I
iDent
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jun 1, 2012
- Messages
- 150
- Location
- United States
I'm chiming in on the TMJ issue. I have had bruxism since I was a child.....one of the few times I went to the dentist as a child....they noticed the wear on my teeth.
Believe it or not, I first knew about my TMJ when I was taking singing lessons (I'm a semi-pro musician). My teacher, who ALSO had TMJ, brought it to my attention when she noticed how I was opening my mouth to sing. My current dentist says I have TMJ....but so far has not addressed the issue.
There are times when I can't open my mouth wide enough to take bites out of a flattened sandwich, so I resort to cutting it up into minute pieces that I can handle.
Yes, a nightguard is in your future since you have bruxism. It's a clunky piece of plastic specially fitted to your bottom teeth. It takes a bit getting used to it, but helps save your teeth at night. I also grind during the day, so my dentist is trying to come up with ways to help me through that issue, since you can't wear the guard during the day.
Wishing you all the best!!!!
My non-phobic husband was diagnosed with nocturnal bruxism a few years ago and wears a night mouthgard, so unlike a lot of people, I wasn't offended when Dr. Yes told me at my first appointment that my teeth showed evidence of the same thing. . .although wearing night mouthgards isn't exactly the kind of marital togetherness I usually have in mind! Because we share our home with companion rabbits (who must eat hay and gnaw other chewables to keep their ever-growing teeth trimmed), I like to think that when we're asleep, we're just imitating our rabbits by grinding our teeth down!
So far, I don't grind during the day but occasionally clench. When I catch myself clenching, I stop. . .but do I always catch myself? That is the question.
I hope your dentist or another healthcare professional addresses your TMJ, especially since it may come to interfere with your vocal training and performing. One of my aunts has TMJ and at least used to take regular Botox injections to treat it. . .yikes! I think I'd only submit to Botox as a last resort.
Thanks for reading and commenting!