TMJ - continued - night guards

[Larks0ng]

Hi to all, especially those kind people who replied to me about 3 weeks ago. I collected my 'night guard' from the dentist, and am now looking for hints and tips on how I can keep it in my mouth for more than one minute, never mind one night! 😳

I just gag and can't see how I can get over this aversion......has cost me quite a bit so can't afford to just put it in the drawer, and anyway, I was hoping it would help me!

All answers gratefully anticipated - thank you!

[Turquoise-1]

I’m pleased to hear you went to see your Dentist but dismayed you’re struggling to wear it especially as it could hopefully give you some relief. It will feel really strange at first as the space inside your mouth is decreased so it’s no wonder you gag! You’ll either learn to tolerate or you won’t, there’s no middle ground but wearing it for short periods at first will help you to get used to it gradually.

Possibly speak to Dentist who may have some suggestions.

Moisten it before attempting to put it in your mouth & ensure your teeth are clean before wearing it.

Possibly ask Dentist or GP if they could prescribe a muscle relaxant, (Diazepam or Amitriptyline), for a while to see if they help you combat the difficulty you’re having wearing your appliance. If you don’t fancy a prescribed medication there are herbal alternatives which could help.

Basic suggestions from me I know, just hope you manage to conquer the gagging somehow & get some value from the £££s you’ve spent 🙃

[Larks0ng in reply to Turquoise-1]

Thank you so much Turquoise for your speedy reply! I will have to just overcome this little by little. Relaxation techniques etc. Will try it out over a few hours before bedtime before committing to it overnight. Maybe some Bach Flower Rescue Remedy......

Will let you know when I conquer it! Thanks again for your informed advice. 🧞‍♂️😀👍

[MusicalFurbaby]

My new splint definitely took some getting used to—I didn’t sleep at all the first night! My top tip would be to wear it for a couple of hours before bedtime, to help your brain adjust to the new position induced by the splint. I did that the second night and it made a huge difference.

Otherwise, take it back to the dentist and make sure it actually does fit, and that they made it right. It might need to be corrected. They are a big adjustment to make, but hopefully it will be worth it—mine has made a big difference to my daily pain levels!

[Larks0ng in reply to MusicalFurbaby]

Thanks, MFB, your feedback is much appreciated as well. I'm home all day tomorrow and will keep trying it throughout the day just to get used to the feeling of something foreign in my mouth. I can't imagine tolerating it for two minutes, far less two hours...... but I know I must for my own good. Good to hear it has made a significant difference to your pain levels.

Thank you again. 🙏😆

[Sarahjj87]

hello I’ve just finished my 12 weeks with my mouth guard from hospital. Have they given you a top or bottom guard? They gave me a bottom guard only to avoid gagging! It’s still straight to get used to but haven’t had any feeling of needing to gag.

Have you got both or one?? Could you try just bottom guard? Xx

[Larks0ng in reply to Sarahjj87]

Hi Sarahjj, thanks for your reply. I only have a top guard. I have to just persevere with it - just a question of mind over matter, I guess. Interested to hear you had 'finished your 12 weeks with mouthguard' - what happens now? Do you not need to wear it any more? 🤔x

[Sarahjj87 in reply to Larks0ng]

not too sure if mine is tmj or tn.

If I don’t wear my mouth guard I wake up in terrible pain so I know it’s definitely helped. But I’ve been put on tegratol medication as well for pain, as well as having 3 teeth removed 😩.I see the main doctor at the dental hospital on Monday so will see what happens as am still not 100%.

Have you managed a whole night with guard yet? Fingers crossed you get used to it and it helps. Have you been put on a soft food diet? X x

[Larks0ng in reply to Sarahjj87]

Hi Sarah, no I haven't tried a whole night yet. Tried this morning to see if I could tolerate without gagging, and it wasn't so bad, so I'm going to continue throughout the day putting in and seeing how long I can stand it, until I feel I could go a whole night. I haven't been put on a soft food diet but just manage it as best I can.

I hope you get all your treatment sorted out soon. I feel for you! ☺️x

[soul22]

I'd only go for bottom guard if gag still after tips after daytime trials.

I couldn't get on bottom one but top one I can I did gradually I have tmj.

Clean teeth before use also clean mouth guard toothpaste I use no chemicals.

Go back to dentist if not suiting is it a hard guard or flexible type I couldn't use hard type as get ulcers from lupus.

Hope helps

[Larks0ng in reply to soul22]

Hi soul, I am going to persevere throughout the day to see how I get on. So far, so good! My guard is a soft flexible one, so not so bad. Thank you for your input, all feedback is very helpful. 🙏

[soul22 in reply to Larks0ng]

Your welcome 🤗 as as all the best really helps reduce my tmj

[Cas70]

I sympathise- I agree with Turquoise! Good luck

[Larks0ng in reply to Cas70]

Thanks, Cas, I will persevere......👍😆

[Larks0ng]

Well I got through the night wearing my new nightguard! Thanks to everyone for their support and encouragement. Slept for a few hours and seem to have overcome the gagging reaction. Not sure if I 'm posting this in the right place.......It looks as if I'm replying to myself.

[Turquoise-1]

That’s brilliant! Very well done to you & I hope wearing it becomes second nature to you….& that it gives you some relief. I know both from personal & professional (retired Dental Nurse), experience how painful & depressing TMJ pain is.

When you’re not wearing it, wrap it in damp gauze, cotton hankie/cloth/material & put it in a lidded soap box or small food container. Ensure it’s clean before you wrap it, this will help to stop it shrinking & prolong the fit. Although in time you might need a new one as teeth continually move position throughout our lifetime.

Usually Bite Raising Appliances are made to fit over the lower teeth - an impression is taken of your mouth which is sent to a Dental Lab to be made especially for your mouth. Your Dentist obviously had good reason for making an upper one for you though.

Long may your ‘non-gagging’ last! 😃

[Larks0ng in reply to Turquoise-1]

Thank you, Turquoise, for your encouragement! Thanks also for the tip about wrapping it in damp gauze or a handkerchief - I did wonder about that. I will continue on my new 'journey'. Always something new cropping up! Take care, 🦋