u/Used-Willingness-481

▲ 8 r/TMJ

Sleeping position. What's the lesser of two evils?

Having a really bad flare-up that won't go away. Sometimes I feel okay in the morning, but my main issue is getting comfortable at night.

I used to flip around a lot but side sleeping ends up with the side I've laid down on hurting. I keep my shoulders off my pillow, try to keep my spine straight, keep a pillow between my legs, etc, but it still really aggravates my joint and cheek.

My real issue comes in with the fact that sleeping on my back gives me less pain in the process of winding down for the night, but then I wake up, and my mouth is wide open and I seem to be mouth breathing/snoring the whole time. I've read this can lead to more unconscious bruxism to try and overcompensate.

My pain always comes back in the evening/night no matter what I do, but maybe there's something else I can do. So my question is, which one is more forgiving? Sure, neither of them are great, but I really can't figure it out.

I'm just trying to cope while I wait for my next dentist appointment, because then I'll have no cavity left and I can actually get fitted for a proper night guard to start working on real long term solutions.

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u/Used-Willingness-481 — 3 days ago

First? Second? Molar

22F. Recently, I got told I have 5 cavities, just filled 2 on one side back left molar and left canine, and I was told that there were none left on that side.

Last place I lived, both spots I got told that the holes in my teeth were just chips which I believed because the fillings honestly didn't last long but now I've moved somewhere else and this is a totally new dentist. They're ignoring multiple holes even after I ask about them, but this is the most pressing concern of mine.

We did bitewing x-rays and I had a consultation but this spot is still bothering me. Is this seriously just a crazy chip? The dark spot between the teeth has me worried but wouldn't it show up on the x-ray if it was really anything worse? Already tried flossing it, so I don't know if it's food but I doubt it. There isn't pain, but it just feels *weird* and it's freaking me out

For context, I already know I have tooth decay due to bad choices as a teen. I'm severely depressed and I was bulimic in the past so I need to do a better job at brushing because my enamel is pretty bad. I also have bruxism so if my teeth look pretty flat that's why. I drink and smoke weed infrequently, it's only socially and barely once a month

u/Used-Willingness-481 — 2 months ago