Ask Dr. LJ, Dental Edition

[mizarchivist]

So, because it's a hassle, I didn't look into this thing I'm about to explain until now, a week before my dentist appointment

Comments

[hammercock]

Yeah, it's worth trying one of the OTC guards first, just to see how it feels.

I've had the expensive, custom-made kinds for like 2 decades now. They do help, but they are frakking expensive and never covered by insurance, not even a little bit.

[mizarchivist]

I did the OTC ones and they made things worse. Either they kept me up because they didn't fit right and the drool was epic, or were too gummy and my subconscious brain saw it as a threat and I bit down harder. I'd wake up with headaches rather than just some jaw pain. So, yeah. I'll very likely have to go the custom made for me route.

[mizarchivist]

Not Pleasant St. Not pleasant at all, I bet. I've had my share of shite dentists, and I won't tolerate another.
I had that kind of mouth guard for a while and my subconscious brain treated it like a foreign invader and I'd wake up with raging headaches from gnawing on it all night. This is why I'm not convinced that a bite guard would be good if that's what I'm doing with the "good" kind. I'm willing to hear their arguments, but that' s a lot of money to dole out if it doesn't. :/

[asciikitty]

I'm about to say something insane, but maybe chiro or acupuncture for the jaw clenching?

Yes I know. Also, I will hit this doll with a therapeutic hammer for you.

[mizarchivist]

chiro or acupuncture - not a bad idea. Definitely a step up from doll-hammering.

Thanks

[mizarchivist]

I've been contemplating on the dental school path, and I just don't think I can manage 3 hour stints, you know? That's a lot of sick time out the door. I've been looking into arora's suggestion, but that office has yet to answer its phone. Somehow in reviewing things, the Fenway bit fell off the screen for me. Will look into that again.