posted
Does anyone else notice that you wind up, not so much grinding your teeth, but clenching your jaw so that your teeth are completely compressed? I'm starting to realize I'm doing this a lot lately, especially at work, but even when I'm trying to go to sleep at night.
Posts: 415 | From Canton, GA United States | Registered: May 2004
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posted
Yes, This is something I do - I'm not even aware that I do it. (If that makes any sense - I am obviously aware that I do it - because my teeth and jaw are always tired/sore because of it)
My daughter has the same problem. When I notice that I'm clenching my teeth - I try to make a concious effort NOT to do it. But, later I'll notice that I'm clenching my jaw again.
I too, have wondered if this was yet another "lyme thing".
Posts: 416 | From Southeastern PA | Registered: Sep 2003
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docdave130
Unregistered
posted
clenching is 99.99% stress related. during times of stress the body does things to try to release the stress because it doesn't like it. clenching teeth is the best reliever of stress, also grinding and bruxism. one you can try toi reduce the stress ,almost impossible with lyme. two: you can take antidepressants ie zoloft or anti-anixety drugs ie Xanax,valium. third: biofeedback is the least invasive treatment along with yoga and meditation. four: go to your dentist get a night guard. this will protect your teeth and reduce the stress on the muscles of mastication by opening your mouth slightly and shotening the length of the muscles. this puts the muscles more in a state of rest and also protects your teeth, the plastic can be remade
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posted
I'm already on an antidepressant, but I'll try the other things.
Thanks!
Posts: 415 | From Canton, GA United States | Registered: May 2004
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treepatrol
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 4117
posted
That was a big one for me allways clenching my teeth I realized I was doing it because my jaw started to get tired I had to mentally keep a note on going in my head to move my teeth apart relax it.
Posts: 10564 | From PA Where the Creeks are Red | Registered: Jun 2003
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bpeck
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 3235
posted
Yes. I had to get a mouth guard to wear at night because of the clenching - I broke 2 teeth that way - Dentist said they were vertical stress cracks.
posted
I had the same problem with jaw clenching and teeth grinding. This also caused some slight receeding of my gumline.
I ended up with a nightguard.
A cheap alternative is an athletic mouthpiece (like you wear when playing football) that you can form to your teeth, even cut and shape to fit. I used this for a couple of years before I found out about the nightguard.
The athletic mouthpiece fit on the upper teeth. The nightguard fits on the lower teeth.
BW
Posts: 43 | From Houston, TX, USA | Registered: Jan 2004
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JillF
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5553
posted
I had no idea I was clenching my teeth until the dentist told me I was the worst he had seen. I told him that I didn't clench my teeth or grind them - and then I realized I was clenching my jaw through-out the entire visit.
I do it all the time. I try to keep myself from doing it now but I went ahead and got a night guard.
My night guard fits my upper teeth.
I could pick whether I wanted an upper or lower guard.
My guard was custom made and only $88.
I've noticed that it's breaking already. I guess from clenching and grinding.
posted
So I guess this really is a symptom then. Dang! I was kind of hoping I could just take a xanax and chill out! lol
Posts: 415 | From Canton, GA United States | Registered: May 2004
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docdave130
Unregistered
posted
an athletic nightguard will not serve to purpose you need to support the jaw. the niteguard must be made from hard plastic not rubber to support the jaw and the stress.rubber gives and doesn't help. there is an otc mouthguard for about $40 at all big drug stores that claims to be hard plastic but i am not sure if that is correct. i will have to research it further and let you know. unforunately most dentists charge from 250 -600 for a niteguard so shop around.
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posted
Let me know what you find out about the otc niteguard docdave. Thanks!
Posts: 415 | From Canton, GA United States | Registered: May 2004
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Carol in PA
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 5338
posted
Years and years ago, I read about a way to help stop the clenching problem, at least while you're awake.
Put the tip of your tongue on the back of your two front teeth (top). This will keep your teeth apart, while your lips are closed.
I trained myself to do this all the time, even when I was falling asleep. It keeps the jaw in a more neutral position.
Carol
Posts: 6956 | From Lancaster, PA | Registered: Feb 2004
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docdave130
Unregistered
posted
strenght to strenght you got a good deal on the niteguard, but did you get a niteguard or a mouthguard. a mouthguard costs about 40-50 custom made i nite guard is hard plastic and the lab expense alone is about $80 to the dentist,so i assume you got a soft mouthguard which will not work for tmj problems ie clenching, grinding,bruxism. I will be very ahrd to find a well made niteguard by a dentist for under $100 and probably a whloe lot more. My fee used to be $300 and I was the cheapest in the area. the niteguard should be almost flat except that it should be set so that when you wear it the lower jaw comes forward with the teeth edge to edge and open about 2-3 mm. this allows dislocation of the jaw joints and relaxation the the muscles of the jaws. Biofeedback, physical therapy and also a bite evaluation is important to prevent tmj problems. there is even thoughts that an uneven shoulder, where one leg is longer than the other should be corrected by lifts to level the body frame and thus the lower jaw. Studies have shown that athletes using hard mouthguard show a large increase in strength while wearing a hard mouthguard. this is a substantial increase in strength and has been used by many athletes for years for this reason and not for protection. the number one cause of tmj problems and associated symptoms is stress, decrease stress decrease symptoms. the old treatment was muscle rellaxants like valium or flexeril. both work to relax muscles and also antianiexty effect.
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posted
the rubber mouthguards give when chewed on and actually cause the muscles to work harder since they are never in a state of rest. this sometimes will make the symptoms worse rather than better. the hard guard does not give and pressure to it causes to jaw to slide and not go into the material. the sliding along with the open bite allows the muscles to rest and be in a relaxed position as opposed to the rubber which leaves the muscles in a stressed position. yes antidepressants do wonders for many illnesses since the mind can't heal when the mind is broken. the body can heal thyself if the mind is strong and willing. weak and feable the body gets worse. poetry by Hawthorne, well maybe docdave
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