TMJ or something else? Advice needed!

[Skylark]

Hi,

I’m wondering if anyone can help me. I’ve been clenching my jaw on and off since having minor orthodontics (for about 8 months now). My bite has always been off and was only slightly improved. I have bonded retainers and wear a bite plate to protect my teeth, but so far the ortho has not been any help – just says to learn to stop clenching but without any practical advise. I was not aware of clenching before my dental work but now it can be painful on the left side.

I’ve also had swollen lymph nodes under my jaw and in the left side of my neck for about 5 months. I also have a kind of lump/thickening behind the heel of my left jaw. Lymph nodes come and go but are usually there, lump is always there.

I often wake up with a painful jaw/neck on the left side and very swollen glands. I can’t tell if it’s some kind of TMJ symptom or something connected with my lymph nodes. It usually wears off during the day, but during the last couple of days I’ve woken up with ear and neck ache that has lasted during the day (the jaw actually doesn’t seem so bad at the mo – can eat apples, etc). It feels like there’s pressure deep inside my ear – but doc couldn’t see anything wrong.

Have been to doc and blood test shows ‘small amount of abnormal cells’ but it’s apparently not a bacterial infection. Have been referred to haematologist but not sure that’s the right person to sort this. I can’t tell if these symptoms are being caused by jaw clenching or if there’s something else wrong and the clenching is simply worsening the symptoms.

Just wondered if anyone could advise whether this is TMJ or something else as it’s painful and it could be a while before seeing the haematologist.

Thanks very much! x

[Skylark]

Thanks Meryaten!

What I really need to know is whether Bruxism can cause swollen lymph nodes, in which case maybe I need to go to a TMJ specialist.

Thanks again for replying

[platinum]

I had swollen lymph nodes and frequent flues because of the poor health of my gums and teeth. After all the cavities were filled and my gums gone through a deep cleaning the lymph nodes went down and I did not sick so often. The lymph nodes that were sore and swollen were under my lower jaw and near my ears.