Adjusting mouthpiece for TMJ

[Genomik]

HI,

I have a mild case of TMJ disease that is better these days. I got it at first from snorkelling. Actually snorkelling probably exacerbated some underlying stress that made me begin to have symptoms. I started swimming 2 or 3 times a week with a snorkel and biting the mouthpieces hard. I stopped snorkelling for 6+ Months and its all better. So now I want to start diving more, both snorkelling and scuba. I actually have been snorkelling 6 months, mostly for fitness in a pool.

What I did was get a smaller snorkel and cut off the bite pieces so I essentially hold the snorkel in with my lips. I notice that mouthpiece size is variable. Some are large others small. This works pretty good I can swim for hours in a very relaxed way.

I have not scubaded in a fw years until recently and it made my jaw tired. The cable pushed on the regulator and the mouthpiece was large and heavy.

I know there are some custom mothpieces and they are interesting but they all seem to have a BIG profile in the mouth. It is as if most mouthpieces are designed to force your throat open much larger than you would have it on the surface. Air moves around pretty easily and I just need to have my teeth open a bit.

I also have teeth/bridge/caps that are getting a little weak and wish not to put pressure from the mouthpiece in my mouth.

My question is what can I do to get air that does not open my jaw and put lots of pressure on my jaw and teeth. I guess I can cut off bites pieces if there is no great reason for them. In general I am not doing olympic hardcore diving. I can hold it in with lips and gently open my jaw. Any other ideas?

I think there are heatable moldable mothpieces and the one that restes on the roof of your mouth.

Is there not something much thinner?

Are these mouthpieces something that was invested 50 years ago and has never evolved?

 

[fisherdvm]

SEACURE mouthpiece is essentially a TMJ dental appliance. If you want it thinner, you just warm it up and bite it harder. If you want to get rid of excess plastic, grind it down and sand it smooth. Only one problem, if you screw it up, you'd have to buy another one. At $30 a pop, you don't want to screw up making it too many times.

If you have TMJ - buys one for your snorkel, and one for your regulator.

 

[ronbeau]

HI,

I have a mild case of TMJ disease that is better these days. I got it at first from snorkeling. Actually snorkeling probably exacerbated some underlying stress that made me begin to have symptoms. I started swimming 2 or 3 times a week with a snorkel and biting the mouthpieces hard. I stopped snorkeling for 6+ Months and its all better. So now I want to start diving more, both snorkeling and scuba. I actually have been snorkeling 6 months, mostly for fitness in a pool.

What I did was get a smaller snorkel and cut off the bite pieces so I essentially hold the snorkel in with my lips. I notice that mouthpiece size is variable. Some are large others small. This works pretty good I can swim for hours in a very relaxed way.

I have not scubaded in a fw years until recently and it made my jaw tired. The cable pushed on the regulator and the mouthpiece was large and heavy.

I know there are some custom mouthpieces and they are interesting but they all seem to have a BIG profile in the mouth. It is as if most mouthpieces are designed to force your throat open much larger than you would have it on the surface. Air moves around pretty easily and I just need to have my teeth open a bit.

I also have teeth/bridge/caps that are getting a little weak and wish not to put pressure from the mouthpiece in my mouth.

My question is what can I do to get air that does not open my jaw and put lots of pressure on my jaw and teeth. I guess I can cut off bites pieces if there is no great reason for them. In general I am not doing olympic hardcore diving. I can hold it in with lips and gently open my jaw. Any other ideas?

I think there are heatable moldable mouthpieces and the one that rests on the roof of your mouth.

Is there not something much thinner?

Are these mouthpieces something that was invested 50 years ago and has never evolved?

My wife has TMJ and the combination of the Atomic mouthpiece and the Atomic swivel hose makes it very comfortable for her. In fact she added the Atomic mouthpiece to the SS1 (combo inflater and octopus regulator) also.

Both the mouthpiece and the swivel hose can be added on to most regulators.

 

[DandyDon]

SEACURE mouthpiece is essentially a TMJ dental appliance. If you want it thinner, you just warm it up and bite it harder. If you want to get rid of excess plastic, grind it down and sand it smooth. Only one problem, if you screw it up, you'd have to buy another one. At $30 a pop, you don't want to screw up making it too many times.

If you have TMJ - buys one for your snorkel, and one for your regulator.

I think that'd be one of your two best choices.

The other would be what I use since I don't want to have to hold my mouth piece hard with my dentures: Manta Bite, a Revolutionary Scuba Mouthpiece :: Dive with a Manta :: Manta-bite.com Their snorkel also looks interesting.

 

[annasea]

I've got TMJ as well so I thought I'd try the Seacure. I absolutely hated it!!! Instead, I went back to the mouthpiece that came with my Apeks reg -- comfobite, I believe.

If you find it unnatural to breathe through your mouth with your jaw tight, you may have a problem with the Seacure. I found unless I was holding it firmly between both upper and lower teeth, it was too hard to keep the reg in my mouth properly. But since I'm breathing through my mouth while on SCUBA, I prefer to have my jaw relaxed, hence the problem with the Seacure.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

[DandyDon]

Good point, Anna. I never had a Seacure. My home bud got one and increased his bottom time on a tank by 20% right away because it was more comfortable, but I don't know why he didn't like the standard mouthpiece.

The Manta that I use has fold back wings. Once they open againts my inside cheeks, it is there - don't have to grip it at all.

 

[annasea]

The Manta that I use has fold back wings. Once they open againts my inside cheeks, it is there - don't have to grip it at all.

I don't get it... you put that large plastic thing surrounding the actual mouthpiece inside your mouth as well?? Doesn't it rub/chafe along the edges or can you trim it down? I'd never seen that before. Thx for the link.

Another thing to consider is hose length and position. I was told if the hose is too short and/or sitting funny, it can pull the reg into an awkward position. Personally, I dive a 5' hose and have no problems because it wraps around and allows the reg to settle in nicely.

 

[DandyDon]

I don't get it... you put that large plastic thing surrounding the actual mouthpiece inside your mouth as well?? Doesn't it rub/chafe along the edges or can you trim it down? I'd never seen that before. Thx for the link.

Another thing to consider is hose length and position. I was told if the hose is too short and/or sitting funny, it can pull the reg into an awkward position. Personally, I dive a 5' hose and have no problems because it wraps around and allows the reg to settle in nicely.

Yeah, bend the wings, insert into mouth, let it relax. I never notice it. Not sure about trimming for a small mouth? They have a contact phone number I believe, and a money back return policy. I got the yellow one that glows in the dark.

 

[Genomik]

So I have done some diving and I have some results.

Snorkelling is much better with mouth pieces cut off completely so only my lips hold it in place. Works fine for me.

Scuba without teethpieces is tough cos regulator weighs alot. I did get a lightweight mouthpices tho. I did get a small mouthpiece and then I hold regulator in mouth with my hand so I do not use mouth to hold it in place.

MY jaw still gets sore tho.

Still searching for optimal solution.