Elastics and Clenching...

[drgnchsr36]

Anyone with elastics have issue with clenching? I seem to do it more often when I have the elastics in... Just wondering if that's pretty normal...

I'm trying to concentrate on not clenching...

[catgyrl]

YESYESYESYESYES!!! I've had triangles and Class II elastic configurations, and both caused me to clench my teeth a ton, especially at night. Since yesterday, I have had zigzag elastics, and now my teeth are clenched 24-7. Not just closed together... CLENCHED like someone was pushing up on my chin and down on my head at the same time. They are like this the whole time the elastics are in, and it never loosens up... At least not yet.

Don't fight the clenching. Your jaws need to move into their proper place, and fighting it won't help. (Yes, I need to take my own advice... LOL!)

I've found that warm cloths or heat packs help alleviate it a bit. Snowglobe32 recommends heating pads, so I tried that last night. AWESOME!

[TMJJill]

Not long after getting braces, I started wearing elastics while I sleep at night. My clenching/bruxism got horrible with the elastics. It is so bad that I clench down on my tongue while sleeping and wake myself up throughout the night.

[Snowglobe32]

I've found that warm cloths or heat packs help alleviate it a bit. Snowglobe32 recommends heating pads, so I tried that last night. AWESOME!

Yay!!!! Someone finally took my advice. I am glad it worked Cathy!

[catgyrl]

I'm using it right now as I type this!!! I wish I had a strap to attach it around my head; it feels wonderful.

[cheerrabbit]

Ooooo, I'll have to keep heating pads in mind. I've been clenching like crazy since I started elastics.

[BracedSurgeryStudent]

I do for sure and my ortho noticed it .

[drgnchsr36]

YESYESYESYESYES!!! I've had triangles and Class II elastic configurations, and both caused me to clench my teeth a ton, especially at night. Since yesterday, I have had zigzag elastics, and now my teeth are clenched 24-7. Not just closed together... CLENCHED like someone was pushing up on my chin and down on my head at the same time. They are like this the whole time the elastics are in, and it never loosens up... At least not yet.

Don't fight the clenching. Your jaws need to move into their proper place, and fighting it won't help. (Yes, I need to take my own advice... LOL!)

I've found that warm cloths or heat packs help alleviate it a bit. Snowglobe32 recommends heating pads, so I tried that last night. AWESOME!

Hmm. So you just put the heating pad on your jaw??

I'm not fighting the clenching..but it makes things really difficult when I'm trying to floss / brush at night and in the morning.. I have issues with my jaw locking and after all the clenching, it feels like I can't open my mouth up very wide..

[kreyFL]

I love when someone post something and suddenly I don't feel so alone. My bruxism was pretty bad - and is actually what prompted me to get braces in the first place. I clench-grind-chew so bad at night I get divots on my tongue on the sides (both before and with braces). I had a night guard before my braces which was awesome but of course we are left to suffer with the braces on. I have found that I have had virtually no issues with my nighttime issues since I have had braces put on until 5 weeks ago when I got elastics. I have one elastic from my upper left canine to my lower molar that I have to wear 24/7 and low and behold the clenching and tongue chewing has flared up again. Being pregnant I wake up often at night anyway and find myself with my teeth clamped together upon waking up. Thankfully I have not had any muscle or jaw joint pain but I did want to give my two cents.

I am a firm believer that whatever works for you, works best. However, if you are having any jaw pain, muscle spasms, soreness in your joint, etc etc then heat is usually a no-no. It feels relieving (and for some people I am sure it is just fine) but usually it is inflammation that causes the soreness and pain and heat is bad for inflammation. I have found that any ibuprofen (I preferred Alieve honestly over Advil) and a cool compress is what would offer me long term relief and usually made it go away completely. When I did use heat, it felt good but the pain never went away and I was using a warm compress every night for a week before I thought "okay this isnt working".

Anyway, I too have had some major clenching issues since getting my elastics both day and night. I am having to keep reminding myself that I need to keep my teeth separated. Its super annoying! Just one of braces lil bi*ches! lol

[drgnchsr36]

Thanks for all the replies! Yes.. I keep reminding myself to open my bite a bit and clench them together. I think the molar buildups are also slightly the cause too, since the more I bite down the more I'm trying to smooth them out so I can bite normally (it feels more normal, but still squishy, which makes me want to bite more).. anyways, I'll try the suggestions!