Teeth Clenching

Message

#1 Post by **Briggsy** » Sun Jun 07, 2009 11:48 am

I've been braced for 3 weeks. However I become aware that I am clenching my teeth during the night. I am curious to know if this could be causing the muscles in my neck and shoulders to go into spasm? My neck is so stiff I cannot tip my head up or down and my shoulders are rigid. (this makes driving abit precarious) I just can't think what else this could be down too...
Has anyone else had a problem with their neck/shoulders due to clenching teeth? Or am I just odd!

#2 Post by **snashe** » Sun Jun 07, 2009 1:50 pm

I had (well, i still have but it has been worse) tmj problem and jaw muscles problems and it used to give me shoulder and neck muscle problems. There are greats chances that bite-problems and/or clenching can cause theses problems.

#3 Post by **hal2me** » Mon Jun 08, 2009 7:43 am

Hi Briggsy,

I have had my braces almost 3 months now and still clench my teeth. If you search the posts, you will see a number of us do this as well. It is completely normal. I think we clench our teeth because it feels good. We are not aware of this while we are sleeping. Sometimes I clench so hard it wakes me up from a sound sleep

#4 Post by **Takako** » Mon Jun 08, 2009 7:52 pm

I knew I had some clenching problems when awake, like when I was cold or focusing on something, but I never knew I did it in my sleep until braces!! I started waking up in the morning and suddenly squeeking my teeth against each other as my jaw relaxed. It doesn't happen every morning, but it was an uncomfortable surprise the first time it happened.

#5 Post by **Briggsy** » Tue Jun 09, 2009 5:53 am

Update: went to Ortho yesterday for advice. Apparently it is the jaw muscle thingy (can't remember the proper terminology). Typical... trust me to be difficult. I've grAnyway he has tightened my top braces (and I'm only 3 weeks in). The ligs are now replaced by white wire ties... a few teeth are abit sore this morning but not too bad atall. The only advice about the teeth clenching was about the pain relief or removing the bottom arch - which I obviously don't want to do.... Anyway, my neck is less stiff while I'm popping the pills.... thanks for listening to me rant... :0)

#6 Post by **elleda** » Wed Jul 01, 2009 6:18 pm

I'm on day 2 of braces and am having problems with clenching also. I wake up and am in so much pain i can't stand it. The doctor's office gave me a sport mouth guard hoping that will help as I can't use my normal bite guard.
Any tips or tricks will be appreciated!

#7 Post by **Margie** » Wed Jul 01, 2009 8:48 pm

I clench my teeth when I sleep now as well. I didn't do it before I got braces so I am assuming I do it because of the braces. I have had my braces for just over a month now and I don't think I clench my teeth as much anymore, or not as badly anyway because it isn't waking me up like it was. I didn't get stiff or anything because of it, my jaw would be a little bit sore when I would wake up but that was it.

#8 Post by **katiekate** » Thu Jul 02, 2009 2:05 am

I was clenching my teeth in my sleep really badly when I first got mine on (never clenched before in my life)... but now three months in, I either dont do it anymore or I just dont notice it!

good luck with the neck / shoulder tension!