Anxiety and TMJ?

[really_fed_up]

I've had anxiety my entire life (in my 30's now), and recently developed a bad case of TMJ (Temporomandibular joint disorder)--the pain is so severe some days that I can hardly open my mouth. I'm on medication for anxiety, which does help, but I wonder if my TMJ is related? Has anyone experienced this?

[Done-With-It]

Originally Posted by really_fed_up

I've had anxiety my entire life (in my 30's now), and recently developed a bad case of TMJ (Temporomandibular joint disorder)--the pain is so severe some days that I can hardly open my mouth. I'm on medication for anxiety, which does help, but I wonder if my TMJ is related? Has anyone experienced this?

Most likely Yes. JMO and from what I know, but TMJ is often caused my grinding your teeth. Usually people w/TMJ grind their teeth at night when
they are stressed or have anxiety.

I've had it since I was a kid. I remember in High School my jaw would lock.

It was so scary......

Have you tried a night guard?

[nandm]

I read the title to your thread and thought that is me. I have chronic anxiety and also TMJ. I started wearing a mouth guard at night because the grinding of my teeth in my sleep was so bad the inside of my cheeks would be chewed up by morning. I had constant teeth marks in my cheeks. I just picked up one of those sports mouth guards for a couple of bucks, the ones through the dentist are expensive, this works great. I wear it at night, it isn't real attractive but I don't wake up with sore jaws, or locked jaws any more. I also try to be aware during the day of when I am grinding and stop myself when I am.

[barb dwyer]

hi really -

yes, I've had it, too.
I had minor jaw surgery for the problem six years ago -
because the bone had begun to deteriorate with the constant flexing and resulting bad teeth - a bone infection damaged the bone.

it was 'in office' -
but had to be done by a surgeon just the same.

grinding at night I *think* was called 'bruxism' by the surgeon who did my owrk.

I've never been able to bite things -
like just pick up a thick h'burger and bite into it -
my jaw is perma-locked,
I have always had to stop and think about it ...
(unlocking the clench)
before the jaw will unlock to bite foods.
I still do it -
have broken two sets of dental hardware since that time.

I don't know if it ever stops, to be honest.
I know it has taken years to stop myself
several times per day -
or whenever, and 'check' to see if I'm "clenching".

Remember your mom saying stuff like
'don't do that your face will stick that way?"
well guess what -

She may ... have been right about this one thing.

[angelgirl]

I also struggle anxiety/panic attacks, and have also recently ( in the past year ) realized I believe I have TMJ. Although I have not officailly been diannosed, I know I have it. I have terrible teeth grinding trouble at night, and I have been having pain in my jaw, very very often, probably a few days a week, and it soemtimes goes into my neck, and also at times into my head, causing a headache. I know I need to get a mouthguard too. I was looking at them at Walgreens, they sell them. I would think walmart and most stores probably do.

I know the anxiety is definately an issue with what is going on with my mouth, although
mine started with a mouth surgery too..


Becky

[barb dwyer]

Angel - did you have the same thing?
I remember the dentist would keep saying I wasn't opening my mouth -
well, I was opening it as far as I UNDERSTOOD it COULD open - .
.. that was when I was a kid.

I remember people saying
'you carry your tension in your jaw - I can see it working'
and I like ...never understood what they meant.

ALso - it'd 'pop' all the time.
SO I never chewed gum.
It'd give me incredible headaches.

The ONLY thing I never got in trouble in school for.