Worried about next ortho visit

SusieB is in pain and trying to rest. Living With It I have had migraines since I was probably 15, but they were monthly... Send Message Subscribe: SusieB

Monday, October 12, 2009
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For background, I have migraine disease, TMJ disorder and fibromyalgia. I have braces right now in the hopes that it will help me in the future because I grind and clench my teeth at night. I saw a TMJ specialist prior to the orthodontist, and I wore many different types of splints. (I was really hop...

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Nancy Harris Bonk
Tuesday, October 13, 2009 at 02:25 PM

Hi Susie.

I've never had braces, but do have trouble with grinding...hopefully someone will be in to give you some input. Have you been over to the forum to see if anyone can help you there? You can find our forum at http://forums.healthcentral.com/discussion/migraine/forums.

teeth grinding suggestion
Jo
Thursday, October 15, 2009 at 11:12 PM

Have you been checked for sleep apnea?

I to have Fibro. I also would grind my teeth and snore so loud I could almost rattle the windows. Through my own research I found out that sleep apnea is common for people with fibro.

I asked my Dr. for a referral for a sleep clinic. I now have a machine called a CPAP which forces me to breathe and I no longer grind my teeth or snore.

I am still tired but not as bad I was.

This might give you something to try that doesn't involve more drugs.

I've got my fingers crossed for you.

Jo

re: teeth grinding suggestion
SusieB
Friday, October 16, 2009 at 08:24 PM

I have not been checked for sleep apnea and, interestingly, my coworker has it and uses the CPAP as well. I will ask my neurologist when I see him next week. I would love a non-drug treatment for once!

teeth guard to lessen teeth abrasion
Chuck
Friday, October 16, 2009 at 02:10 AM

Dear grinder:

Seems I grind my teeth during sleep. My dentist fitted me with a custom plastic teeth guard for sleep time use. It covers all the teeth tightly on top. This protects both uppers and lowers. The over the counter types didn't work well. He had a wire inserted into the plastic to add to it's strength. They can break if you drop them. Be sure to brush them daily to prevent mouth sores.

Regards, Chuck

re: teeth guard to lessen teeth abrasion
SusieB
Friday, October 16, 2009 at 08:28 PM

I've had a hard orthotic for the top teeth, then a soft one for the bottom when that made the pain and headaches worsen. I then went to a TMJ specialist who made another mouth guard that is thinner and he added an NTI TSS device. It doesn't matter what these doctors put in my mouth it seems, I am determined to grind my teeth -- this even after the orthodontist put on braces. The TMJ doctor said the grinding usually stops and rarely does anyone need a guard. I don't think they want to put another guard on my teeth on top of braces, too, because I have a feeling the last guard assisted in making my open bite so much worse. (When I close my teeth, it looks like I haven't in front!)

re: re: teeth guard & use
Chuck
Saturday, October 17, 2009 at 04:29 PM

Yep, a really tough case. The guards will stop unusual abrasion of the teeth, but not the underlying cause. Do you suspect that a nerve is having you clench, or an allergy? Do you clench or grind during the day (as in a stress response)? Do you have stressing dreams, that a sleep lab might help with? Do you find that you compulsively chew your tongue during the day?

Chuck