I have pretty much always had the problem of clenching my jaw when I sleep. I've never been much of a molar grinder (try sleeping next to one of THOSE!), but I was TERRIBLE for clenching.
My dentist brought it up with me almost three years ago, and I got fitted with an NTI. Basically, it's just an acrylic thing that fits over my bottom front teeth. The physiology of it indicates that humans don't clench their jaws until their canine teeth meet. If they can't meet, you don't clench! (...theoretically...I don't know..) Expensive little rascal. Hard to get used to as well, but...
Today I went for my dental checkup.
They asked whether I still used my appliance and I pretty much volunteered to be the poster child! I used to wake up with headaches several times a week, but now that only happens when I...deserve it. My speech isn't slurred in the morning like it was (from jaw muscle fatigue), my ears don't ring as loud (irritated blood vessels), I don't have dark circles under my eyes (same), and my gums aren't receded anymore (diminished blood flow).
It really occurs to me when I shave, especially at the back of my jaw. I can move my face in the mornings like I wasn't able to back when I put all that force on those jaw/facial muscles all night, and it's comfortable now!
The last dentist I went to tried to convince me it was a bunch of snake oil, medicine show hooey, but I think it really works for me.
My dentist brought it up with me almost three years ago, and I got fitted with an NTI. Basically, it's just an acrylic thing that fits over my bottom front teeth. The physiology of it indicates that humans don't clench their jaws until their canine teeth meet. If they can't meet, you don't clench! (...theoretically...I don't know..) Expensive little rascal. Hard to get used to as well, but...
Today I went for my dental checkup.
They asked whether I still used my appliance and I pretty much volunteered to be the poster child! I used to wake up with headaches several times a week, but now that only happens when I...deserve it. My speech isn't slurred in the morning like it was (from jaw muscle fatigue), my ears don't ring as loud (irritated blood vessels), I don't have dark circles under my eyes (same), and my gums aren't receded anymore (diminished blood flow).
It really occurs to me when I shave, especially at the back of my jaw. I can move my face in the mornings like I wasn't able to back when I put all that force on those jaw/facial muscles all night, and it's comfortable now!
The last dentist I went to tried to convince me it was a bunch of snake oil, medicine show hooey, but I think it really works for me.