TMJ Clenching/Teething? Guards, meds, etc

I got diagnosed last Thursday with TMJ. After 4 months of going to ENTs and 5 weeks ago going on Lexapro thinking the weird feeling in my throats and neck were globus.

Here are my questions:

Buy a guard off amazon or pay 561 for a dentist made on? If not a dentist made one, which brand?

Excerises or relaxing movements?


What medications to reduce swelling or help?

I figured I would ask the experts. I have health insurance but between ent visits, pcm, and counselor visits. I need to catch up a little. Lol

Ozarker first I like your user name. I grew up in the Ozarks, Yellville to be precise. I am trying to taper off antidepressants, work on my tmj symptoms so I can drive home for the Turkey Trot Festival.

Thanks for input. I am going to suck it up. I already went to my dentist. He is the one that diagnosed me. $561 hurts if insurance does not cover it.

I bought a cheap guard from Walmart and it has reduced my symptoms in half in just a couple of days. In addition, I was worried because it seemed like my doctors would never figure what was going so just knowing has helped too.

I have had a mild case of TMJ before.

Honestly, your best bet is massage. Head, neck, shoulders, and the jaw itself. I had physical therapy when I had the TMJ. Surprisingly, after she massaged my neck (which is always extremely tight), all of the muscles relaxed enough that it wasn't making my jaw pop so much.

Also, physical therapy will give you mouth exercises you can use to strengthen the muscles in your jaw.