Does a cold/sinus issue make TMJ flare up?

[MosMom]

A few weekends ago after suffering through a weekend of shooting pain in my jaw and feeling like my face was on fire my dentist told me I have TMJ. I don't really grind my teeth but I am a clencher. I was reading on the internet about some of the things that can cause flare ups and one was "sitting with your chin resting in your hand" and I was sitting like that as I read it. I sit like that all the time. After some pain killers and making an effort to watch what I do with my jaw I haven't had any problems since.

I have a bit of a cold and sore throat (drainage) and it feels like it is starting to hurt again. My ear feels tender and it aches in that joint area. UGH! I just took some advil but just wondering if sinus pressure can cause the pain to flare up.

By the way, when it was happening the first time I bit down on a wash cloth because it felt like biting down would help. Heh! I've never felt pain like that in my life. It put childbirth to shame.

 

[tiggersmom2]

Yes, sinus pressure can and will cause TMJ flare ups b/c your maxillary sinuses are so close to the TMJ (tempromandibular joint).

 

[Crankyshank]

Yes definitely for me because I have to mouth breathe and that causes my jaw to lock up

 

[MosMom]

Blech, I figured but just asked for the heck of it. Not fun stuff!

 

[ASFCurly]

always, for me at least, the pressure from the sinuses cause it to, but also whenever I have a cough it flares up from moving my jaw to much.

 

[miste76]

That was awful nice of your dentist to tell you that you have TMJ!!! You actually have two tempromandibular Joints (TMJ). He probably should have told you that you have TMD - tempromandibular joint disorder.
Do you have a TMJ disorder or just muscle soreness from clenching?
Many people are treated with a splint - a device that keeps your teeth from clenching (you can still bite down, but the teeth aren't together) and this helps relieve the pain but doesn't cure the source.

 

[HayGan]

Yep, colds and sinus pressure can certainly inflame the area around your TMJs and intesify the pain associated with TMD. I had TMD surgery 11 years ago and it REALLY helped me

 

[momof1princess]

i'm SO sorry you're going through this-i've had TMJ for over a decade now, and when i was originally diagnosed it was by my ENT b/c i'd gone to him thinking i had a sinus infection. he told me all the nerves in your head are connected- tooth pain can cause ear ache, etc., and being a teeth clencher/grinder, i'm never surprised by these aches & pains anymore. i was on 4 muscle relaxers a day when first diagnosed, but was able to get off them completely (and still am) after seeing an orthodontist and having a TMJ splint (looks like a regular dental retainer) made. i started out wearing it all day each day, but after a few weeks, i only needed to wear it when i slept-i still do and don't know what i'd do without it-i even took it to the hospital with me last year and wore it both nights after my gastric bypass surgery, lol. if your medical insurance will allow it, i highly recommend asking your dr. if he thinks an orthodontist could help you. best of luck

 

[LindsayDunn228]

My splint did absolutely nothing for me. The best thing I did to prevent flareups was I quit chewing gum.

 

[Rachie0507]

YES!! But everyone here has already told you that. I hate this time of year for that reason. I think, for me, it is the combination of mouth breathing and sinus pressure that aggreviates my TMJ issues. My Dr. has told me I should always stay on an allergy med for that reason.

Good luck finding a plan of attack for your TMJ. I have been working on mine for about 13 years now. The Doctors have all informed me that I must get my wisdom teeth out or it will just keep getting worse but I am terrified of the jaw pain that the extraction will cause. I don't know if anyone else has dealt with a dislocated jaw, but it is not fun. The oral surgeon told me it most likely will happen with the surgery and my orthodontist told me about the ordeal his son went through with the same thing. Yuck!!

 

[AuntieM03]

YES!! But everyone here has already told you that. I hate this time of year for that reason. I think, for me, it is the combination of mouth breathing and sinus pressure that aggreviates my TMJ issues. My Dr. has told me I should always stay on an allergy med for that reason.

Good luck finding a plan of attack for your TMJ. I have been working on mine for about 13 years now. The Doctors have all informed me that I must get my wisdom teeth out or it will just keep getting worse but I am terrified of the jaw pain that the extraction will cause. I don't know if anyone else has dealt with a dislocated jaw, but it is not fun. The oral surgeon told me it most likely will happen with the surgery and my orthodontist told me about the ordeal his son went through with the same thing. Yuck!!

I have the same fear. I was told my wisdom teeth are coming in sideways and should be removed. I have read so many stories of the pain that I can't do it yet, I had enough problems with the pain just getting my teeth cleaned.

 

[LindsayDunn228]

Rachie, I had my wisdom teeth removed when I was 16. Made no difference.

 

[Aimee K]

Some massage therapist (of which I am one) can do a TMJ release technique. It's a quick treatment inside your mouth (we use gloves ) It can be a little uncomfortable, but it seems to offer some of my clients a lot of relief! Many therapists who practice Neuromuscular Massage can help if the cause of the TMD warrants massage