Tooth grinding and jaw pain-?!
Question: Tooth grinding and jaw pain-!?
I have had pain in the right side of my jaw that comes and goes!. It usually lasts about a week, with two weeks before flare-ups!. The pain can be quite severe, gets better with tylenol, and ice!. This last time, I decided to get a mouth guard to wear at night!. It was miraculous how much that helped! When I took it off in the morning, I could see scratch marks on it where I was grinding my teeth at night!. I don't really have severe pain any longer!. But I still am grinding my teeth!. It even wakes me up sometimes!. It doesn't hurt as much, but my jaw is still sore from clenching all night!. Is there any way to stop this!? It is still achy!. The mouth guard was one of those boil and bite to form ones from walgreens!. Are there some other types that might work better!? Medication isn't really an option, since I'm 4 months pregnant!. In fact this all started after I got pregnant!. Could it be related!? Thanks for your help! ----oh, also my teeth don't line up right, but they never have, and this has only been going on about 3 months!. And my jaw clicks a lot!. Www@Answer-Health@Com
Answers:
Sounds like a problem with your TMJ (Tempero-Mandibular-Joint)!. Usually a dental prostheses will retrain your jaw muscles (and joints) to stop the grinding and clicking!. Usually your dentist checks you for TMJ problems!. The best way to stop all the issues you are having is to go back to wearing your mouth guard at night!. Then when you have the opportunity go and see your dentist to determine if the problem can be remedied with just a mouthpiece or if it has gotten to the point where they have to consider more invasive procedures!.
Could it be related to your pregnancy!? It is possible as it is a subconscious issue and maybe when you found out you were pregnant you started to worry a bit!. It is quite natural!. I had a similar problem after I broke my neck as my mouth would only open a little and off to the side!. I wore a retainer type device (like you are talking about) and retrained my muscles!. It was a miraculous thing as in about 6-8 weeks I go stuff a large sub sandwich in my mouth again!. Hope this helps you and congratulations and best of luck with the new addition to your family!. Www@Answer-Health@Com
Could it be related to your pregnancy!? It is possible as it is a subconscious issue and maybe when you found out you were pregnant you started to worry a bit!. It is quite natural!. I had a similar problem after I broke my neck as my mouth would only open a little and off to the side!. I wore a retainer type device (like you are talking about) and retrained my muscles!. It was a miraculous thing as in about 6-8 weeks I go stuff a large sub sandwich in my mouth again!. Hope this helps you and congratulations and best of luck with the new addition to your family!. Www@Answer-Health@Com
It sounds like TMJ and braces can help get rid of itWww@Answer-Health@Com
I have a mouth guard from my dentist!. It was molded especially for my teeth and definitely more protective than a regular boiled mouth guard although it's very expensive!. I'm not sure that being pregnant could be related to you grinding your teeth, but who knows!. The dentists aren't even sure of what really causes it (stress maybe!?)!. My jaw used to click a lot maybe 10 years ago to the point where it was very painful!. Thankfully, the clicking stopped and now only when I take too big of bites of food or eat sticky food, my jaw pops!. I'm not sure if there really is a cure to stop clenching/grinding your teeth, but the mouth guard is probably your best bet!. Good luck!Www@Answer-Health@Com