Pediatrician or Dentist or Other? (1 Viewer)

[soothsayer]

I feel like we need a Doctor/Dentist thread just like we have the Lawyer thread.

My 10-year old boy seems to have something going on with the back of his jaw when he chews. Every time he bites down there is a popping sound coming from one side of his jaw. It is audible to anyone seated at the dinner table with him. He says it does not hurt at all but the noise is annoying to him and everyone else.

Should this be checked out by a Dentist? Ortho? Pediatrician? Other Doctor?

And what am I looking at here....something he'll grow out of (this is a fairly recent development - wondering if it's related to his recent rapid growth) or future issue if not diagnosed and dealt with? Any experiences with something similar you can share?

TIA.

 

[shadyridr]

Id bring him to his pediatrician first

 

[shuke]

I feel like we need a Doctor/Dentist thread just like we have the Lawyer thread.

My 10-year old boy seems to have something going on with the back of his jaw when he chews. Every time he bites down there is a popping sound coming from one side of his jaw. It is audible to anyone seated at the dinner table with him. He says it does not hurt at all but the noise is annoying to him and everyone else.

Should this be checked out by a Dentist? Ortho? Pediatrician? Other Doctor?

And what am I looking at here....something he'll grow out of (this is a fairly recent development - wondering if it's related to his recent rapid growth) or future issue if not diagnosed and dealt with? Any experiences with something similar you can share?

TIA.

It's his TMJ.  I think this is fairly normal as kids grow.  I personally went through a phase of irritating popping and even some pain when I was a teen.  

Careful seeing anyone about this.  This is condition is fraught with scams and horrible treatments.

 

[trogg78]

How long has this been happening?

 

[Ditkaless Wonders]

Is he still under warranty? 

 

[dutch]

Is he still under warranty? 

Remember, no trade ins, no returns.  I found out when I went looking for a new and improved model for my 14 year old version.  Stooppid, not customer friendly plan if you ask me.

 

[ATC1]

I think you need a new member name if you really need advice on the future. 

Sounds like TMJ. I would mention it to your dentist next time your son goes in for a cleaning. Pediatrician will probably refer him to a ENT or ortho if you want a work up.    

 

[soothsayer]

I think Shuke's response has scared me straight on this one. I won't worry about it for now but bring it up at his next dentist appointment. As it just started during a big growth spurt, I am thinking he may simply grow through/out of this.

Thanks for the takes, FBGs.

 

[Dentist]

It's his TMJ.  I think this is fairly normal as kids grow.  I personally went through a phase of irritating popping and even some pain when I was a teen.  

Careful seeing anyone about this.  This is condition is fraught with scams and horrible treatments.

For a non-dentist this is a pretty solid response.

I've never seen a child have a legit TMJ issue..  it generally goes away with aging.

TMJ is a condition that can be fraught not so much with scams but horrible treatment.

Dentist-made biteguards are a very legitimate treatment... but most people wouldn't make one for a < 16 y.o.

I've had several patients over the years get help from chiropractic TMJ adjustments.

But beyond that the treatments can get weird, expensive, and with questionable prognosis.

But the dentist is the place to go for this..  I can tell you that my pediatrician buddies have almost no training on TMJ or anything intra-oral.

 

[shuke]

I've had several patients over the years get help from chiropractic TMJ adjustments.

Dude

 

[Don't Noonan]

An I the only one that has no idea what TMJ means?

 

[captain_amazing]

An I the only one that has no idea what TMJ means?

Touched by Michael Jackson (TMJ).

YWIA.

 

[shuke]

An I the only one that has no idea what TMJ means?

My link

 

[Don't Noonan]

My link

Yeah, not helpful

 

[Don't Noonan]

Touched by Michael Jackson (TMJ).

YWIA.

Good news is that we will be seeing fewer and fewer TMJ cases from now on.

 

[shuke]

Yeah, not helpful

My link

 

[Doctor Detroit]

Combining Dentistry and foot care seems to be a great business idea.  Kill two birds with one stone, and a stone that costs a bundle amirite? 

 

[Dentist]

Dude

All I can tell you is it's worked for people.  I'm not a big chiro guy, but people have honestly gotten help for cases I couldn't solve.