TMJ Mouth Guard and Gum Infection

While my mouth guard had been my best friend for the last few months - I am getting angry due to the fact that while I need to wear my mouth guard every night to cut down on my headaches, ear pain, facial pain and swelling with in my face and neck... I am now having to deal with gum irritation from wearing the mouth guard my dentist specially made for me to wear at night.

Grrrrrrr - what to do? - I hate finally winning to only loose again.
I cannot (will not) go back to the PAIN -

Have any other TMJ sufferers ever had to deal with sore gum irritation or gum infection due to the mouth guard covering your teeth at night?

(((((((((( Rhap )))))))))

I've never had a mouth guard, but maybe your dentist just needs to tweak the guard a bit to make it comfortable. Surely he can pad it, bend it or something.

I hope you feel better very soon.

Its premade so there is no bending or padding it - but he might be able to cut it down a little bit more so it does not rub on that side of my gums... I will call and see what they say... my dentist has already trimmed it three times for me so I am hoping that a fourth is possible.

If your dentist hand made it for you and you had to pay for it, isn't he obligated to make another one for you that actually fits? I know it's that way with leg and body braces.

This one is a few years old.... and he (my dentist) has been a saint in trying to make sure it works for me -

Oh, I see. I do so hope he can cut it down again to make it more comfortable.

If your dentist can trim the guard 3 times, he can do it again. Make an appt. He doesn't want you to be uncomfortable in something he made. Don't let your suffering continue! billieJ

The swelling has gone done and now I can tell that it is not the mouth guard it self that is causing the problem, as the mouth guard is not actually touching my gums when all is well in my mouth.
I think the problem may be that the guard is covering my teeth all the time, therefore, keeping fresh air from getting to my already health deprived teeth due to my RA and Meds (not for sure about this theory, but never the less I will talk to my dentist and rheumy about it).

BTW - as stated by me in another TMJ thread my pain level has gone from a 10 down to a 3 since I have been wearing my mouth guard every night while sleeping and while napping during the day.... w00t w00t

I have TMJ and have a mouth guard but haven't worn it for several months because it was making my mouth too dry at night and aggravating my sinus's. I think it could be the dryness in your mouth because the saliva keeps your gums healthy. Make sure you're flossing and using a mouth wash before bed. One thing that helped me alot was focusing on keeping my jaw relaxed during the day. You know when we tense up many of us clench our jaw muscles without realizing it. Ice also helps and so do those hotbags that are heated in the microwave. I also have this little acupuncture like device similar to a pen on the end(battery operated) and I do this on my jaw muscles - it helps alot- it's called an Accuhealth machine.

That is a good ideal.... and the guard could be keeping the saliva from getting to my gums when I sleep.
Thx for the input.

And Yes, I floss and gargle every night before I put the guard on.

I'm glad you have hopefully figured out the problem. Take good care, Rhap.

Just a suggestion, I find Listerine, I hope i'm allowed to say it...but it helps, even soak the guard in it. Mouth wash, if you don't like the strong one, go to a mint flavor. It helps to kill anything that could be inflaming it.