Toothaches are a pain in the ...

Well, from the title I am sure you guessed it ... tooth number 18 lost a crown and had to be pulled last Wednesday. It hurt. It still hurts. I am one of the lucky people with TMJ problems. I have had surgery twice, braces to correct bite, crowns to keep correct bite and hours of physical therapy to help with the pain associated with TMJ problems. I have been pain free for a while, until a gall bladder operation when being put to sleep did not work, stretched the joint  and bamm,  TMJ problems again. The first problems occurred in the late 80's, my oral surgeon does not want to go in again, the joint is to fragile. I guess ibuprofen will be my friend from now on! At least it helps with the pain and when I have an extra $1000 burning holes in my purse I will have a new splint made to wear to ease the stress on the joint. This is not what I wanted for Christmas! However, I am so grateful to have it out! In fact, I am so glad, this post is also on livingrural. On this Christmas Eve, may you be warm, safe, full of good food, and remembering the true meaning of Christmas ... the birth of a baby in a manger 2000 years ago. Merry Christmas! [tags]tooth, dentist, TMJ, pain, bite splints, Christmas, baby Jesus, gift of Christmas[/tags]