Other Bruxism, anyone?

[Srain]

I had to look up the word:confused: sheesh, and come to realize I've had it most of my life and had no idea it had an official
name! I've broken all my back molars from the grinding and like you, I've had a hard mouth guard from the dentist. It was great but I lost on one of my trips across country. It had cost me a fortune and no, it's not covered by insurance.

I've my back teeth built up several times and had caps put on 2 of them. I broke one of the caps last year. The dentist keeps telling me to get another guard but I just can't afford the guard. I bought the OTC guard but it's just a little too bulky and with I have such a problem sleeping that anything that gets in the way makes that much harder so I really feel for you.

At this point I would ask if you have a dental school near you or one that you might be able to get to. Most of the work you can get done for a fraction (bad choice of words) of the cost with total supervision. Some you might get pro bono. It cost nothing to check it out.

If you've tried this already, forgive me for the echo. Please feel better.

Rain

 

[snugglepuss]

Thanks for the hugs and advice.

I have spent all day today in bed with face and jaw pain, and a throbbing headache. It goes all down my neck too. There was a loud sound outside me apartment last night which woke me up, and I couldn't get back to sleep. So I decided against getting up (it was 3am) and instead stayed in bed and listened to music on my iphone. For whatever reason, the jaw pain gets waaaay worse when I lay on my back. I didn't realize that before, as I sleep on my side.

I live in a smallish city, so there are no dental schools here. There is a dental hygienist program here, but no dental school. There is supposed to be a low cost dental program opening here for people like myself who have little to no coverage. However, it was supposed to be open already...they can't open because no one is coming forward to offer the help they need, such as cheaper carpentry and monetary donations. The city won't help them.

That is shitty that you have had to have your molars rebuilt like that. I have cracked a couple teeth myself...

 

[Trinomial]

You can go to a sports store and buy a mouth guard that you boil and shape to your teeth. It only costs a couple of dollars.

It's annoying to wear, but you'll get used to it and you'll prevent injury to your teeth.

I've had bruxism as long as I can remember. I've sprained my jaw three times from it (It's a little worse each time). Luckily I have retainers that I wear at night, as they aren't as awkward as the sports mouth guard. I have to replace them about once or twice a year because i crack them and wear them down from grinding and snapping my jaw.

In extreme cases, there are dental devices and procedures that can help. Also anti-anxiety medication or a muscle relaxant can help too.

 

[monticello]

I had bruxism for years, which went away after I got braces.

In the meantime, my orthodontist had me do jaw exercises of opening and closing the mouth fully and repeatedly, about one cycle every 2-3 seconds (so not slow but not fast), to exhaustion. If you're doing it right, the jaw muscles near the ear should feel fatigued by the end. He had me do it at bedtime and in the morning. Seems to work for me.