I went to the doctor for an excruciating earache that had persisted for more than three days. I couldn't sleep and laying my ear on a pillow. I had an earache prior so I was convinced this was the same. I went to an ear nose and throat (ENT) doctor and he saw me for about 4 minutes and said, "You have swelling and a bit of infection in your ear, but it isn't an earache. You have TMJ really bad. How do you even eat?"
I was so surprised because I thought this was for sure an earache. The doctor basically said 'I can't help you, go to the dentist for a "bite."' (A bite is like a retainer, but it fits over the teeth-usually to help stop grinding/clenching/biting)
I took Ibuprofen twice a day and tried to relax my mouth (I chew the insides of my mouth-gross, I know) and tongue. In two days, the pain was letting up.
I gave up gum (sort of) when I was originally diagnosed, so I thought I was in the clear. Apparently, the doctor says I secretly grind my teeth and clench my jaws a lot. By a lot, I mean A LOT. He said there's "evidence" of this.
(Jeez, alright already. I seriously can't help it)
I'm thinking of wearing my braces retainer all day from now on (to stop my mouth activity), but I can't speak coherently with it in my mouth.
Hmmm, what to do???
P/S: Why is it that when the doctor is late for my appointment (30 minutes) he says, "Oh, I'm running late, sorry." But if I were to be thirty minutes late I would get charged a fee and/or asked to reschedule.
I was so surprised because I thought this was for sure an earache. The doctor basically said 'I can't help you, go to the dentist for a "bite."' (A bite is like a retainer, but it fits over the teeth-usually to help stop grinding/clenching/biting)
I took Ibuprofen twice a day and tried to relax my mouth (I chew the insides of my mouth-gross, I know) and tongue. In two days, the pain was letting up.
I gave up gum (sort of) when I was originally diagnosed, so I thought I was in the clear. Apparently, the doctor says I secretly grind my teeth and clench my jaws a lot. By a lot, I mean A LOT. He said there's "evidence" of this.
(Jeez, alright already. I seriously can't help it)
I'm thinking of wearing my braces retainer all day from now on (to stop my mouth activity), but I can't speak coherently with it in my mouth.
Hmmm, what to do???
P/S: Why is it that when the doctor is late for my appointment (30 minutes) he says, "Oh, I'm running late, sorry." But if I were to be thirty minutes late I would get charged a fee and/or asked to reschedule.
