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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by TrishP on May 11, 2007, at 6:38:52
What can I take to help relax my jaw at night so I don't grind my teeth? Would Klonopin help? I don't think Xanax is strong enough.
I need to call my pdoc today and ask for something to help with this! I have already ruined several teeth (crowns) and now I have to have a tooth pulled due to a crack and replace with an expensive implant!
Posted by scratchpad on May 11, 2007, at 7:16:45
In reply to Grinding teeth / Jaw..., posted by TrishP on May 11, 2007, at 6:38:52
I was fitted with a night guard that fits over my front top teeth (like a Bugs Bunny effect). It prevents my back teeth from engaging and breaking against each other.
I found that it was much, much worse while I was on Effexor. I would start snapping my jaw like some great warm blooded alligator before I was even asleep - it would wake me up!Scratchpad
Posted by Phillipa on May 11, 2007, at 10:46:16
In reply to Re: Grinding teeth / Jaw... » TrishP, posted by scratchpad on May 11, 2007, at 7:16:45
I don't get it it seems like the ad's do more damage than good? Did the effexor eventually work for you? As that neighbor is singing acholades about how wonderful effexor is? And how do you just stop 4mg of xanax when you start it. what about withdrawal? Love Phillipa
Posted by linkadge on May 11, 2007, at 13:13:36
In reply to Re: Grinding teeth / Jaw... » scratchpad, posted by Phillipa on May 11, 2007, at 10:46:16
What meds are you on? AP's and often SSRI's can increase grinding/jaw clenching.
Linkadge
Posted by stargazer on May 11, 2007, at 14:12:47
In reply to Re: Grinding teeth / Jaw..., posted by linkadge on May 11, 2007, at 13:13:36
I had it on Effexor, as I went up to 300mg, then down to 37.5 and still had it, go figure. It was definately the Effexor though that caused it since I never had it again on any other med.
Try backing off of the offending med if you're on more than one and know when it started, it usually does after a med change or dosage increase.
Stargazer
Posted by Sebastian on May 11, 2007, at 16:13:13
In reply to Grinding teeth / Jaw..., posted by TrishP on May 11, 2007, at 6:38:52
Tooth guard for $20-$30 at target.
Posted by Cairo on May 11, 2007, at 20:50:24
In reply to Re: Grinding teeth / Jaw..., posted by Sebastian on May 11, 2007, at 16:13:13
All SSRIs cause teeth grinding in me. If it's just at night, then a night guard (splint) would help, but if it's also during the day/during stress, then to protect your TM joint from prematurely wearing and arthritis, you might need to wear one during the day. I had a special one made that I wear even to eat, when stress is bad and I continually clench. When things are less stressful, I wear it at night always, but not during the day; I've learned to keep my teeth slight apart to prevent clenching. If you're older and the grinding has been going on for awhile, only an MRI can tell if there's joint wear and tear.
I'd start with your regular dentist, then go to one who specializes in TMJ if needed later. Don't let them sell you on the kind of bite guard that they need to adjust weekly - a money maker, but it doesn't get at the root cause of the clenching.
Good luck!
Cairo
This is the end of the thread.
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