Was wondering if other people experience this...

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#1 Post by **pokergirl** » Tue Mar 28, 2006 9:51 pm

When I wake up in the mornings, I literally have to give myself a couple of minutes before my jaws can move. It is almost like they are locked up. It's pretty painful trying to get them loose, but once I get them moving, they don't bother me the rest of the day. I was wondering if anybody else has experienced this and is it due to having an overbite or if other people with different bite problems have experienced this.

Another thing I was wondering is has anyone who has had wisdom teeth extracted noticed if their face started looking sort of hollow. I had 3 of my wisdom teeth extracted Jan. 3rd, and in the last few weeks I've had several people ask me if I've lost weight (which I know I haven't because I'm on the chocolate diet plan.) They all said my face looks a lot skinnier, and now -- since they brought it to my attention -- I'm starting to notice it. Has anyone noticed anything like this?

#2 Post by **nimo** » Tue Mar 28, 2006 11:54 pm

I don't have the morning jaw tightness thing, but someone did ask me if I lost weight after getting my wisdom teeth pulled. I think it has made my face look skinnier...or maybe that's just four days of living off yogurt and mashed potatoes.

#3 Post by **rsprouse** » Wed Mar 29, 2006 6:46 am

Hi,

Most likely you are suffering from Bruxism. You are clenching your teeth at night and do not realize it. This activates the musculature in your jaw. As a test, take a piece of gum or put something in your mouth and bite in to it for 10 minutes. Your jaw is going to be VERY tired in a few minutes from all of the work. Change that 10 minutes into a good nights sleep and you can see why you wake up that way. Speak to your ortho about it, but most likely you will just need to hang in there for the duration of treatment and if you still clench you can get a nightguard to alleviate the issue.

Regarding your facial profile. You have either lost some weight or it is from the surgery If your wisdom teeth were impacted then the OS most likely removed some bone with the teeth. Or depending on where the 3rd molars were located you could have a very thin layer of bone in the area left over after extraction. If it is a thin layer of bone, do not worry as your body will remodel the bone in the coming months and your face will slightly fill out and return to "normal".

Good Luck,
Rory

#4 Post by **materialsgirl** » Wed Mar 29, 2006 4:25 pm

Hey pokergirl, tell me more about this chocolate diet plan you're on. It sounds like something I might like to try.

(see my signature line)

#5 Post by **pokergirl** » Thu Mar 30, 2006 4:05 pm

Thanks nimo and rsprouse for the advice! I probably do need to tell my ortho about it at my next appointment.

materialsgirl, I love your signature line. I've actually used it a couple of times with my friends.