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Tmj

tmj

Last week i was tricked by my dentist into getting a night guard. I am not happy with the idea and don't know how much i would use it. He didn't give me many options. So i had the mold made. Being so upset about it called to have it put on hold. I am now rethinking it again. I only have joint issues i do not grind.

My questions: is do you use one? does it help? how does it stay clean? does top or bottom matter? have you found other treatements?
 
You say you don't grind, do you know if you clench? Usually joint issues are caused by one or the other.

I know I clench in my sleep. I don't have a night guard but I probably should. I just don't believe it will do much for me, especially considering the price. But I've tried to do a lot of research on the subject and there just doesn't seem to be anything better.

I hope using the night guard makes a big difference for you. Since you have it I hope you will at least give it a chance. You don't have to keep using it if you don't like it, right?

As to keeping it clean and such, I'm not sure if it's different from a mouth guard. To keep my mouth guard clean I rinse it in mouth wash then water after each use. Then if it starts getting a little "gunky" I brush it with a toothbrush (about once a month).
 
i have it from arthritis. i am debating if i should go through since its over 200, once i tell them to make it it's mine.
 
I've had my night guard for 10+years. It's a top guard used to help with clenching at night. It makes a huge difference. I can tell a difference after a few nights of not wearing it, like when I've got a cold, my jaw and behind my ears just hurt. I clean it by brushing with toothpaste and soaking in efferent just like you would dentures/retainers. It has been well worth the expense.
 
I would imagine if you are sure the TMJ is from arthritis and not grinding or clenching, the night guard would not do anything for you. Did they tell you you showed no signs of nighttime wear (bite lines, teeth wear, scalloped tongue, etc.)?

Do you take anything for the arthritis?
 
TMJ specialist are all not on insurance, and I can't even pretend to go to them. My first attempt caust me 300.

The dentist both clearly said i have no grinding or clenching signs. why is there no good option! my rhemy thought it would go away with the humira but nope. ugg.

I am so caught between not wanting because it seems so unpleasent and i don't see how that would help in the long run. however i feel like dismissing and not trying it is silly it is $255.

At least i now have some good questions to ask.
Thanks
 
Sorry, I realize my last post was pretty negative. I just meant that if that's not what's *causing* the problem, then treating it probably won't help it? I was under the impression that night guards were intended to treat clenching/grinding. If arthritis is the cause then I would try to treat the arthritis, not something that's not even happening? Although if there are night guards that do treat arthritis then that would make sense. Do you have arthritis in your other joints? Has that ever been addressed? There are treatments specifically for arthritis, even taking Prednisone.

I hope you find something that helps. My doc just put me on Celebrex for my arthritis. It's an NSAID but it's supposedly not as damaging to the gut as Ibuprofen and such.
 

Carrie630

The Prettiest Princess
night guards keep you from clenching and grinding and putting pressure on the joint. If you have arthritis that is making your joint become inflamed then a night guard might help alleviate some of the pressure.

also - a lot of people with chronic pain clench without realizing it.

I have a mouth guard but I haven't worn it in a bit. When I'm very nauseous I can't wear it to bed, it makes me feel worse. I end up swallowing air and excess saliva.

I used to take celebrex for my arthritis and back pain (pre back surgery). It works pretty well, but it's a lot more harsh on the stomach (imo) than they're making it out to be.
 
I used to have a night guard many years ago, and it made such a difference in my sleep. I had it because my neurologist recommended it to prevent migraines, and it worked great. However, when I needed a new crown it no longer fit properly and I don't have the money right now to get another one, and I don't get nearly as many migraines any more, so it doesn't seem so urgent. I thought I wouldn't want to sleep with it, that it might be uncomfortable, but once I got it, I realized a properly fitted guard doesn't make much of a difference in the ability to fall asleep.

Carrie, have you dipped the mouth guard in mouthwash when you feel nauseous? I found that the strong mint of the mouthwash flavor actually helped with the nausea.
 
I got a night guard for TMJ (caused by...?) earlier this year and it has made a world of diference. It ended up costing me $250 ish out of pocket after insurance but it was so worth it. I get WAY less headaches now.
 
that's good. my night guard issues have moved up a step. Mine was $400+ in the end and isn't working so it needs to be redone and now I'm also on muscle relaxers, and make the thing thicker :ybatty:
at least i get some muscle relaxers fun out of it. :wink:
 
TMJ is common amongst all auto-immune disorders and it is very serous....there is a Jaw pain / TMJ thread here:
http://www.crohnsforum.com/showthread.php?t=46051

Please also consider LDA Immunotherapy. LDA Immunotherapy will loosen the muscles in your neck/face/head/haw and shoulders.
My super doc here in Oklahoma likes to use LDA and LDN together. I have had amazing results. There is an LDA Immunotherapy thread on this forum...found here:
http://www.crohnsforum.com/showthread.php?t=45977
 
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