Bad Toothbrush Led to Front Gum Graft & TMJ. Peru, IL

So this surgery happened because I bought one of those toothbrushes with the rubber bristles on the sides, thinking that it was perfectly fine to switch toothbrushes. 3 months later my dentist exclaims "He needs a gum graft!"

So I go through the process, obviously I ask if it is necessary (but doctors will tell you anything to come back I guess). I can't find any picture of before the surgery, but I was told that teeth would fall out eventually. So I did it with hesitation.

I don't remember any pain during or after the surgery. Just alot of ice and stuff. It seemed to go fine. I continued on with my life. 6 months later I get squishy feelings in my ears when I open my mouth. 3 months later, I'm popping my jaw constantly to get relief. I go to a few doctors before I find a TMJ Doc who prescribes an expensive splint. I refuse to pay it, and I continue on.

5 years later, I still have this problem to some degree. It could be a coincidence that my malocclusion and gum graft happened at the same time, but I like to think that this surgery kickstarted my TMJ problem and jaw pain. But it's hard to isolate the two without fixing them both.