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Kelliann's avatar

Thanks Jessica! I wish you could be my dentist

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Jim McCraigh's avatar

Very informative... thank you.

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Tania's avatar

Very timely advice for me! My TMJ has recently flared up and I now see that from my chronic stress, my head is not positioned properly and is likely the cause of the resurgence of pain. I wear a bite guard all night and thought that was the end of it. Clearly I have to pay attention to my posture and do my best to correct it - pain is a messenger: we need to heed its warning! Thanks for the timely reminders & recommendations!

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Kelliann's avatar

Ugh. I have had this for 30 years😬

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Jessica Funk's avatar

What have you tried that works?

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Kelliann's avatar

I have a mouth guard but I tend to take it out while asleep 😴. Had one a few years ago that I broke in my sleep. I get a real workout apparently lol . Not funny.

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Robyn Chuter's avatar

Thanks for your insights on this extremely prevalent disorder.

Are you seeing more TMD now than in the pre-smartphone era?

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Jessica Funk's avatar

That's a tough one to judge. I started my career as a dentist in 2000 just as phones were coming into use. There was so much stress and tension starting in 2001 with 9/11 and the economic downturn that resulted. Then technology took off. What I would say I see more of now than before is depression in my youngest of patients that I think could be attributable to smart phones and the 70+ shots our country forces upon them. Not sure that I have seen a true increase in TMD.

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Robyn Chuter's avatar

Thanks for sharing your invaluable insights. It's horrifying to think of young children suffering from depression!

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