Im not sure if any of you know what TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint Disorder) is. But I believe that I may have this. It's not anything bad, thank god

But every time I yawn or eat a sub where I have to open my mouth really wide, my jaw crack. Loud too. That anyone sitting beside me can hear it. It doesn't hurt at all, it just cracks.

Now, In June of 2006 I did get all my wisdom teeth taken out. I don't know if that might be the cause. But that was so long ago.

Does anyone have more information on what this is and what I can do? Or what is usually done to treat it? I would hate to have to get surgery again :-(

Hi, HotPotato2009!

I have TMJ really badly! As I've gotten a lot older, it's not as bad as it used to be.

I was advised by a dentist, years ago, that wearing an appliance to correct it might help. Having wisdom teeth removed and getting braces can also potentially help.

However, you've already had your wisdom teeth removed...

There's also then the possibility of having surgery or maybe using muscle relaxants.

Does your jaw crack all of the time, or just sometimes, please?

Thanks!

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Originally Posted by HotPotato2009

Does anyone have more information on what this is and what I can do? Or what is usually done to treat it?? I would hate to have to get surgery again :-(

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My sister had it and suffered with it, couldn't chew and eat, went to a good chiropractor that a friend had recommended, and, after a couple of adjustments on her jaw, was fine, never had problems afterwards. If I had TMJ, I would certainly give a chiropractor the chance to work on it.

I'm glad that your sister was able to benefit by the adjustments, Wondergirl!

Mine is so severe though, that I can even play tunes by using my jaw!

@ Clough - what is a muscle relaxant? It cracks all the time. Anytime I yawn or eat something where I have to open my mouth really wide is the only time it cracks

@ Wondergirl - So your sisters jaw use to crack and now it doesn't? Cool. Chiropractor... do you have to have insurance for them?

Oh boy Clough!! I can't even imagine!

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Originally Posted by HotPotato2009

@ Wondergirl - So your sisters jaw use to crack and now it doesnt? Cool. Chiropractor...... do you have to have insurance for them?

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Yup, she audibly cracked. Many insurance companies will cover chiropractors. If yours doesn't, talk with the chiro about his/her fees and how to work out payment. Most of them will be very agreeable. Plus, you won't be going for the rest of your life. A few treatments should do the trick. (I think my sis had had two. The chiro would hold her head in his hands and suddenly move part of her jaw one way or another.)

Wondergirl - Oooo... sounds like it hurts lol having your jaw move. How was your sisters experience? Did she say that it hurt at all?

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Originally Posted by HotPotato2009

@ Clough - what is a muscle relaxant? It cracks all the time. Anytime I yawn or eat something where I have to open my mouth really wide is the only time it cracks

@ Wondergirl - So your sisters jaw use to crack and now it doesnt? Cool. Chiropractor...... do you have to have insurance for them?

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A muscle relaxant relaxes the muscles so that they aren't as tense. That's part of the problem with mine is that my muscles are really tense.

Do you do any activities where you need to be jutting out your lower jaw a lot? I know that might sound like a silly question. But, my problem started happening in junior high school when I would be playing really low notes on the tuba!

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Originally Posted by HotPotato2009

Oh boy Clough!!! I can't even imagine!

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I do pretty good, especially with "playing" Yankee Doodle!

The danger is, that the joints, when rubbing against each other in a way, other than the way in which they were intended to, can cause the bones of the joints to wear away. Then surgery is inevitable.

I know of someone who had to have surgery because of the bones wearing away.

@ Clough - No... but I do have a little habit of biting my bottom lip... if that counts as jutting out my lower jaw

@ Clough - So, an example of a muscle relaxant would be?

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Originally Posted by HotPotato2009

@ Clough - No...... but I do have a little habit of biting my bottom lip....if that counts as jutting out my lower jaw

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I have to jut mine out in order to put my upper teeth on my lower lip about an inch. I can feel and hear my jaw move when I do that. I also have a bad overbite(?), I think that it's called...

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Originally Posted by HotPotato2009

@ Clough - So, an example of a muscle relaxant would be?

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I don't really know all of the ins and outs concerning muscle relaxants. Please click on the following link.

Muscle Relaxants - Google Search

@ Clough - lol why haven't you gotten it looked at? What are you waiting on?

I'm afraid of surgery for it and I've learned to live with it. It's not as bad as it used to be.

I quit playing the tuba for many years because playing it made the condition worse. I'm now able to play the tuba again, though.

Wow, that really sucks! Yea, I'm with you on the surgery thing. I'm afraid of it too. Shoot, I was afraid to get surgery when I got my wisdom teeth out.

So would this be a medical thing? Cause a lot of people say that it sounds like a medical thing. That I would have to go to the doctor.

Have you ever had x-rays done of your jaw to see how things are truly aligned in it?

I've had x-rays done at the dentist before. I can't remember if I've had a x-ray done at the doctor. It's been soooo long since I been to the doctor... or the dentist for that matter.

If it were me, I would go to a chiropractor and have x-rays done and see what that person has to say. Going to the chiropractor would be the least expensive route.

Wondergirl did write that adjustments by a chiropractor did work for her sister.

I've had a chiropractor in the past wanting to adjust my jaw. But, mine has been so out of place because of the stretching going on, that I didn't think that manipulating my jaw was going to be successful. So, I didn't let him do anything for me.

That doesn't mean that going to a chiropractor won't work for you, though.

I need to get to an appointment now to tune a piano for a customer...