Hi ya'll! I just wanted to let you know that I went to my dentist today. First time in over 2 years. And what he found was interesting and I thought I'd share since all of us here have pain in some way or another. I have within a number of teeth tiny fractures and grooves caused from clenching my teeth. Jaw clenching as you may know is a side effect of Fibro, sometimes leading to TMJ. However, the grooves and cracks in my teeth are caused my clenching my jaw while sleeping, usually my dentist said from anxiety or pain. I told him to type it up and I'll send it to my SS case manager! Bottom line, I need 2 crowns and two new fillings as well as a mouth guard. The mouth guard alone costs $528, and may not be covered by my insurance since I don't have TMJ. So, go get your teeth checked, for cracks, and I guess until I can afford a mouth guard, I'll be sticking a sock in my mouth when I go to bed.

Oh, and for all those posts about bacteria in your mouth causing Fibro. I talked to my dentist, he said there is research showing a link to heart disease, and the research is ongoing for a possible link to diabetes, as well as other conditions. But...I have had an official diagnosis of Fibro for nearly 3 years, I have never had a problem with bacteria in my mouth, and today, at my dentist, there was no bacteria found. And they used some pretty sofisticated instruments to look for hidden bacteria. As a matter of fact, execpt for the "crushing" my teeth have endured, my check up went so well, I got a little gold star that the technician proudly stuck on my shirt! LOL, I guess they don't give out loli pops anymore.

So, there's a bit of info for you all to "chew" on!

Have a good one!
tk

tk-I was interested in your post. I just went to the dentist yesterday and I also have cracks in my teeth from grinding. My dentist recommended a night guard, but I know that I grind more in the day than at night. He also confirmed I have no mouth bacteria but that my teeth are moving in my gums because of the pressure I'm putting on them. I'm also uninsured, so your sock idea might be one I'll have to try. I hope you find some help for this problem.
blackbird 2

I wonder if you can buy those mouth guard thingies on the Internet. Maybe there's some place that sells them, instead of getting them through a dentist. I mean, they might not be as good, but better than nothing.

About the grinding, and during the day, maybe if you get one, you could just wear it around the house. I do all my damage at night. When this is all over, I'll have 2 new crowns, and at least two new fillings.

Its frustrating when you try to take good care of your gums, and end up crunching your teeth because you are in pain!

Have a good day!
tk

TK,

Yes, you can buy them online

Chris

Cool! Thanks for the info. I'll take a "looksee"!

tk

Hi. This is of real interest to me. I broke a back tooth while eating popcorn a few weeks ago. The dentist repaired it and has me booked in to do seven other repairs to cracked teeth. He said nothing about mouth braces or any connection to fibro.
I am not aware that I grind my teeth, but who knows what I do in my sleep.
I must add this to my list for my doc on next visit.
Thanks for info.

Brend

Couldnt you try the mouth gaurd that you can get for hockey or football, you mold them to your own teeth so they fit proper. In my neck of the woods you can find them at most store once school starts and they dont cost too much, usually under $10.00.

I looked those up on the Net and I don't think that they are intended for "long term" wear. I did, however find a place online that will sell them to you for $99, for either the top or bottom, I think most people can jsut get by with the bottom. This website was recommended by the ADA and they send you the kit to make your plaster impressions (which sounds messy) and then you send them back and they send you your mouth guard. I don't need mine right away. My dentist wants to get all the work on my teeth done first before I get the mouth guards. But the receptionist at the dentist said that some times your major medical will pick this up as coverage. Kinda like wrists splints for your wrists. The term for this condition is called Bruxism.

Have a good day everyone.
tk

My dentist office hygenist told me to try the football mouthg guards and they are cheap and work rather well. THe kind from the dentist is not as comfortable and costs a ton. The $10 ones you drop in boiling water to soften and then put in your mouth and bite down to shape. IT did help me but it was hard to keep it in my mouth all night because in my sleep I take it out and throw it away.

That's why I'm so resistant to even finding out ifI have sleep apnea. I don't want some thing in my mouth all night.

Oh and I have cracked teeth too. - Andy

interesting, i grind my teeth and jaw clicks alot in morning? is thst to do with teeth grinding? thanksx

Hi april! That was what I asked my dentist about, the jaw popping. I ususally only experience it in the morning when I first wake up. It's like I have to "adjust" my jaw. Usually teeth grinding will cause the surface of your teeth to flatten. When you go to the dentist and they use the little camera to look at your teeth, you will see how the tops of your back teeth are flat. You can probably look in a magnifying mirror and tell. Cracking and grooves in the teeth come from the pressure of clenching your jaw, which puts so much pressure on your "bite" that your teeth will crack. You can actually see the little cracks in them when you look at the close up pictures your dentist takes with the camera. But even grinding your teeth will benefit from a mouth guard. The only thing that worries me about having the mouth guard is all that salivia that builds up in your mouth when there's something it there. Heck, if I hold the end of a pen in my mouth while I'm reading and writing stuff, it's like Niagra Falls. So I just picture either choking on my own spit, or waking to a huge puddle of drool in the morning. Ahhh, the wonders of being in pain. And I wonder, what will be next! LOL
Have a good day.
tk

I too clench my teeth at night, even waking up with headaches from it. Havent been to the dentist in years but maybe I will start saving now to go and get more info added to ssdi case. I clench during the day too but like you not nearly as bad as at night. Its weird and uncontrollable

Hi apirl. It could be. Teeth grinding is very common. I remember my mom did it a lot. When I was little I slept with her a few times, and I can still remember the wierd sound coming from my mother! LOL Needless to say, I chose not to sleep with her too often!
My best advice,would be, go see your dentist. I think seeing your dentist rates right up there with mamograms! But like me, I waited 2 years and looked what happended to my teeth in the mean time.

Good luck.
tk