw, or face… I share some information that I have come across multiple times. Despite best efforts, many dentists do not do root canals effectively and they introduce an infection deep into the bone, or exacerbate an existing infection with the root canal work. This is the dangerous kind of infection—and worth digging up info on the web about it.

With your other history of tooth decay (wisdom teeth are famous for decay) sinus issues, and chronic pain…I would seriously look into the possibility that you might have a bacterial infection elsewhere causing the pain in your jaw. And I would find a good oral surgeon and see if you can get in on a free consult. Doesn't hurt to ask…

Also, in the interim, have you looked through Healingwell.com's other forums (dental issues) for info? I really hope you can find a solution —you shouldn't be in that much chronic pain.

-p

I had several root canals done on the right side, and the right jaw bone was sore to the touch for years. Eventually, each root-canal tooth felt like it was abscessed. The dentist said dead teeth cannot be abscessed, but those teeth hurt to touch and the gum around them was infected. When these teeth were removed, a disgusting odor and taste came from each socket. Now I wonder if I was actually smelling and tasting a Lyme infection. And I wonder if whatever I was smelling could have been tested for Lyme.

Hi Pirouette:

Thank you for responding.

I have a number of things that have been diagnosed. Osteoarthritis in multiple joints, including the neck is one. Although you can have referred pain I know that I am having way too much head pain.

My Dentist cannot see major problems with my gums. The Dentist at a Toronto Hospital has a degree in oral pathology. This Dentist also cannot see major problems with my teeth and she states that it is Neuralgia. She did not do much investigative work, just looked briefly inside my mouth. With multiple problems you have to see so many Specialists. There is no one stop shop in Canada. I am aware that there could be arthritis in the jaw. This type of problem falls a bit between the cracks. The Medical profession believes it is a Dental issue but problems with the bone could be a Medical issue.

I was having severe pain when I had to have the root canals. The Endodontists can always see infection and you have to do something to rid of it. I did require antibiotics. Not sure if I should have had them pulled. There was hardly any tooth left. I always was concerned that at the time my permanent head pain began I had cut my toe on something sharp in a Lake. I was recovering from C. Diff. Tetanus is another Clostridium Bacteria. I mentioned it to all my Doctors. My Tetanus shot was still active when it happened. I would think I would be near death by now so I have to hope my Doctors are correct in this.

I have posted on many sites and Fibromyalgia has people with headaches.

Thanks for the advice. Will ask my Headache and Pain Relief Doctor. I sure could go for a visit to the Endodontists. Have had 2 MRIs of my head but there was no mention of my jaw. I always have x-rays done at the Dentist and had one panoramic one done several years ago.

Loring

Osteoarthritis in Multiple Joints, Fibromyalgia, Neuralgia, Chronic Daily Headaches, I.B., Hard of Hearing...

Pirouette said...
Oh, I hope you don't suffer from this…

I developed TMJ as an 8-yr old. My mom worked for an oral surgeon at the time and he and my mom declared it was joint damage that occurred when I was hit on the side of the head with a ball. Maybe. I also had a wee tiny little mouth and big teeth so I had a lot of dental work when I was little to remove teeth and stuff. I remember my dentist using what is called a "raincoat" to pry my mouth open to work on it and then he'd leave me sitting there for an hour or so while he did who knows what. I'd sit like that for 2-3 hrs during my appts. I think that also had something to do with it. And when the joints and ligaments became swollen or agitated I think it caused me to grind my teeth at night, which then made it worse. I also had a very stressful childhood and I think that also exacerbated the grinding, making the TMJ worse.

I do believe that bacteria could cause the joint to swell, which then causes the ligaments, joint, and muscles to have to interact differently because of the swelling, which could cause the grinding. In my case, I had worn down the ligaments so much that I had bone-on-bone movement. A lot of scar tissue can build up too, which isn't supposed to be there, causing pain and swelling. And from what I've read, once you have those issues going on, it's like a never-ending cycle because those issues cause more agitation, pain and swelling and bring on more grinding, etc.

I continued to have severe TMJ issues all through my 30s. Until about 8 yrs ago. I can't pinpoint exactly why it got better but it did—and my migraines also got a little less frequent. I'd done a lot of study on meditation and pain control, which seemed to help. Another theory is that about 8 yrs ago I also started developing insane insomnia and sleeping issues and stopped sleeping deeply, which is when I was doing most of my teeth grinding.

But then, as I've done all this lyme research, I'm wondering if it was my first sign of lyme. I really don't think it was—I hadn't been out of the midwest until I was in my 20s. And I think I contracted lyme 15 yrs ago, not in my childhood. But, I know that it has been cited as a lyme & co. symptom.

-p

Hey Pirouette! Really, really valuable to read your personal account of TMJ! I'm so glad it's much better now!!

I've never had it until this past month, but earlier this year I got a full mouth crown makeover, and unfortunately, they were really ill fitting, which caused an uneven bite, and I began clenching at night. I got imaging done and my current jaw joint damage, according to the doctor, isn't much... but to me it is because I've displaced my right jaw disc (and I'm feeling i may have displaced my left jaw disc yesterday too but can't be certain.)

The thing that concerns me the most is the swelling and subsequent muscle bulking/ swelling. Does there come a point where your jaw joint and TMJ muscles stop being swollen / bulked up by this? At the moment I'm using a splint to prevent me from clenching at night, and am thinking of getting a wash-out/arthrocentesis to "clean out" the joint, though my doctor has told me it's not really necessary in my case. I'm just so confused and have never had this before and wish I had never got my teeth changed.

Many, many thanks for sharing your personal experience, it's really incredibly valuable to read.