TMJ issue

[Misplaced Priority]

In cold water and after some time with the reg in her mouth, my wife's jaw will actually lock up. The doc says she has TMJ. Are there any exercises, medications or other precautions she can do to help prevent this? It is very painfull and requires her to end the dive early each time it happens.

 

[coach_izzy]

I can vouch for a customized mouth piece for the reg. The cheapest alternative is the Seacure moldable piece (about $25). It molds to the specific user and definitely relieves jaw fatigue. A custom made piece by an orthodonthist could run more than $100 if you're willing to spend it. There are other options that I'm sure more members will point out. Good luck

 

[asaara]

In cold water and after some time with the reg in her mouth, my wife's jaw will actually lock up. The doc says she has TMJ. Are there any exercises, medications or other precautions she can do to help prevent this? It is very painfull and requires her to end the dive early each time it happens.

The other options are MantaBite mouthpieces, a bit more expensive than the Seacure ones, and also the ones found on Aqualung regs. All three will keep the regulator in her mouth without having to bite so hard, however if she's not consciously clenching her teeth underwater, and if she's the kind that has her TMJ act up because of clenching her teeth, the Seacure probably isn't going to discourage that. It may actually make her clench more, because it would go further back in her mouth, and it's more easier to bite with more force closer to the back without noticing so much effort.

The MantaBite isn't something I've tried personally, so I can't say anything about it you can't find in reviews or on the website - apparently it has normal bite tabs, though. It has a sort of wing that goes between your cheek and your teeth to help hold it in. http://www.manta-bite.com/

The Aqualung ones, if she's never used one before, use a sort of arch at the top that goes behind your front teeth to hold it in a bit better, and from my experience, are less comfortable to bite hard on than normal bite tabs, but they still stay in better without much force.

How does she equalize? If she does a lot of jaw wiggling, that could maybe also bother her joints. And since you mentioned cold water, how thick is her hood? Maybe it's too cold in there - or too warm.

As everyone's body chemistry is different and I'm not a diving doctor, I can't tell you what muscle relaxants or other meds might help and still be safe to take before a dive, you'd have to ask someone who is.

 

[Bicster]

I have been diagnosed with TMJ ... I know, I'm a freak, because TMJ usually only occurs in females. The Sea-cure has been great for me. I don't even have to think about holding the reg in my mouth, and I can keep my jaw in a relaxed position. The swivel on my Atomic B2 reg seems to help, too.

 

[asaara]

It just occurred to me that even though I have TMJ issues, strangely enough, I *don't* seem to notice my jaw much when/after diving, only really pay attention to my mouthpiece if my reg gets knocked out or if it's rubbing on my gums and irritating them, or if I notice "Hmm, I seem to be clenching my teeth" but it's just a random observation, rather than because it's hurting. Doesn't seem to matter if I'm using even an ancient negatively buoyant metal Mares reg, I just don't seem to get enough jaw fatigue to make me able to shut up for a while after I surface...

Am I repressing memories of jaw pain for some reason? (narcosis? have I complained about jaw pain on these boards before?) Or am I just clenching my teeth enough at night that anything I might be doing underwater barely even registers relative to that?

 

[lilycat]

My dental office thinks the seacure or other molded mouthpiece is a good solution for the tmj diver (my hygenist is a diver - go figure).

Just a couple of deviations from the instructions for me:

1) I had to mold the mouthpiece upside down from the recommended configuration for my bite due to the thing rubbing my lower gums: better, but not perfect

2) Went to dentist and had him remove material from offending area.

I posted yesterday about this fix. If you get one and it isn't a perfect fit, you should try taking it to the dentist with you:
http://www.scubaboard.com/showthread.php?t=117542

(I mention this b/c if the thing fixes the tmj but isn't a comfortable device you'll be back at square one: the dentist might be able to fix the comfort issue and put you back on the road to a solution.)

Best of luck.

 

[coach_izzy]

... I know, I'm a freak, because TMJ usually only occurs in females...

Since when? Curious to get where this information comes from. TMJ stands for Temporomandibular Joint, and all conditions associated with its misalignment are referred to as TMJ for simplicity, regardless of gender.

Misalignments are usally the result of trauma that could derive from being hit in the face (as in fights, or sports accidents, or car accidents) or dislocations that stretch out the ligaments. Repetitive clenching and grinding are also known culprits. So what is exactly that makes this condition an occurrence mostly in females? Anything that we missed?:06:

 

[Bicster]

Since when? Curious to get where this information comes from. TMJ stands for Temporomandibular Joint, and all conditions associated with its misalignment are referred to as TMJ for simplicity, regardless of gender

I remembered my doctor telling me this. I just googled it, and found this:

TMJ Info Webpage

Both males and females can get TMJ diseases/disorders. However, 90% of those seeking treatment for TMJ are women, most between puberty and menopause.

For what it's worth, my symptoms were caused by clenching/grinding, and when they told me this, I learned to control it. I rarely experience symptoms anymore.

 

[coach_izzy]

Both males and females can get TMJ diseases/disorders. However, 90% of those seeking treatment for TMJ are women, most between puberty and menopause.

Ahhh, it's just a case of misinterpreted data. That 90% of those seeking treatment for TMJ are women, does NOT mean that 90% of females (ergo the majority) have a much higher propensity to develop TMJ. An equivalent of this would be to say that because 90% of the divers in this forum dive with a backplate and wing system, then 90% of the divers of the world dive with a backplate and wing system.

The review of the study makes also an EXCELLENT point in bringing out the level of pain tolerance and the influence in strogen levels in joint integrity. From personal experience, I can relate that ALL my male athletes have some degree of TMJ (from mixed martial arts, kickboxing, soccer, football, even baseball) but they are always quick to dimiss it with a quick "Ah, it ain't nothing". Must be pride and toughness, and a slight concern as to be perceived with physical "weaknesses" As far as strogen and joint integrity, that always was (and still is) a hot topic ranging from things like hip joint angle (Q-Angle), to the female triad, and many others. So far, nothing really conclusive has come out.

Thanks for the article. Glad the seacure helped you with your TMJ. Happy diving.