Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Disorder: Once is More Than Enough.

I had heard of TMJ but didn’t pay much attention to the talk. From my own experience with TMJ, this is no laughing matter.

I noticed a few headaches and a slight earache in the past month. I paid little attention, hoping it would pass. Then out of nowhere, I slipped and fell on a ceramic tile floor on my side with no impact to my face.

But I did clench my mouth hard. A couple of days later, I started to feel a deep pain in my jaw.

First, I didn’t know how painful TMJ could be. My face became swollen; my upper and lower teeth appeared to be no longer in line with each other. My first thought was this was no ear infection.

Especially on the right side of my jaw, swallowing and yawning became a painful chore.

Eating my usual healthy fare was no longer a priority. No more crunchy salads and cereals for me. Ice cream, pudding, soup, small pieces of soft sandwiches, and lots of pasta dishes became a reality.

I chose natural healing therapy to put off seeing a doctor or dentist if possible. I found several physical therapy exercises on the internet that were easy to follow. McDermott, A. (2019, March 8). What Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Exercises Relieve Pain? Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/tmj-exercises

During the day, over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications lessened my headache discomfort. Herbal comfrey infused oil, hot pepper apple cider vinegar, and white willow tincture for external jaw relief. Being a medical marijuana cardholder, a pain-fighting strain for at night for pain and insomnia.

Alternating a heating pad and cold compresses helped immensely pressed against both sides of my jaw for several minutes few times per day.

Reality set in when my TMJ did not go away overnight. My TMJ took four weeks to heal. In my case, TMJ had a lot to do with stress. I have a history of grinding and clenching teeth, under control until now.

I felt very vulnerable with TMJ. An experience I do not wish to encounter again soon. I have great sympathy for people with chronic TMJ symptoms.