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am I jaw clenching when i sleep

Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2009 1:12 pm
by 59fifty
sometimes as i fall asleep i notice im biting down kind of hard,because when i open my jaw i can feel pressure release from my teeth ( or is this normal)

I have a sagital appliance on my upper and braces on my botton

when i wake up my very back right tooth on my upper hurts and feels sensitive but everything else is fine

also when i wake up on my lip sometimes its red like its blood but i dont understand how it can be there because its not touching the braces at that part, but its def blood this is the 2nd time its appeared and i dont feel pain from it or anything but its just red and dark

for my back right sensitive tooth this has been going on and off for 6 months ever since i first got my sag appliance

but i have stoped turning it for about 3 weeks now so i dont know why its happening

not a big deal because it dont hurt it just feels sensitive when i wake up

Jaw Clenching Here, Too !

Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2009 10:37 pm
by HeyLookatMeLookatMe
Jaw Clenching--- Sorry I don't have an answer, but I'm doing the same dang thing------ mostly at night and when I'm sitting and doing something quietly (like replying to this post right now!).

I plan on searching online for some kind of answer and to determine whether or not it's impeding treatment. I'll post again if I find anything.
I'm thinking it's probably not beneficial or detrimental, but wha'do I know?? : )

I have clear braces on top and bottom 'installed' on 1/26/09.

Posted: Mon Feb 16, 2009 10:14 am
by KLOU117
I told my orthodontist about this, as it happens to me on occasion (rarely though). He said it has something to do with the teeth getting used to their new positions. Sorry I don't really remember more of the details of what he was saying. He said since I wasn't having any jaw pain when I woke up that it wasn't a big deal and would stop soon. I would definitely mention this to your orthodontist though. It's probably not a huge deal but better safe than sorry.

clenching

Posted: Fri Mar 20, 2009 4:48 am
by oharabrat
I was severly unbeknownest to me at the time was clenching. I did tons of reading on this back in Dec 08. could not figure why I was. Read that a very common reason adults may clench is due to stress.

I did not believe it when I read it. My ortho, famiy and friends have told me of the same thing. Now yes I was very stressed when this was going on. I could not believe that stress would cause clenching.

So I made an active choice to stop and also address the stresses in my life and the clenching has stopped.

I hope this helps anyone who comes across this thread. there is alot online to read about for these issues and concerns.

Posted: Sat Mar 21, 2009 7:09 am
by 59fifty
ive been in braces now for a month or 2 and the clenching isnt that bad when going to sleep
however when i wake up i yawn and instead of opening my mouth wide i clench my jaw real hard and it feels good and satisfying but i immediately stop myself becuz i dont want to move my teeth

i dont understand why it feels good when i wake up and somtimes my jaw will just snap

if my mouth is open u wil hear me like snap my jaw its wierd and uncontrollable. however i do not ever wake up with a sore jaw so maybe its not that bad. I am aware that stress is an issue but i honestly dont have a cure for that :(

Posted: Sat Mar 21, 2009 9:42 am
by marycotter5678
I think I clench at night on my right back side only. When I wake up that area is actually sore and most times I wake up I'm still clenchign really hard on it --- lately my cheeks have been getting very irritated as well I guess because maybe I bite the skin or something...
I will ask my ortho at the next visit if maybe I can have a mouth guard or something I dunno... can you have a mouth guard with braces?

Posted: Sat Mar 21, 2009 11:53 am
by jenjen
59fifty, if you're clenching it's strange you don't wake with stiff jaw joints. Maybe you're just lucky! I've always clenched my jaw in my sleep since childhood, my ortho told me he'd get me some kind of tooth/gum shield once the braces are done.

I always have trouble yawning after waking, the jaw joints creaking and clicking! If anyone's found some good online tips, would love a link to read up on it. Obviously as it's a sleep thing I can't consciously stop it. I'm lucky to be not particularly stressed, so that can't be the cause.

JJ

Posted: Wed Jun 17, 2009 12:27 pm
by dentaladvisor2009
Hi 59fifty,

When you get your braces off and you continue to jaw clench (this goes for anyone), I would recommend getting a night guard (mouth guard) of some sort. There are plenty of places to check out .. go to your doctor first for advice, but I would recommend getting a mouth guard from one of the best providers online, TotalGard .. they're listed on google. Check them out and you should be able to find something that eliminates the clenching issue.

Good Luck!

Dave

Posted: Thu Jun 18, 2009 5:18 am
by Briggsy
I too clench, but it doesn't always give me a stiff jaw... but I do get chronic neck pain, very similar that of whiplash where you cannot tip your head forward to put your chin on your chest or turn your head wither way. I take pain relief to manage this which works quite well. Hang on in there.... it'll ease...

Posted: Thu Jun 18, 2009 6:06 am
by dentaladvisor2009
Briggsy,

Have you ever tried a mouth guard before?

Posted: Mon Jun 22, 2009 12:24 pm
by Briggsy
Dear Dentaladvisor

I reply, yes i have tried a mouth guard. Initially i had rubber ones and chewed right through them. Next, I had hard plastic ones, which lasted longer. But I'm afraid i stopped wearing them, as over the course of a year I had 3 crowns, which meant a new mouth guard everytime. What with the cost of the crowns (as I'm in the UK) I didn;t want to stretch to mouthguards too.... Can you wear them with braces?.. I am concerned that i may chew my way through my retainer (when I get to that stage).. Any advice would be grately recieved....