How does everyone deal with tmj symptoms while in braces

[Braceblues]

I am 3 1/2 months of having braces. I only had the jaw popping before braces but I had a lot of crooked teeth and bad bite. Now my teeth are at their worst. She is still trying to make room to straighten a few of them. I have blue molar build ups to help with bite but now I am getting achy shoulder,neck and headaches. I am guessing from the teeth being way out of line at this point. How do I get through this till things get better. Has anyone else dealt with this while in braces? When did it start getting better? What did you do to ease it? Need encouragement that things will get better.

[wendydong]

last week or so, my jaw is always out of its socket when i wake up. I have to crack it back into socket. I bought a shock doctor mouthguard from amazon, will let u know how it does after i use it

[Steph30]

Hello - I just wanted to let you know that at first when I got my braces my TMJ was SO BAD - my mouth had a mind of its own and my jaw was constantly sliding over to one side - popping out - locking and sooo painful.. After a while in braces it got quite a bit better - but cold compresses (Wet cold cloths - not ice - the moisture is good) - And I also did heat as well - again not dry heat - use a hot cloth... at first your ligaments all loosen up so the teeth can move but eventually things settle down - my jaw is still not great but its improved at least 80%.. im still in braces now and hoping to be 100% when they come off.

[Braceblues]

Hello steph30,

I am so glad you answered my post. Thank you so much. I have been in tears all day and told my husband I wanted the braces off. Not that I can because my teeth are all moved out and slanted right now. As they say they will get worse before better. Thank you for the suggestions. I have so many questions I would like to ask you.

How long have you been in braces?
Did you just have the jaw problem or did it cause pain shoulder,neck and head pain too.
How long before you started getting relief?

I know I will think of more. Maybe I can pm you support? I so don’t know if I can do this. I would be thrilled if mine was 80 percent better at this point but she still has to move two more crooked teeth. My jaw and neck hurt when I try to chew food now.

[Steph30]

I will PM you - im happy to answer questions but keep in mind every person is different!

[SDFD TSchott]

I'm also in braces for my TMJ and have noticed the same thing. I Already lost track how long I've already had been back in braces but I have already noticed alot more popping of the jaw when I yawn and or chew and becomes very annoying.