For some time now I have thought that my upper and lower set of front teeth were becoming loose. On my last visit to the dentist I mentioned it to him. He said they didn't feel unduly 'wobbly' and that teeth are meant to move slightly, so I shouldn't worry. Still I was concerned as they often move when I chew - to the point that I have to chew more on one side - the less 'wobbly' side.
I have always worried about losing my teeth. From an early age I've had vivid dreams where they would loosen, crumble in my mouth and fall into thousands of tiny pieces on the floor. Apparently these type of dreams are associated with stress, so I'm told. When I visited the dentist a few weeks ago I mentioned again that I was concerned about them as my teeth grinding had worsened. Low and behold, my dear dentist said "Oh, this one is loose!" I wanted to say 'I told you so!' but thought better of it.
He took x-rays of the tooth in question and said that the bone was undamaged but the pocket had 'stretched' somewhat because of the tooth grinding. He said he had never seen anything like it except in text books. I must be kicking quite a punch with my grinding. Fortunately, if I wear a nightguard to protect my teeth during sleep, the pocket should shrink back to its normal size and tighten up again. So I am having one fitted next week.
I have posted a poll on this very subject (which you will find in the introductory section at the top of the blog) please take the time to complete it as it will be very interesting to see just how many of us are having to deal with tooth damage as a result of grinding, something that is very rarely mentioned in the medical books.
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Has the onset of ME/CFS lead to teeth grinding?
Monday, 22 October 2007
Teeth Grinding and ME/CFS
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4 comments:
greetings from a fellow m.e. tooth grinder!!
m.e. is a neurological illness quite distinct from cfs or post viral fatigue. the paper by dr byron hyde on the nightingale site or on the site www.ahummingbirdsguide.com-gives the info.
your quilts look beautiful - wishing you every success with your business and for you to realise all your dreams.
Ouch! Don't you hate it when you're right and you don't want to be?
I had a mouth guard fitted 6 months ago. It was an excellent investment!
I noticed I was clenching my teeth a lot when I was stressed and sometimes just when I was very very tired and trying to get through the next hour or two before I could crash. Literally gritting my teeth!
My dentist said there seemed to be some wear from the grinding. But I've (hopefully) stopped it from getting any worse with the mouth guard.
Mine is a soft one (made from some kind of plastic) but they said I can have a hard one fitted if I chew my way through this too quickly!
Mine fits on my bottom set of teeth and it's sort of bendy so it goes in and out really easily. You can just wash it with water - no special soaking or cleaning required. It acts a bit like a cushion and it also helps align my jaw a bit better when i wear it. I tend to stick my jaw in odd positions when I'm tired or stressed.
It stopped the habitual grinding in a few weeks of wearing it. I just got to the point where I felt I didn't need it. I wear it ocasionally and sometimes in bed if I've had a rough day and have tension in my jaw.
It feels a bit weird - I can't talk properly with it in and it looks like I have something in my mouth. But it's clear plastic so I'm confortable wearing it in the car and so on without feeling freaky!
I keep mine in a small tupperware box - as recommended by the man in the sports shop who had sold out of gumshield boxes. He says it's a lot cheaper too ;-)
Apologies for the long comment!!
I don't have ME but have been grinding my teeth too. I have Sjogren's which can cause lots of issues with my teeth. Just now having two crowns done :(
After that the dentist wants me to get the fitted tooth guard but like Rachel I'm trying to cheap and easy way first. I'll let you know how it goes.
I don't have any loose teeth but have pain like I keep thinking I have a cavity except it's on a bunch on teeth.
hi - could you remove my comment -re - m.e. not being same as cfs. i realise it's come across as uppity and abrasive - it wasn't meant that way. i really struggle to get any words from brain to fingers and kind of despair when it comes out not how i meant it and i'm then too brain dead to explain how i do mean things.
sorry!
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