OK to dive with TMJ discomfort??

[ECPaul]

My wife has occasional bouts of TMJ (tempero mandibular joint) pain, and she's concerned about diving when her TMJ is acting up, as this discomfort might "mask" some other diving-related problem.

So my question is whether or not any of the rest of you have this disorder and dive when you have TMJ discomfort.

Of course, I'd also welcome any unpaid, but professional opinions from diving dentists and orthodontists.

 

[Dive Right In Scuba]

I have TMJ........I dont think I have it as bas as your wife though....mine just cracks if I open my mouth too much...I dont have too much discomfort........how bad is the pain? The only thing I can say is to try it.....if its uncomfortable then abort the dive....Maybe try a local pool, quarry, or lake........give it a test run before your on the boat and waste more money if you have to abort

 

[Dive Right In Scuba]

Check out this site.....might be a better place for more info

http://scuba-doc.com/clinic/index.php?PHPSESSID=a1099fd89c665115ee829137de65b84e&board=18.0

 

[fisherdvm]

You might consider the mouldable personal mouthpiece - Seacure.

It is warmed in boiling water, and is fitted to your mouth and teeth. As it reaches in deep into your mouth and cover all of your teeth, you do not exert uneven pressure across your mouth like conventional mouth pieces.

It stays firmly attached in your mouth, so you don't have to exert much pressure to retain it. Your wife might find it very comfortable and does not aggravate her TMJ as much as regular mouthpieces.

 

[Dive Right In Scuba]

Ahhhh....yes great idea I didnt even think of that because my reg came with a longer mouthpiece.....Great suggestion!!!!

 

[AmyJ]

Have TMJ (once mouth locked shut for a week... good for my figure, but not for diving!)... but that was NOT diving related... never had any problems diving!

 

[texdiveguy]

I have TMJ issues and it does not effect my diving.

 

[Dive Right In Scuba]

WOW locked shut....thats horrible....mine has only gotten stuck open a few times when I was younger...but that was only for about 10 seconds or so.....but still horrible when it happened in school

 

[AmyJ]

WOW locked shut....thats horrible....mine has only gotten stuck open a few times when I was younger...but that was only for about 10 seconds or so.....but still horrible when it happened in school

ya... pretty much sucked.... especially at meal times... lol.... then weeks of therapy... "oh look .... we've opened another milimeter..... great job!" OH PLEEEEZ! I wanted a cheeseburger... not another milimeter....

 

[Dive Right In Scuba]

LOL Well at least its over