Tmj Help!

[brian_dixon]

I have suffered from TMJ ever since I started diving with little troble untill I started useing a Zeagle reg. The reg was so heavy my jaw eneded up locked open after a long dive so I went back to my lighter Scuba Pro.

Last week I was at the Dentist's office for my regular check up and he recomended I use a Seacure mouth piece that would be more comfortable and be less work on my jaw.

I tried it this afternoon with my ScubaPro reg and it made things MUCH worse. My jaw was locked open after a 45min dive (even worse than when I used the heavier Zeagle!!). During my secound dive I took my reg our every so often and streched my jaw so it wouldn't happen again. I will be changing back to the ScubaPro mouthpiece ASAP!

Anyone dive with TMJ and have any solutions to make things more comfortable? Any Dentists out there have any opions when it comes to diving with TMJ? Thanks in advance.

 

[Firefyter]

Try the Comfo-bite type mouthpiece. My wife and I both swear by them, there is absolutely NO jaw fatigue. It's an orthodontic type mouthpiece, it sits right behind your top teeth, and there's nothing to clinch on. It's so comfortable that I sometimes get slackjawed and I get reminded to close my mouth when I take in water...LOL. Dive Rite Express has them for $12.95. Click here to see:

Comfo-Bite

Hope this helps.

 

[ScubaJewel]

Yes the comfo bite style mouthpieces are most likely the best. The pressure is greatly releived due to the fact that the reg more hangs from the uppers rather than needs to be clenched.

I'm a Dental Hygienist and I use one myself.

 

[DocVikingo]

Hi Bryan,

As others have said, the Comfo-Bite is a fine product.

You also may wish to consider the SeaCURE mouthpiece http://www.seacure1.com/.

Here is a brief item from The TMJ Association, Ltd which you may find informative:

"Question: I just returned from a scuba diving trip and have been experiencing headaches, pain in my jaw and ringing ears. Could TMJ problems be caused by scuba diving? (posted 07/07/04)

Answer: Because conventional scuba mouthpieces are typically poorly fitted, small and only support a few teeth, divers can experience jaw joint stress and inflammation. As a diver swims, the hose between the mouth and the air tank creates a small amount of drag, pulling on the mouthpiece. The resulting twisting motion can lead to TMJ dysfunction. A customized scuba mouthpiece that adapts to an individual's teeth and provides better jaw support is recommended. Like other joint injuries, TMJ problems caused by diving may get better with rest, relaxation, hot or cold compresses, and aspirin or anti-inflammatory drugs."

Regards,

DocVikingo

 

[Mark Vlahos]

Yes, another vote for the ComfoBite. My diving related TMJ ended with the use of this style mouthpiece. The only additional advice I can give you is that with the ComfoBite you need to relax your jaw. As others have already mentioned the regulator will hang in your mouth from your upper teeth, but only if you greatly relax your bite. The mouthpiece alone will not solve your problem.

As we all dive more we get more relaxed in the water and this also is a factor in this issue.

I have comfobite mouthpieces on all 7 of my second stages.

Best of luck,

Mark Vlahos

 

[brian_dixon]

Thanks everyone for all the advise! Like I said, the Seacure definetly did not help, it actually made matters much worse. I think I'm going to give the Comfobite a try. The only question I have is will it fit a ScubaPro secound stage? i remmember them being standard issue for Aqualung regs.

Thanks again for all the help!