question for a dentist

[busiscoming2]

Hi
Im goingto see doc today about a pain I get sometimes in my left temple. Could this be connected to a dodgy tooth? When I get the pain it does not seem to relate to any of my teeth at all, but I do have a sensitive tooth on my upper left side and just wondered if there might be a connection.
The pain in my head lasts for a couple of days and isn't so bad it stops me doing things.
Any comments welcome.

[Toothsmith]

Could possible be a tooth clenching/grinding problem.

See what doc says, but go and see a dentist too.

[nibs]

hi toothsmith, yet another question for you - my ds has a very loud clicky jaw. About 8 months ago it kept locking first thing in the morning but thankfully thats stopped now but the clicking is really bad.

Anyway, doctor says tell your dentist and dentist said he's got to live with it.
I thought there was a brace he could wear at night but dentist doesn't want to know.

Any ideas pls.
Thanks in advance

[busiscoming2]

Thanks toothsmith, Dr didn't really know what it was (surprise, surprise!). I think I do clench my back teeth together, but don't realise I am doing it. If it is this is there a solution to it?

[Toothsmith]

hi toothsmith, yet another question for you - my ds has a very loud clicky jaw. About 8 months ago it kept locking first thing in the morning but thankfully thats stopped now but the clicking is really bad.

Anyway, doctor says tell your dentist and dentist said he's got to live with it.
I thought there was a brace he could wear at night but dentist doesn't want to know.

Any ideas pls.
Thanks in advance


How old is he?

Jaw problems can occur quite frequently during growth spurts. Locking isa more serious problem, and personally, I would want to investigate a locking jaw a bit more thoroughly.

The fact it's gone away now though, means it can't really have been a too serious a problem.

[Toothsmith]

Thanks toothsmith, Dr didn't really know what it was (surprise, surprise!). I think I do clench my back teeth together, but don't realise I am doing it. If it is this is there a solution to it?

Night bite guard, or an occlusal splint could easily help. Go and speak to your dentist about it.

[baby_fuzz]

Hi
Im goingto see doc today about a pain I get sometimes in my left temple. Could this be connected to a dodgy tooth? When I get the pain it does not seem to relate to any of my teeth at all, but I do have a sensitive tooth on my upper left side and just wondered if there might be a connection.
The pain in my head lasts for a couple of days and isn't so bad it stops me doing things.
Any comments welcome.
Sometimes I get headache from:
blocked sinuses - I have hayfever
when I've been straining my eyes - perhaps you need to see an optician?

and I know someone who cann't tolerate cheese or mayonnaise, as it gives them a migraine - could it be diet related?

(I also had a freind who went out on the booze the night before and had a headache the following morning... ;) :D )

[busiscoming2]

baby_fuzz had eyes tested about 6 months ago - all fine. Not a hangover nor food intolerance.

Toothsmith I shall see the dentist and suggest the above to him (if he doesn't)!

[nibs]

How old is he?

Jaw problems can occur quite frequently during growth spurts. Locking isa more serious problem, and personally, I would want to investigate a locking jaw a bit more thoroughly.

The fact it's gone away now though, means it can't really have been a too serious a problem.

He was 16 when it was locking and it was always in the mornings.
He is now 17. The noise he makes when eating is a very loud clonking and sounds like its going to pop at any time but hasnt thankfully.

[Toothsmith]

That's about the prime time for problems (Exam stresses etc) Might get worse again around 18 if he's doing 'A' levels, but chances are it will go away by itself.

He should be encouraged NOT to click his jaw. Not take big mouthfuls, do little polite yawns and such like. Every time he clicks it, he's rubbing the bone against the inflamed cartilage, and irritating it more. Some kids almost do it as a party trick! That won't help!!

[skintchick]

I have a TMJ problem (jaw joint) and I have had it years. I had an occlusal splint and that didn;t make any difference. It was caused by a combination of a car accident where I got very bad whiplash, and anti-depressants that made me clench my jaw.

Anyway, I had an arthroscopy where they clean the joint out which helped temporarily, but now I've learned to live with it. I have monthly chiropractor appointments in which my jaw muscles are worked on which makes a HUGE difference, so I'd recommend that for a jaw problem.

They are notoriously hard to fix once you have one and usually can only be managed not cured.

I found that for mine (it dpends on your exact problem) massaging the muscle above the temples, and those that run up the side of the neck, can relax them enough to ease the clicking and pain.

The chiropractor does that too but better than I can as she works really deep. It's not cheap but well worth it IMO.