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Ptsd And Dental Woes

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@Taven: Wow, cool picture!

It is said that the future is always born in pain. The history of war is the history of pain. If we are wise what is born of that pain matures into the promise of a better world. Because we learn that we can no longer afford the mistakes of the past.
 
At night I lock my jaw so tight that you would have to use a crowbar to part it. I wake up with a sore jaw many times. I did have a mouth guard once (it drove me crazy!!!). I know I need to get a new one. Should I try the drugstore kind first? What do you think?

Thank goodness I have not had much problems with my teeth because of it...but my dentist did say that my back teeth are ground down a bit. I am afraid that I am going to break my teeth. I even have nightmares where my teeth are all broken and I am spitting them out of my mouth. :( I don't want that to come true!

I really have to do something about it now. I'm going to try the drugstore kind first this time...see how good they are. If not I will get a new mouthguard from my dentist.
 
Don't go to the drug store, they are the wrong type.
Search online for teeth grinding guard, and you should find some companies, I got mine for about $15AU, although I can't wear it because my front teeth are sore and have 'dropped' down from the gum because of the grinding.

My front filling fell out, and I have a huge hole in my back molar, but I can't face the dentist right now....last time I went they scratched my throat with the suction tube and it got infected, I couldn't talk for about 2 weeks, and I could barely swallow.

I have found that taking magnesium supplements and soaking in a bath with epsom salts helps heaps because a lack of magnesium is what causes muscle twitching, etc. and can help with teeth grinding too.
 
I am using a drugstore one and it works fine for now until I can afford a better one although I will go online.
@ Bubzilla: I have a consult with a dentist tomorrow and I am doing it because my anxiety has kept me from the dentist and I need my teeth cleaned. Go for a consult and talk about your anxiety etc.....you deserve it!!! Beth
 
Hi Beth,

Would love to go for a consult, but I am on benefits because I have been unable to work/ find work.
The dentist I saw was a 'community' dentist, which means she bulk billed for those on a pension card, hence the reason I'm scared to go back.

May have to look elsewhere, because it is becoming a problem.:cry:
Thanks for your support hun. :tup:
 
@bubzilla: No problem. I know how hard it is and I know how important having nice teeth are to everything in life! Its a double whammy when you are dealing with all of this stuff and have to manage dental bills at the same time. I have an appointment at 3 pm- just a consult though! Keep looking into it and other options.Beth
 
:) Thanks Beth.

I think I'll look into it today......I just found out my dad went to the dentist for the same thing, and he has ground his teeth down to the gum line....poor bugger.:(

I think that was the kick in the ass that I needed.
 
I broke apart one of the porcelain caps this past weekend, but since it was just cosmetic, it just needed buffing.

Unfortunately, though, as he checked my other teeth, it turns out I now have an abcessed tooth which will need a root canal. I'm thankful he found it. I've been having a lot of pain on my upper right and some facial swelling but figured it was allergies. At least now I have an answer for why I've been feeling sick for the past several weeks.
 
I had the lovely experience when I went to someone to evaluate my bite and other problems of him calling all his colleages to come and see me without asking me first.

They were all there to see what the effects of extreme grinding. Nice.

My teeth issues are compounded by the effects of having had an eating disorder for close on 30 years and that adds to the shame about them enormously. The effects include damage to my jaw itself. My teeth don't appear still look Ok ish from the outside but are heading downhill fast and I need to fix them but can't afford to. I won't say how much I was quoted and that was many years ago now.

As for grinding - awful, pain causing and tooth destroying. I recommend the latest splints as they seem to be much more effective.
 
Abstract, a good dentist, good home cleaning and a mouthguard make a really big difference, even when there's already a lot of damage. Teeth and gums actually repair themselves to some extent if we give them the right conditions.

When I had the initial assessment with my current, good dentist, he was expecting to have to do some surgery on my gums and possibly replace some inlays and crowns. He waited because he never rushes in, always waits to see if work can be avoided or at least delayed, in the best interests of the patient. We've been waiting for almost four years now, and still no need.

There's a really good dental hygienist at the practice who I see every three months. She taught me how to clean my teeth properly, including things for the damage that's already done (like brushing with water only, not toothpaste) and everything has completely stabilised.

Do you actually have a splint? Apparently in 99% of cases they stop any further damage. They're really expensive but I do think they're worth it. Dental work is expensive too, and that may be unnecessary if you have a splint. In my case, it has been.
 
Thanks Hashi.

That sounds interesting. If you have any information that would be helpful. I haven't heard of doing without but do use special toothpaste and mouthwash. I am careful to protect my enamel - not that I have any. Thankfully my gums are not bad at all. I am also grateful that I practised habits that supposedly help to minimise the damage from ED's. Considering how long I had one I guess I can't complain. I do have a splint and have worn one for a long time now. They are so much better than the mouth guards of the past. I have been treated for TMJ since I was fairly young.

Sadly I have had multiple opinions (two of which had no vested interest in the advice given) and all have said the same thing. It's shame
inducing to discuss but I am afraid there are multiple teeth which can no longer be capped and my teeth continue to crumble. I have already lost two too. Unfortunately my ability to eat has been affected. By some lucky chance the outside of the visible ones are not too bad so far. It won't last long without intervention though. I also require a jaw operation which is linked to the ED and aggravated by the grinding. Put it this way - the quotes I got were well over £50 000 and that was a long time ago.

One of the worst things is that I am someone who is very vested in hiding all this stuff (stress/ grinding and an ED past) and I think teeth looking a certain way can certainly be a bit of a give-away. We also need them to eat!

Glad your teeth have improved! :)
 
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