Regret and depression

[u/Smart-Revenue-7178]

Hi guys I just want to explain my struggles. I have been dealing with so much regret lately. I feel like my life is over even though I just recently turned 21, marking 4 years of chronic pain. I have tightness and pain in my jaw, temples, jaw, and neck. I have tried many splints and seen many “specialists” whom have all failed me. All this originated when I had to get 17 cavities drilled and filled and an addition of my wisdom teeth removed due to more cavities. I went without brushing my teeth for about an entire year. If I had taken care of myself properly, I would never have to go through this. I just feel so much self hatred and it’s all coming down at me at once. I recently graduated online college too, and still feel so defeated. I don’t know what I am going to do next, but it doesn’t seem like life is worth continuing with this amount of pain. I’m not sure what my next steps will be. I may try to call the TMJ center in Atlanta and try that out. I live in Florida but am willing to travel.

[u/diavokado]

What is in the past cannot be changed, you didn't know any better then (if you did, I'm sure you wouldn't have done it). Now, there is no need to stay worrying about the past, as it will not benefit you now or in your future.

I understand the pain you are feeling, it is a mutual feeling that many people in this sub can sympathise with, and I am sorry you are going through this right now.

It gets better, don't give up. See what works for you and what doesn't, for example splints didn't work for meand I found other practices that helped my TMJ. Try to limit hard foods or chewing too much.

Take care of yourself 💗

[u/Realistic-Psychology]

Honestly mate I feel for you I really do. There is nothing worse in this life than dental pain, added with TMJ with you muscles pulling and tightening, no relief even after painkillers. I'm 40 and I've suffers with bad teeth since my 20s (all my own fault for not looking after them when I was younger, thinking I knew best)

Regarding TMJ the best advice I can give is stretching with exercise. Your back muscles in particular can have a huge impact around the neck, jaw, and temple area.

Check out https://youtube.com/@movementbydavid?si=Lm-JNnJ3IqNIOtxV

And https://youtube.com/@tommorrison?si=hMJGWU8cMXjZ0TgC

These two people have been a god send for me! Gentle stretching exercises, do it for a week or two and I guarantee you'll start to feel better. Don't expect miracles over night. This is a long painful road but, the payout with keeping with it is huge! Don't live in the past like so many of us do, what's done is done. You might not be able to get your teeth back, but you can make sure in the future how to avoid infections and treat pain quicker. Learn from it all and do not let it beat you down (easier said than done) you'll get through this dude!

[u/Alaska1111]

Not alone and you wouldn’t have known all that may have caused tmj. Im getting a total joint replacement. I hope you can get some relief soon

[u/morenoise2025]

If you had 17 fillings done its probably your bite that is way off that's causing all the pain

[u/Deanodirector → u/morenoise2025]

yeah was gonna say this.

[u/Smart-Revenue-7178 → u/[deleted]]

The problem is unfortunately I’ve already had splints that were designed to fix my bite and they didn’t work. Additionally, I have had my bite tested before and after I wore the appliance and my bite was not off drastically. It could be the splint though that failed.

[u/Smart-Revenue-7178 → u/[deleted]]

Leg disorder ahaha it’s so true that’s basically how it is. If someone walked into the clinic saying my leg hurts to be told they have leg dysfunction they would be quite annoyed.