Arthritis in the jaw

knuckleduster

Not sure if I'm developing arthritis in the jaw, all I know is that it feels very uncomfortable. So, who should I see? Dentist or Doctor?

Lovely morning here in very sunny Essex. Escaped the so called "great storm" unscathed and hope everybody else did too.

Janet xx

Sezeelson

See your specialist and make a big deal out of it!!!

If it is something to do with dentistry or you need a shield or brace type thing fitted they will then refer you. I was supposed to have a shied made for night time as I grind and clench my jaw but they just never sorted me out

I was also supposed to have an injection but again, I was let down. Needless to say, I'm with a different rheumy now! Lol

Anyway, the arthritis in my jaw is so bad now that yawning puts me on the floor! I can't eat or talk properly on the morning as I can only open my mouth a few cm. I can only fit one finger between my teeth and even that hurts.

It's really, really horrible so please don't let it get any worse!

Good luck!

dreamdaisy

I would begin with your rheumatologist or GP and take advice from them. DD

maria09

Hi
I think I have the creaks and clunks my jaw makes plus I can't open my mouth very wide
My Rheumy told me to ask my dentist
My dentist tried to take an X-ray but I couldn't keep the little X-ray plate in
She said she would refer me to the dental hospital and I would probably need a mouth guard at night my answer was no thank you I will keep with my clunking thank you very much! I'm such a wuss!
Hope they get you sorted
Maria

barbara12

Yes see your Rheumy ..your dentist can take xrays but might tell you the same...hope its good news..if you haven't got a rheumy ask your GP to refer you ...good luck x

jillyb1

When arthritis first attacked my jaw ; the rheumy said , " that''s really a problem to consult the dentist about " ; the dentist told me , " your rheumatologist will deal with that " ! Like many others , I get on with it ; my hubby loves the fact that it takes a while to get my jaw moving properly at the start of the day !
Jillyb

knuckleduster

Thank you everyone for your kind replies.

I've got an appointment with my dentist tomorrow, which surprised me as usually you have to wait for a month for a non urgent appointment.

I could have gone today, but it was the first session of a six week Expert Patient Programme and I didn't want to miss it. Have come home with an A4 size book on Self-Management of Long Term Health Condtions of 270 pages in length. It covers just about everything, but at the end of the day it's really just good old common sense and is something we all practice every day when we have to live with 24/7 pain. There are six ladies and one lone man on the course, all with different ailments. But does that ratio mean ladies are more prone to painful ailments than men, or do men just battle on regardless?

Janet xx

dreamdaisy

I think it means that we are more susceptible to these things. Men feel pain more keenly but we are more prone to the auto-immune nonsenses of life. I blame hormones. DD

Sezeelson

I know women are effected by arthritis more then men are. I think it's a mixture of the both though!

My dad broke his back and still got up for work every single morning even though he couldn't put his own socks on silly man

DebbieT

Hi,

I have PsA in my jaw. My Dentist said she'd happily refer me but I've already got a night guard & the meds I'll be on will help it more than any Dental team could. I thought .. Oh, ok .. Haven't thought of it again until I read ure post.

Xx xX

knuckleduster

Have been to the dentist and he doesn't think it's arthritis. He had a good feel around and thinks I probably slipped the disc in my jaw and it has gone back in, but has left the muscle bruised and that is the pain I am feeling.

Treatment:- Eat only soft foods and small amounts which require little chewing for two weeks. If I feel like yawning, put my hand under my chin so I don't open my mouth and clean my teeth without opening my mouth wide. Apply heat and cold to the muscle.

Thank goodness for that piece of good news.

Janet xx

Starburst

Hi Janet,

I'm glad it's not arthritis but ouch at the slipped discs. Due to my RA, the jaw discs are permanently out of place, so I feel your pain. I don't find heat helpful but I press ice to my jaw quite often.

Sounds like you got good advice and a good dentist!

angelwingsc

This is my first posting & I appreciate being accepted to this forum. I have suffered with TMJD for 20 plus years. I was a former DJ & I had to quit my job. My dentist sent me to the University of Louisville, KY, School of Dentistry & I was seen by the Professor of the College. After the exam, he told me that the cartilage is totally gone between both sides & the next option would be sugery. I came home & did some research on the web & all I read was Horrible stories, so I didn't return. No one knows how this has turned my life around. As a Pastor's wife, I play the piano & I try to sing on Sunday mornings. I do ok with the singing & talking with our congregation, but once I come home, I'm in so much pain in the jaw area/face, I have to use muscle creams, tens unit & take meds. It's HORRIBLE!! It causes my head to hurt badly & for the next two days, I'm unable to talk. I've worn a mouth guard, in which I had to pay for out of my pocket from my dentist. $2100.00. It brought little comfort. I'm now awaiting on my partial to be completed that I lost while in the hospital. It should be ready in two weeks. Lot's of people don't understand, so I'm thankful for this website. TMJD has ruined my life!!! BTW: I've also had 3 neck fusions & I have a rod, plate & screws in my neck. I recently ruptured a disc in my neck & I'm praying that surgery can be prevented!! The cold weather/rain brings on horrible pain. I eat soft food & No chewing gum! Thank You for letting me share my Story & I Pray I've helped someone with my story... Again, Thank You for Accepting Me!!
I also have Fibro & Arthritis...Sometimes, it's difficult to decide between which one is hurting....

stickywicket

Hello angelwingsc and welcome to the forum. I'm sorry you've had no replies but I think, because you tacked your story on the back of another thread, people have just not seen it. It would be lovely if you would copy it onto a new thread of your own then everyone will realise you're here

I'm sorry to hear of all your problems. It must be so much harder to have a chronic disease in a country where medical stuff has to be paid for privately.

I have RA but for so many years that I also have OA. I do have it in my jaw and neck but, although I've not much movement in either, the pain isn't bad these days.

Please join in on any posts. This forum is where we talk about all things arthritic and Chit Chat is for non-arthritic talk.

dibdab

Welcome aboard angelwings,

I too have jaw arthritis, developed it in my early twenties and the gp suggested it's more common on women than men because the cartlidge is softer? Not too sure that it's true- but better than my husbands suggestion that I talk too much!!!!!!!! Seriously though-I now know what triggers pain in terms of foods etc and mostly just avoid it.

Deb x