I am currently 20 years old, and i have dipped/used chewing tobacco since i was 14 off and on. There were periods of times when I used chewing quite often and i was heavily addicted. I dipped about 2 to 3 cans a week at my maximum point. Over the past year i began to feel a trembling feeling in my right jaw muscle. It was almost like a small teeth chattering feeling, or tiny muscle spasms. Recently though, over the past 6 months, I have noticed pains around my jaw muscles. Its not excruciating, but its like a constant annoying pain. I would say about a 1/2 on a scale of 1-10, 10 being worst. Over the past week, this pain has also moved up the side of my face towards my temple where the pain sits directly between my temple and the front-upper half of my ear. I am very nervous that the effects of my habit have caught up with me.
The only bit of hope that I am still holding on to is the hope that it the pain is caused by my wisdom teeth. My bottom wisdom teeth point at almost a 45 degree angle towards the front of my mouth, and have not yet protruded through my gums. Recent x-rays have shown that these teeth are in contact with my jaw bone and will have to be removed.
Unlike my bottom teeth, my top wisdom teeth have protruded through my gums and point down and out with a 30 degree angle towards my cheeks. These teeth also have to be removed, but i don't see any reason why they would cause me pain besides for the fact that they might force my other teeth closer together.
All and all, if anyone has expertise in this area I would greatly appreciate your feedback! I know i need to see my dentist to receive an accurate diagnosis, but I am away at college right now and I would love anything that could put my mind at ease! Thank you very much for your help!
The only bit of hope that I am still holding on to is the hope that it the pain is caused by my wisdom teeth. My bottom wisdom teeth point at almost a 45 degree angle towards the front of my mouth, and have not yet protruded through my gums. Recent x-rays have shown that these teeth are in contact with my jaw bone and will have to be removed.
Unlike my bottom teeth, my top wisdom teeth have protruded through my gums and point down and out with a 30 degree angle towards my cheeks. These teeth also have to be removed, but i don't see any reason why they would cause me pain besides for the fact that they might force my other teeth closer together.
All and all, if anyone has expertise in this area I would greatly appreciate your feedback! I know i need to see my dentist to receive an accurate diagnosis, but I am away at college right now and I would love anything that could put my mind at ease! Thank you very much for your help!