TMD... how long should it last?

Question

I have TMD (temporomandibular Joint Disfunction).. basically what happens is I can't open my mouth wide. When I first got it about 3-4 months ago, it was whenever i moved my mouth side to side or up and down it would have a small pop. since then it's to the point where I can move my jaw side to side, but I can't even attempt to open my mouth wider then about an inch and a half without it popping extremely hard -- it almost feels like it dislocates, which it might.

I read somewhere that it's supposed to only last a couple of weeks to a month, unless it's caused by athritis or something. I know I don't have arthritis or whatever (i'm 14 and other than this completely fine).

How long is this thing going to last? I'm so sick of it.

Answer 1

you need to try resting your jaw...in other words no gum chewing, no talking on the phone for hours, and certainly no moving your jaw just to hear it crack.  The initial pop was what is called disc displacement, basically your jaw is made of two bones and a disc in between them.  if the disc pops out from between the bones you heard the click.  This disc is held in place by ligaments, if they get stretched out then it happens over and over again.  If you have limited opening its likely because the joint isn't working properly anymore.  Normally there is first a rotation that happens between the disc and your jaw bone, and then when you open really wide the disc slides down the top bone to help open even wider.  It would appear in your case one of these two things isn't happening.  If it doesn't get better soon then you need to go see a dentist about it

Answer 2

1--Adjust your habits....avoid chewing gum, ice, hard candy, beef jerky, corn nuts, and other hard food...

#2 Pain Management--Use a NSAID--Aleve, Motrin, work best on this type of pain (if you are not allergic to them)but, you want to take it for a couple of weeks straight.....even if it gets better.....you really want to knock it out.....

also---use warm, moist heat for pain relief, drugstores have the pain packs that you can warm up in the microwave...those are good (heating pad is not the same as it is dry heat, moist is better) you could also just microwave a wet washcloth...and use that , watch out for a burn....

You are probably 'holding your stress' in your jaw, so you have to be very aware of clenching your teeth and remembering to let your jaw relax until you have less symptoms and re-trained yourself...bend your head down and let the lower jaw hang loose.

It can be done.....and if you are young...will probably be just fine...,work on it.....good luck