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About Joel S. Teig, DMD, FABOMS
Expertise
I am a board certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon and I am available to answer questions related to tooth extractions, implant insertion, facial recontruction, facial and oral tumor removal, TMJ dysfunction and various successful treatments, including surgery if all else fails, and occlusal discrepancy requiring orthognathic or jaw surgery.
Experience
Board Certified Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon practicine for over 20 years. Assistant Clincal Professor and State University School of Dentistry.
Organizations
American Dental Association, American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
Education/Credentials
BA
DMD
Awards and Honors
National Honor Society (OKU), Philadelphia County Dental Society, Mosby Book Award, Oral Surgery Honors, Summa Cum Laude
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You are here: Experts > Health/Fitness > Dentistry > Dentistry > gum, ear and neck pain
Expert: Joel S. Teig, DMD, FABOMS
Date: 10/4/2008
Subject: gum, ear and neck pain
Question
I have had pain in my upper gum mostly for 5 months. It started with 2 broken teeth on different sides of my mouth. I had 2 crowns put on and a root canal in a different tooth where the pain was more prevalent. Nothing has helped. The root canal was really unnecessary as the pain in still there. At times, I get bad headaches, ear pain and throat pain. I had a cortesone shot by the ENT who said I had TMJ. I did fall in a hole on the beach prior to all of this and I believe the hit to the left side of my face, where this pain is, is probably the cause. Is this something that is taken care of by a regular neurologist? Sometimes, the Vicoden I take occasionally does not even help much. I find the pain makes me irritable after awhile and I don't want to continue suffering like I have been. Is there any cure for TMJ if, in fact, that is what I have? I would appreciate any help you can provide.
Answer
Marcia- Of course without examining you I cannot be totally sure, but from the symptoms of headaches, ear pain and throat pain, it sounds like you are suffering from spasms of the jaw muscles. Many people classify this as TMJ, when in fact the joint itself (TMJ means temporomandibular joint) is not totally involved. Saying that, the earaches can be due to the muscles pulling the jaw tight into the jaw joint, which lies in front of the ears.
If you do have the muscular cause of your problem, I suggest that you try the following treatment and it should help to reduce the pain. Start with warm salt water rinses for about 5 minutes 4-5 times a day. When rinsing, try to get the warm water as far back along the sides of your mouth. Secondly, use warm moist compresses (can be washcloths)should be used and place them from the temple region on both sides of your face down to the bottom of of your jaw on the same time. Do this for 5-10 minutes 4-5 times a day. I know it seems like a lot of work, but the warm treatments should begin to relax the muscles. If they are the cause of your pain, the pain should begin to resolve within 7-10 days.
So try my suggestion first and let me know how you feel in about a week. If you have any further questions, feel free to contact me any time.
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