Clenching my jaw and worried about it - what would you suggest i do?

13 Comments

I've started a work trial at a dentist's surgery as a trainee nurse/receptionist.
I've had a crown filled and will need some cleaning.

I mentioned to the dentist that I clench my jaw a lot and it occasionally clicks (though I can hear it in my head more than anything else). It's not that severe, but it still worries me a little.
He's suggested a gum shield, but mentioned that they can become addictive to grind/bite against.

I often suck my thumb at night to help me sleep and/or sometimes use a soother. Both feel good and I've noticed that I don't clamp my jaw so much when I have something in my mouth; but there's no way I'm using either in public if I can possibly avoid it!! Not to mention the huge potential for cross-infection if I did use my thumb in the surgery. I guess I could go to the toilet and use a thumb/soother there?

What I'd really, really like is one of those gum shields with a nipple in it [I can't find the link now ><].
However, I don't know how easy that is to get in the UK, and I don't want my potential boss taking the piss out of me for being babyish.... what would you suggest?

Gum shield 4
Thumb 1
Soother 4
A combination of the above three (please state what) 1
Something else (please state what) 2
Something else plus one or more of the first three (please state what) 0
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Comments ( 13 )
  • Terence_the_viking
    11 years ago

    Clench your butt instead?

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  • PurplePanda
    8 years ago

    My sister used to do that all the time...she got over it and i'm sure you will too

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  • Anonymous Post Author
    11 years ago

    Also, the gum shield with a nipple I was thinking of is called a Glot-Up (The website's in Spanish, but hopefully you get the idea)http://www.glot-up.com/

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  • BlueJeansWhiteShirt
    11 years ago

    I jaw clench a lot, especially in my sleep and at times I feel anxious. Sometimes I just do it because I'm addicted to the sound my teeth make.
    Anyway, I don't use anything but self control to stop doing it. It seems to be working the majority of the time.

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  • dirtybirdy
    11 years ago

    Alrighty then. Well I just clench it really hard when I'm mad or thinking about stuff that pisses or has just pissed me off or trying not to smash things. Gr.

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  • [Old Memory]
    11 years ago

    Have you tried chewing gum (sugar-free) to satisfy the oral fixation?

    When I find myself clenching my jaw too much, in situations when I'm anxious, I slip the tip of my tongue between my front lower/upper teeth and hold it there until my jaw relaxes.

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  • Shackleford96
    11 years ago

    A rubber band on your wrist perhaps?

    Catch yourself clenching your teeth, then discipline yourself by popping the band.

    Just a suggestion.

    My other suggestion would be to chew gum on a regular basis.

    My other suggestion again would be to train yourself to stop sucking your thumb, because that's just childish. Literally, not offensively.

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    • Anonymous Post Author
      11 years ago

      I've tried the rubber band tip a few times.

      Whether it 'works', it's too early for me to say, but it doesn't seem too bad a distraction/replacement method.

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      • Shackleford96
        11 years ago

        Hmm, well I'm glad to have helped.

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    • Anonymous Post Author
      11 years ago

      I've never tried the rubber band trick, actually... I can't imagine the surgery would have a problem with that, so I'll give it a go.

      As for gum, that'd have to be for off-duty.

      Thanks for the tips!

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      • Shackleford96
        11 years ago

        You're welcome :)

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  • Bmitch32
    11 years ago

    Lay off the drugs..

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    • Anonymous Post Author
      11 years ago

      ... I don't do anything heavier than alcohol, though....

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