Top products from r/TMJ

I've been making lots of small and not-so-small changes that seem to be helping a lot:

• No more swimsuits that tie at my neck
  
• No more heavy cross-body purses
  
• Got invisalign. I've really benefitted from just knowing my teeth are protected = lowers my anxiety. Not to mention it's improving my bite, which is huge.
  
• Get massages from people who specialize in face and neck issues. This is really key for me. I also got a foam roller and lacrosse balls so I can work out my muscles at home.
  
• No more sleeping on my stomach. Huge improvement! Working on limiting side sleeping, but it's slow going.
  
• Yoga 1-2 times a week to stretch out my muscles and release stress.
  
  Things I'm working on and optimistic about:
  
• Going to a physical therapist specialized in TMJ. Went to one who wasn't specialized and reached a limit of how he could help me. Found a new person and currently jumping through the paperwork hoops to see them.
  
• Going to a therapist to work on stress management. Still too early to say on this, but I think it will be a huge help.
  
• Getting a specialized neck pillow for when I sleep. Just need to purchase.
  
• Improving ergonomics of my desk at work. This is an ongoing project, and I tend to slouch in front of my computer.
  
• Paying attention to and eliminating any habits that strain my neck. Even as simple as how I wear my hair!
  
  It's been a slow process of self care and self advocacy. Luckily things have been getting better steadily. My TMJ was triggered by stressful events about 2 years ago, so a lot of stress management work has helped me. Also, distance from the stressful events.
  
  I am currently reading The TMJ Healing Plan and recommend it highly: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0897935241/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_DOERDbEH6YKZC
  
  Good luck out there! I hope some of my own experience can be useful. I'm excited to read what's working for others.
  
  Edit to add: I was working two jobs for several years and this year quit the second one as a way to help simplify my life. While the money was nice, it wasn't worth the overall impacts on my life.

What does your therapist say about continuing amitriptylline till you're doing better pain-wise? Also discuss the dose and understand the side effects. Usually by the time you get to 50mg at bedtime the pain is improved, but you need to discuss the appropriateness of that with your therapist or PCP. What does he/she say about adding relaxation techniques to the counseling? In the long run, meditation, exercise, progressive relaxation, music, positive social engagement, etc. seems like a better option than medications (or at least a good adjunct if they remain necessary).

At this point the dental part of TMJ syndrome seems less immediate than the psychological part. Check out this book: https://stanfordhealthcare.org/newsroom/articles/2016/opioid-free-pain-relief-kit-10-simple-steps.html. it comes with a relaxation CD and you can get it used on Amazon.

This book also looks good (have ordered it but haven't read it yet). It sounds like it's the chronic pain reduction guide from the American Psychiatric Association: https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/1591470498/ref=tmm_pap_used_olp_sr?ie=UTF8&condition=used&qid=&sr=

I've been using these with my Android phone: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0117RFPCC/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

​

Very comfortable. Other earbuds would lead to discomfort, but these have been nice.

​

Unsure how well it works with a PC, it use's one three-pole TRSS connection (2.5mm jack with 3 rings on it; rings for left channel, right channel, mic, so if PC port isn't 3-pole mic input might not be applied.)

​

Alternatively, one can look for clip-on microphones that plug into the microphone port and attach them to some comfortable headphones or earbuds.

​

Not the best noise isolation though - the price to pay for comfort I guess.

​

On my desktop this is what I found works for me:

https://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-ATH-AD700X-Audiophile-Open-Air-Headphones/dp/B009S332TQ/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=AD700&qid=1562693195&s=gateway&sr=8-1&th=1

with https://www.amazon.com/Zalman-Zm-Mic1-Sensitivity-Headphone-Microphone/dp/B00029MTMQ/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?keywords=zalman+clip-on+mic&qid=1562693251&s=electronics&sr=8-1-fkmr0

​

for clip-on mics you might want to search for one that does a better job with noise cancellations. I'm recalling the zalman will pickup stuff like keyboard typing. I had to alter gain and other stuff to get it calibrated.

​

There is a less expensive AD500 model as well. I like the Audiotechnica's because they're quite comfortable. However, I know this isn't exactly the typical 'headset+mic' combo that get's used in sales. I got this equipment for video gaming, back when I still could do that years ago.

Okay I've been in your spot.

You NEED something. Especially if you're getting ear aches etc.

I used this for years. I'm in Canada and it was $30 over the counter for 2 of them. They have slightly different boxing for version of it. I got it at Walmart. Check Walmart and whichever grocery store is popular. Should be in the same aisle as toothpaste near the floss etc.

They say to use them til they're yellowish or something. I personally went as long as 3 months using one. I'd say use one per month.

I loved it more than the boiling versions. Super simple. Don't need to do anything to it. You can just use it.

Then eventually I went to a dentist and got a mouth guard made for $200ish (Canadian)

It just covers the top of my mouth. But it stays fit in place. It's similar to a sports mouth guard. Not meant to prevent grinding. Just to guard your teeth.

More expensive $1,500-2,000 options are what's called Occlusional Splints (sp?) and they're meant to keep the jaw aligned at night to prevent problems.

Anyway that over the counter one worked well for years. And now my night guard is working well. A dentist should be able to make you one for less than $200. Depending where you live etc.

Turn of the AC and use this for white noise - https://www.amazon.com/Marpac-Classic-White-Noise-Machine/dp/B00HD0ELFK/ref=sr_1_8_s_it?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1541728196&sr=1-8&keywords=white%2Bnoise%2Bmachine&th=1

Very effective - I have recommended it to many people who all have said it was a lifesaver! Apps on phones just aren't the same as this is a physical noise like an AC or fan would be.

I'm not quite sure what a flat top mouth guard would be but I like this one quite a bit. I had braces until about a week ago so I couldn't have the custom made kind. This one has provided a lot of relief for me though. I apologize, I use mobile so I can't make the link look nice-
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000ZN3D4C/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_1-LYCbYV9MQPR

I'm a Mind-Body Life Coach and I highly recommend Dr. Sarno's "The Divided Mind: The Epidemic of Mindbody Disorders".

I passed on the recommended jaw surgery myself, and keep my jaw functioning better with bodywork. I don't even need to wear an orthotic anymore. You'd be surprised just how much of a problem tight muscles can be. Everything we do is forward: keyboards, steering wheels, etc. Stretching backwards on my balance ball is one of my favorite things to do because it just feels so good.

If you can afford to go to a massage therapist that specializes in ortho-bionomy, you should definitely do that. I would like to be able to see mine more often.

https://ortho-bionomy.org/

Sure thing!

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00KYZA8DA/ref=yo_ii_img?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I feel incredibly strong about buying from this company. Their reviews have been stellar and your kit comes with several papers with thorough explanations on how to make sure it fits correctly. You can even correspond with them and send them your formed mouth guard if you need it filed down or trimmed. The best customer service ive ever had via Amazon, let alone on mouth guards, hands down.

Edit: fixed the link

I have a great over-the-counter nightguard, SISU Sova for $50 off Amazon that my dentist recommended, and it's helped A LOT.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00NBU4QX8/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1479446583&sr=8-2&pi=SY200_QL40&keywords=sova+night+guard&dpPl=1&dpID=41Wnek1VmoL&ref=plSrch

It's way smaller than any other guard I've seen, and I have a tiny mouth (had to get 8 permanent teeth pulled because there just wasn't room). I've used it for months and it's never fallen out or gotten chewed up at all. I have had a few weird gum-stuck-on-my-teeth dreams though, glad that's not just me....

Oh wow. Are you able to get ahold of some EarPlanes to see if they help? You already have a control that you have pain when flying. The reviews seem very promising.

Any way you can get these or find these before then?
https://www.amazon.com/EarPlanes-Ear-Plugs-Pair-Pack/dp/B001HTWL8C

I use chelates magnesium glycinate, which is readily absorbable. Any other kind gives me the shits lol. Make sure to take it with food. I use drs best


https://www.amazon.com/Doctors-Best-Absorption-Magnesium-Glycinate/dp/B000BD0RT0

I really like taking magnesium glycinate because it's one of the most bioavailable forms of magnesium and has the added bonus of quelling some of my baseline anxiety. I usually take it before bed, so no feelings of fuzziness here.

I use [KAL Brand] (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00013YZ1Q/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s01?ie=UTF8&th=1), but it looks like OP's brand is very similar.

These massage balls do wonders for me. I wake up 30 minutes early each day and give myself a deep tissue massage which is a thousand times better than stretching at least for me. I totally recommend you give em a try!

I use the Knobble II on my jaw sometimes and it seems to help about as much as using my hands or knuckles. Haven't yet found a good one for my neck.

https://www.amazon.com/Original-Reflexology-Myofascial-Pressure-Positive/dp/B0012136E8

I also use a jade roller sometimes since the cold helps me a bit

edit: added jade roller

https://youtu.be/EM18snVgV_c

Do these exercise 6 times a day until you start feeling better. Literally start to finish even tho they seem dorky. It will loosen that muscle which has tightened due to clenching. This started for me about 3 months ago. Now I do the exercises once a day but on days I take adderall/etc I do it more than once because I can feel my jaw clench. Also get some magnesium to start taking regularly. It will keep you from clenching too much. Rub the muscle that runs along your jaw regularly and be conscious not to let your teeth touch through out the day. Also get a night mouth guard. I got this pack and used the thick one and it works well.

Some people think it should be lips together teeth lightly touching.

TMJ healing plan is a good book on the topic.

I have one of these face ice packs (https://www.amazon.com/Face-Pack-Wisdom-Teeth-Chin/dp/B07N49F73N/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?keywords=ice+pack+face&qid=1562787521&s=gateway&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1) and it is great for pain

I have a small mouth and have used this one. Not currently due to sinus issues but the first timeci used it, it was life changing.
DenTek Comfort-Fit Dental Guard Kit, Night Guard For Teeth Grinding https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002WTCK4Q/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_uxEQDb78M52JH
Got mine at CVS

magnesium oil

I have a water pillow (linked below) that has totally changed my life. I’ve had it for over a year and it works wonders. It was studied at Johns Hopkins and is clinically proven to reduce neck pain.

I’m a severe bruxer and my physiatrist gives me Botox injections to stop the grinding and trigger point injections for neck and back pain. All of this (plus night guards) has helped immensely. I hope you can find some relief!

Mediflow Water Pillow

I bought these mouth guards and didn't have a problem molding any of them using the box instructions. I've also spent $400 twice on "specialty" mouth guards from my dentist and I've seen no real difference in my TMJ pain between them and the $20 ones.

With all that said mouth guards in general can be sort of hit or miss when it comes to TMJ pain. You should find out what's causing the pain first. If it's clenching then try molding a guard that prevents you from being able to clench. If it's overuse, soft food and warm massaging with ibuprofen is a good cheap start. I don't think medicaid or any kind of insurance covers TMJ stuff as I found out myself unfortunately :(