Have you ever had a jaw issue or TMJ when going to dental exam?

I've avoided dentist for years because my TMJ can be painful if I keep my mouth open wide or too long. On top of that, I have a misaligned jaw. I know I need a cavity filled so made an appointment. They assured me I can take breaks if I get an X-ray or if it's filled. I'm still really on edge. Anyone else go through this?

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Heartlander · 80-89, M

I’ve had TMJ issues for much of my life after turning 20 which apparently led to frequent ear infections. It sometimes caused problems flying, especially at higher altitudes, and I had to be extra careful swimming and getting water in my ears.

I think I found the reason in my 50s. Holding on to my wisdom teeth for too long. They were impacted and had never exposed them and I ignored them until a dentist showed me how they were overcrowding my other teeth. So I had them extracted. I think that seriously reduced ear infections but still have some TMJ pain, though not as frequent.

Coralmist · 41-45, F

@Heartlander Do you feel you might clench your teeth at night? That is what caused my TMJ pain for years but also caused a misaligned jaw. I have not been to the dentist for years because of the pain. I'm sorry you got ear infections...that sucks. So glad removing wisdom teeth helped.
I get vertigo occasionally from my misaligned jaw..I just truly hope I don't get that from their work or even the Novocain

Heartlander · 80-89, M

@Coralmist Dentist visits can be uncomfortable, even painful if I have to bite down or stay open for a while. Even clamping dish on those X-ray films can be painful if the clench is too long.

When I lower my jaw and wiggle it there are always crackles and pops, same for when I yawn. Putting my fingers at the top of my jawbone, just a half inch from my ear opening and massaging helps disperse the tmj pain.

Prior to extracting the wisdom teeth, prolonged TMJ would occasionally progress to a serious headache. Sometimes the pain radiated down the side of my neck.

I didn’t have the issue when I was a kid or teen. Water in my ears never bothered me, no blocked ears. No jaw pain. By my 50s I was reluctant to put my head underwater in a swimming pool for fear of an ear block that I couldn’t clear, and even if I could clear it with hydrogen peroxide or wiggling I was left with the TMJ pain.