September 4, 2023

[lizzybuffy2008]

4 – Mouthguard Day: Have you ever had to wear a mouthguard, either because you practised a certain sport, or as protection because you tend to grind your teeth at night, or for some other reason?

No and no. Some years ago, a dentist said I might need one due to clenching my teeth, but I seemed to have stopped doing that...

Comments

[twelvthdoctor]

I'm supposed to be wearing one for grinding my teeth. I don't like the cheap drugstore ones because they hurt my teeth in the similar way braces used to, but my dental insurance isn't great and only covers $400 a year, so basically enough for two cleanings, an X-ray, and some change. Not enough for a custom-fitted mouth guard.

[lizzybuffy2008]

I don't think it would have made a difference for me; I don think I was clenching while asleep, but while awake in concentration. Once I figured that out, I could make myself stop doing it.

[twelvthdoctor]

I do during the day, as well. I've caught myself so many times but haven't found an effective approach to stop yet. It's all stress-related, and the stress is ever-present. There are mornings I wake up with a sore jaw, and I have a receding gum line, so I know I do it at night, too. I've had issues in the past with my TMJ that made me think I had an ear infection, until an ENT figured it out.