Clench teeth

[amoelmar]

Recently I find myself clenching my teeth. Has this happenedto anyon? What do you recommended to stop. I don't feel stressed. It's like my posture, it feels like a magnet pulling me forward. Thanks

[lind-ane]

This sounds like a form of dyskinesia. It's always my first signal that a "bout" is coming on.

[silvestrov]

Many years ago when I was a kid the dentist told me I ground my teeth in my sleep and I should wear a bite guard. The cheapest solution is to wear an athletic bite guard while you sleep. When you are awake you have some awareness of teeth clenching but when sleeping you are on automatic pilot. Sure I have 11 filling in my head but I have all of my teeth and they are in pretty good condition. They cost between .99 and 5 dollars.

[enjoysalud]

I do not have PD, but am a caretaker of a son with PD. As a teenager I was DX with bruxism (grinding my teeth at night and sometimes clinching my jaw). A night-guard was made for me by my dentist (from a mold). I am 75 years old. Since given that night-guard I have never intentionally gone to sleep without it. When I have forgotten (away from home) I have paid the price. A few years ago I recently purchased a new one (it turns yellow with time). It cost over $500 and was NOT covered by insurance. I think Silvestrov's suggestion (below) is a good one. You can learn quickly and cheaply if your sleep is improved. I read an article, CRANIAL DYSTONIA by Dirk Dressler and Ferechte Adib Saberi. "Bruxism" is listed under...other cranial dystonias. I find that interesting. Good luck!

[amoelmar in reply to enjoysalud]

Thank you

[Hidden]

I grind and clench my jaw alot. I have tried the over the counter or sports guards only to bite them in 2 within the first few nights. I have headaches alot because of grinding my teeth in my sleep. I used to have a night guard that was made thru my Dentist office but it eventually became brittle and broke. To replace it is $400.00 and I was told that insurance doesn't cover the cost. I have Dystonia, has anyone found a way of billing it or getting some sort of Dr report stating that it is a necessity to have, in order for insurance to help cover the cost?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Love to all, Darkflower

[Littlerody in reply to Hidden]

It makes me sick that we have to pay for the night guards especially since it is a diagnosed medical condition. We have dental insurance and it won't pay for it. Good luck and be well. Judy

[enjoysalud in reply to Hidden]

Hi Darkflower, from your postings I know your dystonia is severe. I encourage you to TAKE OUT A LOAN to pay for a "proper" night-guard. I think it might help alleviate your condition. I have EXCELLENT dental insurance, but it does NOT cover a night- guard. My dentist (of long ago) prescribed the night-guard because my teeth were being affected. If it were me, and I could not afford a night-guard I would take out a loan. It makes that much difference to the quality of my days. Upon waking, I too use to have headaches. Good luck!

[Hidden in reply to enjoysalud]

enjoysalud,

Well unfortunately I don't have enough $$ coming in to qualify for even a $400 loan and my dentist offc won't let me make payments because it is an out of pocket expense because they have to send out the info to have another man actually make the mouth guard. Otherwise I would because I agree with you a decent night sleep and no headaches would be wonderful!! So you are very lucky that you are able to get a loan that easily. My SSI that I live on is about 1/3 of what I used to make working as a paralegal. Thanks for your posting.

Luv, DF

[enjoysalud in reply to Hidden]

Gosh, I am so sorry. I do not have PD. I am a caretaker of a 54 year old son who has PD. I am retired. Fortunately, I believe that I receive a good pension. My son is on DISABILITY RETIREMENT with CalSTRS. Where I can, I help him. Yes, I am aware that the dentist does NOT make the night-guard, only does the mold, and sends it out to a lab. My fantasy is that the dentist would allow payments (hence a loan). When I was young my parents could hardly make ends meet and our dentist allowed for payments. On the other hand I was born 1940, and perhaps the values of those days were different than todays. Thank you for replying and explaining your economic situation. I believe in prayer....you will be in my prayers.

[Hidden in reply to enjoysalud]

enjoysalud,

Thank you for your POST. Thank you for responding and explaining your childhood to me. Yes the world is a different place now and not a very giving one.

[PositivePen]

I've been clenching my jaw together and thus grinding my teeth for years. I was not aware that this was a symptom of PD at that time. I have also paid for a night guard which sorts the problem for 7 of the 24 hours but have to try very hard to stop myself during the day. So far my teeth are okay - and apart from some crowns are my own!

[amoelmar in reply to PositivePen]

Thanks

[6780]

i recently had teeth implants and already i have chipped them. forward posture i hate so much. i too want to know how to strengthen back or do whatever since i so admire good posture. i have a big butt and i look like i'm pointing it at all when i walk.

[Littlerody]

I have had teeth clenching my whole life. My cousin was a dentist and told my parents from when I was 8. I developed tmj and started breaking teeth while pregnant 31 years ago. I've slept with a night guard since over 30 years. During those years just prior to my diagnosis 7+ years ago I had 3-4 root canals due to abscesses from cracked teeth in like 2 weeks. Hence my advice to you is don't let it go. You can develop ear aches headaches and locked jaw not to mention what I went through. See your dentist or a tmj specialist. Best of luck and be well. Judy.

[amoelmar in reply to Littlerody]

Thank you

[Littlerody in reply to amoelmar]

You're welcome

[Hidden in reply to Littlerody]

Yes i can relate I have broken teeth and had to have them pulled or repaired. It isn't fun. ;-(

[Littlerody in reply to Hidden]

No it isn't Be well Judy

[Hidden in reply to Littlerody]

Thanks Judy

[Sussett]

I have that tendancy to carry stress in my jaws and clench my teeth when anxious. They had diagnosed me with ADHD and gave me ritalin, Oh,,,, That made it 100 times worse, so much so that the muscles to my jaws were very tired by the end of the day where I had no stress at all. I got off the ritalin, and will strech my jaws hold for 30 seconds when I notice I do it, but I normally do it without thinking, but just trying to be conscience of it I think is good so one can try to correct it.

[Astra7]

Magnet is a great description! I have found that Asprin helps with this feeling - I can almost feel relaxation flow through my body after I take it. May be all in my mind though!