[kashumz]

My mom, for the past couple of days has been complaining about severe jaw pain and has been taking advil and aleve for it but it hasn't seem to help. She has also said she can't walk right anymore and keeps stumbling. Almost a month ago, she was also complaining of ear pain, like her ear drum was throbbing, and then after the pain was gone it was itching like mad. Could these be related? She doesn't have a doctor, and we can't afford one, so is this anything serious? Is it something that could become serious? I can't look anything up on Google because it keeps blocking it for violence. She doesn't take care of herself. She is overweight, doesn't eat right, and NEVER brushes her teeth. Her mouth is full of decayed, rotten teeth, and I think that this is the reason of her jaw pain. I have also heard that mouth problems can easily lead to blood poisoning and heart problems?

Can anybody give me the slightest clue one what's going to happen to my mom? She is 37, I think.

[N0help4u]

She needs to get to a doctor and get it diagnosed
Two things it could be is a sever ear infection that is throwing her equilibrium off or
She could have suffered a stroke. You really need to stress the importance to get to the dr before it gets worse. It may be something treatable and left untreated possibly get to a point of being irreversible.

It also could be due to poor oral hygiene.

[kashumz]

Thank you for your quick response.
I told my mom and she doesn't believe it. She agrees with the oral hygiene, but says jaw
Pain wouldn't be because of a stroke or ear infection.

[N0help4u]

If it was only jaw pain I would say it could be TMJ but with all her other symptoms I am not sure. She really needs to get a dr to evaluate her since it is effecting her balance.

[kashumz]

She doesn't have the ear symptoms anymore, those ended a while ago. I only brought them up wondering if they could be related.

What is TMJ?

[N0help4u]

Symptoms of Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Dysfunction - Strategies for Staying Healthy: School for Champions

TMJ Jaw Pain

[kashumz]

First one is blocked for drugs, but the second one works.

Perhaps she does have TMJ.

[N0help4u]

This is the one you are blocked from

Symptoms of Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Dysfunction

By Ron Kurtus (11 August 2005)

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is where the jaw joins the skull. Problems or dysfunction of this joint can result in jaw clicking, headaches, sinus problems and even loss of hearing. Injury or excessive stress on the joint typically cause the problem and s result in the symptoms you may be experiencing. There are direct and indirect symptoms that indicate temporomandibular joint dysfunction. If you suffer from some of these symptoms, there are chances you have TMJ problems.

You should evaluate all of your symptoms to make sure your problem is related to TMJ and not to some other ailment. Note that although doctors are supposed to do such an analysis, often they don't. Also, the more information you can provide, the better it is for determining the source of your problem.

Questions you may have include:

* What are the direct symptoms of TMJ dysfunction?
* What are the direct symptoms of TMJ dysfunction?
* What are some self-tests to perform?

This lesson will answer those questions. There is a mini-quiz near the end of the lesson. Health Disclaimer

(Also see: Causes of TMJ Dysfunction and Treatment of TMJ Dysfunction)
Direct symptoms

The direct symptoms come from injury or aggravation to the joint itself. These include:

* Clicking sounds when you open or close your mouth
* Locking of the jaw
* Noticeable change in bite

Clicking

If the TMJ has been severely irritated or there is a displaced disc at the joint, you may hear your jaw joint clicking, popping or snapping when you chew or even talk. This sound may be loud enough that others can even hear it. Although the clicking may not be painful, it is an indication that your jaw joint is not functioning properly.
Locking

Sometimes the jaw may actually lock or catch when opened. You must then move the jaw to one side or another in order until you feel a loud pop when the jaw unlocks. This can be uncomfortable, especially if it happens often.
Change in bite

Another symptom of TMJ is a noticeable change in your bite or dental occlusion. If the TMJ disc goes out of place, the parts do not fit together properly, you may find that the bite of your teeth is different and even uncomfortable.
Indirect symptoms

Indirect symptoms coming from TMJ dysfunction include:

* Tenderness in the facial muscles upon awakening
* Persistent headaches
* Unexplained pain in neck, shoulders and back
* Stuffiness or pain in your sinus area
* Hearing problems
* Dizziness
* Sensitive teeth
* Depression
* Light sensitivity

Tender facial muscles

Waking up with tender facial muscles is an indication that you are clenching your jaw during sleep, and that can case TMJ.
Headaches

Unexplained headaches is a common symptom of a TMJ problem. Usually a TMJ-caused headache is located in the temples or in the back of the head.
Pain in neck

You may feel pain in the shoulders and back due to muscle contraction, related to teeth clenching and TMJ.
Sinus stuffiness

A stuffy feeling in the sinus area can be a symptom of TMJ. A doctor examining your sinus usually will not see any congestion. A doctor unaware of this TMJ symptom may be puzzled and even discount the fact that your sinus feels stuffy. (Don't you hate it when they imply it is just your imagination?)
Hearing problems

Since the temporomandibular joint is close to the ears, injury or irritation to the TMJ can cause various ear symptoms, such as earaches, loss of hearing, and tinnitus or ringing in the ear.

Note that these hearing symptoms are not only a result of a TMJ dysfunction. They can be caused by problems completely separated from TMJ. For example, tinnitus may be caused by working around loud noises or taking too much aspirin or ibuprofen.

For this reason, many TMJ sufferers often first see their family doctor and an ear specialist before even considering seeing a dentist. Unfortunately, many ear specialists do not seem to consider TMJ and would rather prescribe a hearing aid as a solution.
Dizziness

If you are occasionally dizzy or disoriented, it may be an indication of TMJ dysfunction. This is because the inner ear--which is the area for the sense of balance--may be inflamed due to the TMJ problem.
Sensitive teeth

Your teeth may become sensitive because of clenching or grinding your teeth when the disc of the TMJ is displaced.

Sometimes people will see their dentist with the complaint of pain in the teeth, and the dentist does not recognize a TMJ problem. Unnecessary root canals and even tooth extractions may be performed.
Depression

Sometimes you may become depressed as a result of TMJ. This may be a result of lack of sleep, continual pain, and the fact that no one really believes there is a problem.
Light sensitivity

In some cases you may also suffer with photophobia or light sensitivity. A dislocated TMJ may produce pain in and behind the eye, which can cause sensitivity to light. Blurred vision and eye muscle twitching are possible extreme TMJ symptoms.
Self-tests

If you suspect a TMJ problem due to some of the above symptoms, you can perform a few self-tests to help verify your diagnosis.
Temple muscles

Feel your temples and then clench your jaw. You'll feel a muscle tense up under your fingers at the temples. Relax your jaw and press on that area. If you feel pain or tenderness, it indicates that you are tensing your jaw too much and the muscles are tender. This could result in TMJ problems.
Fingers in ears

Another test is to put the ends of your little fingers into your ears and press them forward, toward the front of the ear. Open and close your mouth several times. If you feel the head of your jawbone pushing against your fingers or feel a clicking, you could have the TMJ disorder.
Observations

Be aware of your body and any of the symptoms mentioned. Often you become so used to them that they go unnoticed.
Summary

Direct symptoms of TMJ dysfunction come from injury or aggravation to the joint itself. These include clicking sounds when you open or close your mouth, locking of the jaw, or noticeable change in bite. Indirect symptoms include facial muscle tenderness, persistent headaches, pain in the neck and shoulders, stuffiness in your sinus area, hearing problems, dizziness and sensitive teeth. Observe your symptoms before consulting a doctor or dentist.

[N0help4u]

I still think she should be concerned enough to see the doctor for her balance problem

[kashumz]

She is worried, but we just can't afford a doctor. I just wanted to know if she was going to die or not :(

[N0help4u]

You are from India or somewhere like that huh?
I would try to see if there are any clinics or somewhere that could see her.
Do you have emergency rooms or some where where you can make monthly payments?

[kashumz]

O_O.
I'm from Ohio..
In the USA.

I don't think my dad cares enough to spend that much money when it's supposably "her fault", seeing as she never brushes. Emergency room bills are expensive. My visit cost over 1,000.

[N0help4u]

OH I thought you were the one from India

I don't know this will help
If you can't find somewhere let me know what county and I will try and find one.

Free Medical Clinics and Free Dental Clinics in Ohio

Has she applied for medical help through welfare? If you are under 18 and household income is less than $24,000. (?) (2 people) she should be eligible.