[Sca-cooks] Something to Chew on, literally- OT

[Phlip]

Hie the to a Dr immediately- you may have what is now a fairly minor injury,
which, because of its location, could become a chronic PITA. You'll likely
need a specialist- in Portland, you have an excellent Chiropractic school,
or if you prefer MDs, likely an orthopedic specialist.

TMJ is nothing to play with. Many of the younger dentists are being taught
about it, but if your dentist caused it, and didn't notice the "pop" chances
are he's not one of them. Wish I could send you over to my dentist, Mark, in
Ohio- he specializes in the odder stuff.

If you can take it, Ibuprofen will not only reduce the pain, but more
importantly the swelling. If I were doing it, I'd take 800 milligrams three
times a day, that being the prescription strength, but, of course, not being
a physician, I can't prescribe medication for you ;-)

Also, basic First Aid says that if the injury is recent, less than three
days, an ice pack will help- longer than that, warm heat will help.

Don't keep stretching and moving it uncomfortably- that will only aggravate
the injury. Eat only soft ot liquid foods, until you can get into a
professional who can give you specific instructions.

Phlip

 If it walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck, it is probably not a
cat.

Never a horse that cain't be rode,
And never a rider who cain't be throwed....

----- Original Message -----
From: "Laura C. Minnick" <lcm at efn.org>
To: <sca-cooks at ansteorra.org>
Sent: Thursday, December 12, 2002 5:40 AM
Subject: [Sca-cooks] Something to Chew on, literally- OT


> Ok gang, a question for you-
>
> Ennyone on-list who's had problems with TMJ? I had some dental work last
> week, and something went *boink* (from trying to keep my mouth open
enough,
> I think)- I have a small mouth- or so they say- and I'm a 'gagger' so it
> was no fun, or rather, less fun than most dentist visits are. Hurt alot
the
> first couple of days, then it felt a little better, then it hurt more...
> feels like the hinge is popped/off track, and it won't stay where it
> belongs. Today it doesn't hurt much unless I try to open my mouth wide
> enough to put something in, then it sticks and won't open without a lot of
> banging and popping. My ear is blocked on that side too. I'd sooner chew
> ground glass than go back in to the dentist. Any grand ideas before I
> resign myself to my fate and call in in the morning?
>
> I've tried:
>
> Big yawns (ow)
> stretching slowly (bang! snap! ow!)
> chewing gum
> eating apples (*ow!*)
> chewing dry pasta
> muscle relaxants
> meditating on my iniquities (hey- makes me clench my jaw- which might
help!)
>
> It would be really nice if I could get my toothbrush in my mouth without
> using a shoehorn...
>
> 'Lainie
>
____________________________________________________________________________
> Sometimes Life makes drastic changes without our permission...
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