I cant stop clenching! Agh!

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Grutty
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I cant stop clenching! Agh!

#1 Post by Grutty »

For the past 2 weeks or so, I have been constantly clenching my teeth together, which is giving me headaches and jaw pain. I have always clenched and ground my teeth at night, but not during the day.

Every time I notice that I am clenching, I stop, but then 5 minutes later I am clenching again! :roll:

Has anyone else had this problem? Any tips on getting it to stop, or do I just have to wait it out? :(
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CuriosityAndTheFeline
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#2 Post by CuriosityAndTheFeline »

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Last edited by CuriosityAndTheFeline on Fri Dec 05, 2008 3:34 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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TWild
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#3 Post by TWild »

I do this too :x

My molars have loosened up and it feels good to clench - kinda like massaging them or something .
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jjjmac
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Location: Portland, OR

#4 Post by jjjmac »

I've been braced a little over a week now, and I noticed I'm doing this a lot too. I've never been one to grind my teeth or clench, so I've been a little worried about it. It' seems to be the worst for me right when I wake up (because I imagine I clench all night long), but I've noticed myself doing it a lot during the day also. I keep trying to stop myself when I notice I'm doing it, but like you said... 5 minutes later...

I was hoping it's something that goes away once you're more accostomed to having the braces on?
First Ortho Consult: 6/12/08
4 premolars extracted: 11/4/08
Braced Upper & Lower w/TPA: 11/6/08
Debraced: 11/18/10
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tammers1010
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#5 Post by tammers1010 »

I have a tendency to do this when my mouth gets sore, I don't know why. It only makes the pain worse. Did you just have an adjustment? Usually that's when I start to clench. I usually clench more in the evening or night, maybe a mouth guard would help if it happens when you're sleeping.
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BracedVeryLate
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#6 Post by BracedVeryLate »

I find myself clenching all the time too, and I never did this before. I think I might have posted this somewhere....
I too have found that if you place your tongue between your teeth, you will surely know immediately if you start clenching. I was clenching more on one side because my molars only hit on the left side.
It seems to have subsided over the last week or so, so hang in there. My ortho told me it was a counter action to the pressure on my molars....
take care!
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TheNewEmperor
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#7 Post by TheNewEmperor »

I got two new archwires last Friday and have been in a teeth clenching frenzy since then :roll: It's not painful but I am aware that it is officially not a good thing to do for my teeth's health
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Grutty
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#8 Post by Grutty »

My last adjustment was 2 weeks ago, I think that was when the clenching started. Like some of you mentioned, it feels kind of good to clench, but after I have been doing it all day and night, my jaws start to get sore. I was in pain when I woke up this morning, ouch! :soremouth:

I will try the tongue between the teeth trick. I dont know what to do when I am sleeping though. Can you use a night guard with braces? I think this has been discussed before, I will go search the board. :computer:
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braceface418
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#9 Post by braceface418 »

After having my braces put on, I felt compelled to chew on everything for the first month or thereabouts. I bought a sack full of bite wafers and, after my first adjustment today, I suspect I'll be dipping back in to them soon. My electric toothbrush feels really nice as well, which is just more motivation to brush frequently. It sort of reminds me of "working through" muscle pain after starting a new exercise regimen. It hurts... and yet, it feels so good.
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missanne
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Joined: Fri Nov 14, 2008 9:34 pm
Location: Los Angeles, Ca

#10 Post by missanne »

I have had braces now for 3 1/2 weeks and just this week have woke up clenching!! Apparently it is happening in my sleep and I don't know how to stop either ;-(
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SilentReader
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#11 Post by SilentReader »

I wake up each day now, having found out that i've been clenching my teeth the whole night cause I wake up with a tired jaw.

I clench now cause of the elastics I have on; they restrict my jaw movement and it feels like if I clench my teeth, it won't stretch the elastics as much so they don't lose their elasticity as quickly, allowing them to do its job.

After braces, I can't even remember what it felt like before, for my mouth to feel 'natural'.
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