I've been thinking about bruxism/TMJ lately and how T is linked... So excuse me for a bit longer post.
The thing is, my right ear T is becoming more somatic and moving my jaw makes it peak in volume. As I already posted here, I've had bruxism for ~10 years. Now I'm trying heal from it, hence the physiotherapy I had earlier this year. As said, physio seemed to help, but when I stopped about the daily exercises (too busy, too much stress - a recipe for disaster, eh
), my symptoms got worse again. It got to the point where I had this burning jaw joint pain, ouch! So I am again doing jaw relaxation, stretching etc. daily. I think the exercises are helping, as the pain is subsiding. I can share the moves here if someone is interested? In addition, perhaps by repeating them will eventually make my right ear T milder & less somatic.
I got a new (expensive
) custom-made night guard, thinking it might help. But it's not doing any wonders, somehow these guards do not reduce my clenching at all... I am the type of 'bruxer' that bites down hard. I don't do chewing motions, just wake up at night with my jaw closed tight by incredible force. Maybe night guards help better if one is prone to chewing motions instead? Or is this common with you guys as well, that night guard doesn't ease clenching, just protects the teeth? And if your guard relaxes your jaw and takes away grinding, what type of night guard is it?
Furthermore,
one simple trick has really helped. For me the most comfortable sleeping position is this kind of "loose fetal position" on my left side. However, sleeping on either side seems to trigger clenching as soon as I lie down. When I lie on my back, my jaw relaxes way better. So I've been trying to learn sleeping on my back now. When it's been succesful, I have more relaxed jaw in the morning. It's difficult, though - I've always slept on my side, so it's A) harder to fall asleep and B) I can't control my position while asleep. Just gotta keep trying, I guess and warmly recommend you fellow night-time clenchers to try it. There is a benefit to it, since my T is bilateral and masking sounds now reach both ears. Anyone else had success by changing sleeping positions or such?
Clenching is a problem with many consequences and should not be ignored. For me it has took a long time to realize I can actually try control it. Before I would just blindly trust the night guard and got used to the constant dull pain and tense muscles. Would really love to have a solution to it and was pleased to find out about botox being very powerful in stopping bruxism, sometimes for good. But then worrying research surfaced. Apparently botox injections to the jaw muscles
come with a high price: weakened jaw bone (less density) and that effect might be permanent, possibly leading to loose teeth etc. Quite scary! So there went the only back-up plan. Perhaps we can by discussing here share other safe treatment methods.
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