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My mouth wouldn't open

9 Responses to “My mouth wouldn't open”

1. Joan.of.the.Arch Says:
   January 27th, 2009 at 09:13 am
   My sister WAS both a day and night jaw clencher. She bought an over the counter night-time mouthguard off the clearance end cap at Target, and in just three nights had broken the night-time habit. Unfortunately in day time, she just kept right on doing it. She only had to use the thing a few nights, though I think they generally say it will take weeks....A friend on disability was a night time clencher and had Medicare pay for her pricey custom mouth guard some years ago. I worked for her, too, and in only a few nights. I was sorry she did not try the over the counter one first. It probably would have cost less than her co-pay.

2. Little L Says:
   January 27th, 2009 at 09:15 am
   OMG, that's scary. I had the jaw popping thing recently and my jaw would hurt on the left side if I chewed too hard on something. Thankfully it never locked and the popping eventually went away, well most of it... I can still detect a slight popping but nothing like before. I wonder if I am clenching my teeth when I am sleeping. Hope the guard helps.

3. Carolina Bound Says:
   January 27th, 2009 at 09:20 am
   Yes, I had TMJ, oh, about ten years ago. I actually had surgery to correct it -- I needed it anyway to correct my bite as well. I tried the mouthguard, both the custom and the OTC, but found I cannot sleep with one. I think my night grinding is better, anyway. But since I don't sleep with anyone, no one can tell me! My teeth are quite worn from the damage I did in the past, and I am hoping I won't eventually have to get implants in place of my front lowers.
   
   Anyway, my advice is, get it corrected quickly, and if surgery is recommended, do it. Insurance will cover most of the cost, as it is a medical procedure.

4. mom-sense Says:
   January 27th, 2009 at 09:24 am
   I am a jaw locker as well, I have no enamel on my teeth from a lifetime of grinding/clenching. I have a night guard that was made custom by my dentist. It was covered mostly by insurance. It can be modified depending on what is done - cavities filled, etc. Good luck with your situation. I think the night guard will definitely help (evenly distributes the weight from your jaw compression).

5. ceejay74 Says:
   January 27th, 2009 at 10:27 am
   I think I clench my jaw at night; when I had an infection and surgery recently, my back tooth resettled a bit lower than it had been, and eventually I would wake myself up with flashes of pain from biting down too hard on it. At least it cured my clenching, not sure if permanently. After a few times like that I didn't wake myself up anymore, so my sleep-self learned not to do it. They recently filed my shifted tooth down to match the rest of my bite, so I wonder if I will go back to clenching eventually.
   
   During the day I click my teeth together, usually rhythmically in time to whatever song is running through my head. I've had to cut back on that too, with my newly tender teeth and gums.

6. lizajane Says:
   January 27th, 2009 at 03:33 pm
   I've noticed a bigger problem with jaw pain since November last year when I found I would be losing my job at the end of '08. So, I think I'm doing some serious clenching/grinding also due to the stress. I haven't done anything about it, but I am going to see what the dentist says next week when I go for a cleaning. I did notice a small chip in one of my front teeth that I'll have them file, but in the back of my mind I've been wondering if it could be caused by the clenching. DH will sometimes wake me up by telling me me "quit!" when we've gone to bed and he thinks I'm still awake and grinding my teeth but I've already drifted off.
   
   Your stories are scaring me to the point that I'd better do something about it!
   
   ceejay, I've never heard of anyone clicking their teeth together to a song. I don't know whether to find that interesting or odd (no offense intended), but it's a first for me!!!

7. HouseHopeful Says:
   January 27th, 2009 at 03:46 pm
   Sorry to hear about your jaw. Feel better soon!

8. homebody Says:
   January 27th, 2009 at 04:52 pm
   My youngest daughter had real problems with it, we saw a surgeon and he told her to relax, but gave her a night guard thing. I don't, but I have had that sensation of a cracking when yawning really wide. I have never had my jaw lock, but just the start of the sensation and the pain is very scary.
   
   Oh YD did do well with the mouth guard and I do think it was something she was going through in her teenage years.

9. frugaltexan75 Says:
   January 27th, 2009 at 05:21 pm
   I too have the problem of clenching my teeth - esp. at night. I have a night guard, but haven't used it in years because its impossible for me to sleep with it in my mouth. I really should use it though.
   
   That does sound quite scary to have your jaw lock up on you like that. I hope you get good news at your appt.

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