TMJ???

So I need a little help TIA!

When I open my mouth very wide to laugh, chew, etc...I hear almost like a clicking noise on the left side of my jaw.
I have been reseaching TMJ and it doesnt seem bad but I get nervous, almost afraid that it will get worse.
I plan to go to my dentist to have him look at it but does anyone have TMJ or experieince this clicking?
I am not in pain at all and I hope it never gets to that but just wondering if anyone has experieince with this?

Thanks so much!

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I have TMJ but it was never enough to operate. I get stress headaches because of it sometimes though. If it clicks bad all the time then you should definately see someone.

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It doesnt click all the time but I do notice it now more so
I never had it and I swear I have had so many probs with my teeth in the past 6+ months, root canals, all 4 wisdom teeth pulled that I think that may have had something to do with it

Thanks!

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I have TMJ...it's more of a nuisance than anything else. My jaw clicks constantly; hurts if I chew bagels or anything that requires a lot of chewing; and when I have dental work done, the dentist has to stop periodically because my jaw tightens up.

I also grind my teeth at night which doesn't help. I was fitted for a night guard but won't wear it because it makes me gag.

But the ABSOLUTE worst that ever happened to me because of TMJ was in high school. My jaw locked SHUT for a whole WEEK!!! I could only drink through straws. I couldn't sneeze, laugh, cough or yawn. It was the most excrutiating pain I had ever felt (up until childbirth- ). Only good thing that came of it was that I lost almost 15 lbs!!

Message edited 8/23/2007 10:03:44 AM.

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I have it - the worst thing for me is that my ears are constantly ringing. I wear a night guard, but it doesn't seem to be working so far, so I am going back to my dr. on saturday. I actually see a dentist who specialized is in TMJ, my regular dentist referred me to him.

Message edited 7/13/2009 3:36:47 PM.

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I have it too from a car accident in 1999. It is the worst when my jaw locks up or the clicking noise when im chewing

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I used to have this...jaw clicking was the worst. I went to a specialist and I had a special retainer that I had to wear for a while. It helped and my jaw no longer clicks or hurts. This was back when I was in high school. I was also put on a diet of "soft foods only" for a short time...tuna, pudding, soup, etc. I did not have surgery.

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Hi Sweet Tooth
I was considering a TMJ specialist, where is the person you go to?
i dont grind my teeth but I used to clench my jaw quite a bit.

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I have it bad, since I was 17, so almost 15 yrs. I do need the operation but I cannot afford it.

I click constantly and get headaches and constant ringing in my ears...

But I can live with it.

I have trouble sleeping with the mouth guard, but it does help if worn consistently for a while.

Also, chiropractic care can help massage the joint to loosen it. I had success with that.

Once they show you the treatment, you do it at home.

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i had a special appliance that was made for me by a dentist on madison ave.
not a night guard

i also had injetions of lidocaine (i think that's what it was) in the tight muscles of my neck & shoulders then they massaged it after that

the dentist did nothing for me except give me those rubber night guards which wound up on the floor b/c i would take it out of my mouth in my sleep...

i saw a specialist in the city and not only did i get the appliance i also found out that since i have a slight curvature of the spine, i was off balance and go orthotics to straighten me out & i had speech therapy b/c i was a tongue thruster - pushing my head forward - all of this really helped me.

My friend did see the same dr. and once she go the appliance, she got horrible ringing in her ears but it was all related and she may have even had it prior to the appliance, but didn't know about it.

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both liz and i had this. a few visits to the chiropractor and the TMJ is gone!

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Message edited 8/23/2007 12:16:10 PM.

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Message edited 8/23/2007 12:14:41 PM.

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I developed it while wearing braces. It really does not bother me unless I am doing a lot of chewing, eatting something really hard, or stressed and clenching my teeth.

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Wow this is pretty common its crazy! I was reading abt it and it sounds like its also commmon in women!
I am trying to no open my mouth as much when I chew
I guess I will watch it, and then maybe see the TMJ specialist or chiropractor
My face is not swollen and I have no pain but I am almost afraid that it will get bad
Thanks again for everyones help/advice!

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Message edited 8/23/2007 1:33:55 PM.

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yes my jaw "clicks" when i move it...I sleep with a mouth guard that I got from my dentist...It helps with the headaches and muscle pain , however I still get the clicking

eta: the chiro was a temporary fix...never last more than a day the relief, I think b/c i clench my teeth so badly at night

Message edited 9/7/2007 8:08:31 AM.

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Thanks Kris!

Next question-does anyone have a good chiro to recommend, in Huntington, North Shore area?
TIA!