Poke. Poke. Pokepokepokepokepoke.

[geoviki]

OMG, I feel like this.

I just got this retainer-splint thingie that covers my bottom teeth because I have TMJ (which is not at all the same as TMI, my dears). And my tongue is going batshitcrazy trying to investigate this New!Invasive!Stranger! in my mouth. I have to wear this damned thing for 3 months, after which I get another one to wear for three more months, and I hatez it already, aaaauuuggghhh!

On the plus side, I made a bunch of new icons. Here's one.

Comments

[rickey-a.livejournal.com]

aww cone of shame :(
I hope your TMJ clears up :(

[venivincere]

I've been wearing something similar for a little over a year, now, at night, but it's for grinding and snoring. Of the two, it was far worse than getting used to bifocals. Oh my lost youth.

[karen-jk.livejournal.com]

I hope it helps the TMJ, hon.

hugshugs

[bryoneybrynn.livejournal.com]

Yes! I had that when I had a root canal and had the rough temporary crown and then later, when they replaced it with the real one. My tongue could not stop poking it.

BUT at least the suffering is for something. Both my sisters have mouthguards due to TMJ and it's helped them tremendously. :)

[kokopoko.livejournal.com]

I've got TMJ. I can pop my left jaw joint all the time. Chewing gum is torture!

[ravurian]

What is TMJ?

[meredyth-13.livejournal.com]

Isn't it just so weird getting used to something new or a change in your mouth? *hugs you madly*

C and I both have permanent guards we have to wear at night for grinding / clenching leading to TMJ. It's becoming endemic in western society, I think - my mum has one, and so does the 23 year old who used to live with us. I still clench so badly that I've managed to crack my splint in about three different places, but I guess it's better than cracking a tooth or losing the stability in my jaw.

If it's any consolation, you do get used to them. Don't be reluctant to go straight back to your dentist or technician if it isn't sitting well or you find parts of it causing you problems. It took me months to get mine really well fitted because it kept cutting or irritating the underside of my tongue and my cheeks (and I may have attacked parts of it with a nail file >.>), but it's worth it.

[mad-martha.livejournal.com]

I've been wearing one of those things at night for over ten years, and the first time I had it I too had to wear it constantly for three months. I felt like a boxer wearing a gum-shield. I still do at night!

Having said that ... the TMJ (or "bruxism" as they called it back then) is a million times worse. It's pretty horrifying to wake up and feel like you've either dislocated your jaw or someone has rammed a red hot poker through the side of it.

It really is worth persevering - I hope you get used to it soon.

*hugs*

[sassy-cissa.livejournal.com]

I work for an orthodontist who TMJ patients. I hope that alleviates some of your issues.