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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask for your help with jaw clenching/grinding

56 replies

CloudsCloudsClouds · 17/04/2019 10:00

I have TMD and all my life I’ve had a habit of clenching my jaw. I used to grind my teeth but through steely determination I’ve managed to stop that. Jaw clenching OTOH... I do it in my sleep and it wakes me up throughout the night.

I had a custom-made guard from the dentist but it only makes it worse, and from what I’ve read a lot of dentists don’t like prescribing them anymore for this reason.

Aside from the soreness and aching throughout the day, my masseter muscles are enlarged and make my face look rounder than it is Sad

OP posts:
thetemptationofchocolate · 17/04/2019 10:09

Watching with great interest as I too suffer this way. I've broken many teeth so now I wear a nightguard but that doesn't stop the jaw clenching.
I think it's become such a habit and I'd love to find a way to break that habit.

StillMedusa · 17/04/2019 10:09

No advice, but I share your pain...and woke myself up twice last night grinding my teeth! My neck hurts and I'm pretty sure it's from the clenching!
I'd say if the botox works, go for it!

Original poster
CloudsCloudsClouds · 17/04/2019 10:19

I get neck pain too Medusa

The worst part is, the more it hurts, the more I want to clench. It’s a horrible vicious cycle Sad

I really can’t afford the Botox right now but I may just have to make it work somehow. Last night it was so bad I was almost in tears and had to take cocodamol.

OP posts:
daisychicken · 17/04/2019 10:38

Another sufferer here. Also have the neck pain, jaw pain, pain across the bridge of my nose. I have a guard and use it as I'm worried I'm going to break my teeth but, I'm also convinced that at the same time, it does make the clenching worse..

I only clench when asleep but I've no idea how to stop myself doing it.. 😔

princesskatethefirst · 17/04/2019 10:41

I'm an eternal jaw clenched and grinder. I have through persistence with the maxio-facial consultant had Botox on the NHS for 3 years now. Can honestly say it's changed my life, no more daily headaches etc. Persist persist persist, in the end I just outright asked for it. There's a treatment for this they should offer it too you.

Cecily75 · 17/04/2019 10:46

Another clencher and grinder here! I share your pain Flowers

OP have you tried massaging and exercising your neck? I've had a couple of massages and the masseur focuses on my cheeks (jaw muscles) and neck because of tension there. It's helped relieve some of the tightness, but can't stop it unfortunately.

I've only recently started using a night guard, but that doesn't really stop the grinding or clenching. I suppose it just protects the teeth a little?

I'm finding it difficult to keep the guard clean, despite brushing it each morning it still smells Blush My dentist is adamant that I should only use water on it, but I've tried those denture tabs and the guard has turned yellow already. How do you guys stop your guard from smelling?

Original poster
CloudsCloudsClouds · 17/04/2019 11:01

@princessskatethefirst

Wow, I didn’t know this was possible through the NHS. How often do you have the injections? Did you do it through your GP or through your dentist?

OP posts:
ScrewyMcScrewup · 17/04/2019 11:05

Botox is the only thing that really works according to the research I found. Would love to know where you got it for £285 as that's bloody cheap!

ScrewyMcScrewup · 17/04/2019 11:08

Sorry, that seems really nasty now I read it back. I know it's not cheap when you can't afford it.

I hope you can get it on the NHS. I don't know how I coped with the misery of those daily headaches for so many years.

One thing that did give some relief was massaging the masseter. You have to hook a finger in your mouth and push the muscle against another finger on your cheek - I learned from a YouTube video.

CharlottesInterWeb · 17/04/2019 11:09

Watching with interest - another teeth clencher here. I've broken teeth and am currently waiting for the fitting for my night guard next week. I was hoping it would help but reading this thread, I'm not confident now.
Mine is utterly stress-related. I wish I could live a stress-free life! Sick of the headaches, gum pain - and the flipping dentist!

princesskatethefirst · 17/04/2019 11:20

The dentist refereed me after the gum shield was doing nothing. I see her every 3/4 months and she injects my jaw and side of my head. It takes literally ten minutes and only really stings as it goes in, mainly because the muscles are so hard. They sent me away twice before I lost it a bit to be honest as it was ruining my daily life. So glad I did.

roundligament · 17/04/2019 11:22

@CloudsCloudsClouds

That is horrific
Can you get a referral to the pain team and have it done via the NHS
I am so sorry you are suffering it is the worst knowing something helps but it being unattainable

Xxx

ScrewyMcScrewup · 17/04/2019 11:23

Charlottes The shield protects our teeth but it doesn't stop us clenching or grinding. And because the plastic is so hard we clench or grind harder. Is botox a possibility for you?

Xiaoxiong · 17/04/2019 11:25

I quit my job. The jaw clenching (of many years' standing, and the despair of my dentist) reduced immediately and stopped after a couple of months. I occasionally still have a night that I wake myself up clenching but it's so rare these days.

RobinHumphries · 17/04/2019 11:30

Cerezen?

Original poster
CloudsCloudsClouds · 17/04/2019 11:37

That sounds like a plan, princesskate. I’ve been complaining about it at appointments for years so I’ll step it up next time I go. Every dentist I have seen at my surgery says ‘hmmm, big masseter muscles’ but never does anything about it Hmm

round thank you. I had no idea they could do this on the NHS. The last I read, Botox was a bit frowned upon so perhaps they’ve moved on now and are accepting that it works.

screwy I’m happy to give you the details of we’re in a similar part of the country. She’s a dentist but also offers Botox in her surgery.

OP posts:
Benes · 17/04/2019 11:39

I was prescribed muscle relaxants which helped break the cycle.

roundligament · 17/04/2019 11:43

I go to the London pain clinic on Harley st to have Botox done in my back but I have it done at the hospital on Weymouth st.
I found the pain team really over worked at my nhs hospital and I didn't want to take drugs (wanted to get pregnant)

If you use the pain team with the nhs and know where the injections need to be then constant contact with them wouldn't be required as such, just a few times a year I guess?

Ask the GP to refer you to the pain team because it's chronic pain now you've had it longer then six weeks

Sending you lots of love I know how awful every day pain is xx

Fluffymullet · 17/04/2019 12:48

Have you considered seeing a physiotherapist? Tmj disorder seems to link with posture, particularly neck issues and also links to your pelvic floor. Also stress reduction and mindfulness. Don't forget your body below your neck has a huge influence.

ScrewyMcScrewup · 17/04/2019 13:46

Clouds I'm in the South Hertfordshire/NW London area. Smile

Original poster
CloudsCloudsClouds · 17/04/2019 15:14

I’m actually seeing a physiotherapist about something else at the moment but she hasn’t mentioned anything particular about my posture. I’ve had to take some cocodamol again as it’s so sore today. I think my masseter muscles could compete in the world weightlifting championship Grin

Screwy I’m quite a way south of you so I don’t think you’ll want to travel to the dentist I see Smile

OP posts:
JustDanceAddict · 17/04/2019 15:21

My DH has this and not sure how effective the mouthguard is. I have heard physio can help.,

alliejay81 · 17/04/2019 15:37

I'm just at the start of this journey, so really helpful to read these tips! I've managed to whack my jaw out of line, and no idea where to go for help - thankfully I'm not in pain - my main plan is to ignore it and hope it goes away. But I think I might make a GP appointment instead having read this. Thank you Thanks and very much hope you get sorted on the NHS OP.

Fluffymullet · 17/04/2019 15:51

@cloudscloudsclouds mention it to her. It would be quite a specific thing to assess. If you are being seen for a knee or ankle she may not have even looked at you neck/shoulder back/posture. I would say (as a physio) we don't get taught much about tmj, but an experienced physio who specialisies in musckuloskeletal (looking at muscles, bones and joints) should be able to look at it. You might come across a blank expression with pelvic floor connection too. I have an interest as I am a teeth grinder/clencher. Also acupuncture could be worth a try if you not considered it.

I just think it's worth thinking why is your masseter muscle so tight? Its unusal for someone to gave perfect posture but tightness in just one muscle. Especially as you had the botox which helped for a bit. BOTOX is thought to get less effective with repeat doses ( from experience ). What's going on at your neck and shoulders would be my first thought

tierraJ · 17/04/2019 16:00

I have this problem during the day since I started taking anti psychotics, it's worse when I'm stressed.

I actually find that chewing gum relieves the discomfort. At work it's not ideal to be chewing gum though.

I think it's a common side effect of anti psychotics. My hand tremors as well.

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