OK, now this is weird and embarrassing but what the heck!

dieselgal · Post by **dieselgal** » Thu Apr 10, 2008 11:32 am

I have a problem that I am having trouble getting around and oddly it ends up affecting my sleep.
Many years ago when I had a jaw tooth removed. I never got a partial or bridge for that because it honestly never bothered me and we were broke (that's why it got pulled in the first place, it was much cheaper to pull).
Well now for the issue.
It seems that over the last many months since I started CPAP, I wake up during the night in pain. Then I realize my mouth is hurting because somehow my tongue has found its way to that vacant spot and is actually pushing against space. I must be really putting pressure because it HURTS my tongue enough to wake me up!
I don't do this intentionally and I don't remember having the problem prior to CPAP. What I thinking is that in making sure my mouth stays shut and I don't mouth leak that my concentration travels to the tongue. I am a very tense person anyway and this just seems to intensify during my sleep.
I also tend to clench my teeth which sometimes causes tooth pain.
I have tried boil and bite mouth guards to try to relieve both issues but the rubbery material also irritates the lining of my mouth over several hours.
Dental insurance won't cover a bridge now because the tooth was pulled long ago.
Any workable suggestions?

Julie · Post by **Julie** » Thu Apr 10, 2008 11:47 am

You need to see a dentist because you could have a problem called 'dry socket', which can occur after pulling lower molars and cause lots of pain (whether or not it starts happening when you're awake). You also need to address the bruxism (clenching) that's happening, so do make an appointment - things don't get better leaving them go.

6PtStar · Post by **6PtStar** » Thu Apr 10, 2008 11:48 am

Won't help putting your tongue into the hole but I know quite a few people that have gotten a bite guard which is a very small plastic guard that fits over just the front teeth to keep the teath from touching and grinding their teeth while they sleep. Dentest made them and they are so small they don't bother people when they sleep.

Jerry

Slinky · Post by **Slinky** » Thu Apr 10, 2008 11:54 am

Its not a dry socket. Dry sockets only occur when the tooth is first pulled. For some reason some of us lose that blood clot needed to protect the nerve from being exposed to air. Once the "socket" heals over all risk of "dry socket" is gone.

I've had two of the little darlings and they are EXCRUCIATING! And so easily relieved: a small wad of gauze w/a pain killer on it packed into the socket to replace the blood clot that was lost.

pjwalman · Post by **pjwalman** » Thu Apr 10, 2008 12:03 pm

I don't know if this is too expensive a solution for you, but I had a tooth pulled last year and couldn't afford the money for the bridge, and I ended up getting what they called a "flipper" ('cause you can "flip" it out of your mouth with your tongue, I guess). It's like a kid's retainer. They do an impression of your mouth and send it to a denturist, and he manufactures a "faux" tooth to fill in that space. It cost $400, which is still expensive, of course, but nothing like the couple thousand for the bridge. And it's nice cosmetically, too, if you can see the space when you smile. I can't stand eating with mine (and you talk kind of with a lisp, which made me self-concious), so I only wear mine at night so the other teeth won't start moving and taking over the space. But most people are not weird like me and do wear them out in public. Anyway, it's something to maybe consider since you wouldn't have a space to stick your tongue into.

Good luck, and take care!

Peggy

dieselgal · Post by **dieselgal** » Thu Apr 10, 2008 12:41 pm

Well the flipper is a possibility if I can find a dentist here that would do that for me. You cannot see this spot even when I smile since it is one of the far back jaw teeth on the bottom. I don't necessarily need it for eating either since I have done fine with it for 20 years. I just need something to keep my tongue from seeking out the empty spot.
It definitely isn't a dry socket but I am not sure I was clear. The pain is in the tip of my tongue where I for some reason press the tongue into that space. Many years ago I wore something a dentist made me because of the teeth clenching and then somewhere in twenty years, three kids and a dozen pets I lost that. I haven't been aware of the problem for years until I started CPAP and I really think it is because I subconsciously want to make sure my mouth stays shut.
I think I am going to contact my dentist and see if we can figure something out.

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tangents · Post by **tangents** » Thu Apr 10, 2008 12:58 pm

Hi, Diesel! Your topic lured me in, I must confess!!

I'm sorry your mouth is bothering you. I have had excellent luck with this mouthguard:

http://www.mydentalhygiene.com/Mouthguard.htm

If your mouth is "regular adult sized" (mine is youth sized - not that I don't have a big mouth ), I can send you one for free. They send both sizes every time you order, so I have a few unused adult ones. PM me your address and I'll send it to you.

Good luck,
Cathy

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Apr 10, 2008 1:07 pm

Chewing gum... Toffee... maybe?

Tarma · Post by **Tarma** » Thu Apr 10, 2008 2:36 pm

You could try one of those athletic mouth guards you find at most stores that you mold to your own teeth to block the hole.

gasp · Post by **gasp** » Thu Apr 10, 2008 4:04 pm

I have no idea if your dental insurance covers this, but it seems to me that if a dentist were able to make a case for the lack of a tooth is endangering the health of adjacent teeth, you could get coverage for a tooth. Also, check for dental schools that are close enough to get to as they do inexpensive work under supervision.

dieselgal · Post by **dieselgal** » Thu Apr 10, 2008 5:46 pm

I made an appt with my dentist for the 23rd so hopefully he can help me figure this out. I have very good insurance but they don't want to pay for the pre existing problem! I understand but that doesn't help much. I am hoping maybe he can make me something to wear at night for the clenching that might also work to cover that empty spot!
Thanks for all the responses.

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