gives stinkeye to meara's roomy and smonster's day

smonster,

so my dentist said that one's bite and jaw affect one's posture and stance and vice versa. He has patients whose jaw pain is affected by their shoes.

this shit was news to me, but because I also have been wearing different shoes in recent weeks, I'm going to try that.

I used to share an office with a Jewish guy, and every year for the Christmas door decorating contest we did a Hanukkah door. We always joked about doing a High Holidays door decorating contest, and then he would go on a rant about trivializing holy days, and I would counter with a lecture on rites of intensification. Good times.

ION, Mal and I are currently sitting by the fire in the lobby of a Residence Inn, which is about as close to a European hostel vibe as I could find in an American chain hotel.

My clenched teeth are affecting all my muscles in my face, neck, shoulders and down my back. I should really find my bite guard and start using it. Might stop the constant pain and stress. Well, the clenching teeth stress.

Shit I Didn't Say: Facebook Edition I love you. You're a great friend. Nut, yes, posting on Facebook about whether you're too into yourself? Might be a sign that you're too into yourself. Ok, now that's settled, you can tell me you hate Obama every day for a *second* four years now.

Cass,

my dentist convinced me! I should have been using my bite guard - I had one made years ago - but I thought I stopped grinding at night when I finished graduate school.

silly me.

I had one made years ago

I had one made years ago too. Totally doesn't work! ... Unless I have to actually wear the thing. Which is probably the case.

I am also pushing my tongue against my lower teeth. It's also a stress thing but I can't stop.

Okay, I am going to hunt up my guard now and put it on my pillow. I think I was worried it would feel weird and give me headaches. Frankly, I've already got them pretty constantly so I might as well give the guard a try for a while.

Edit: Damn, that is ridiculously uncomfortable. I think I am trying it for a few hours at a time. No way I can put this in and just sleep.

Cass,

he told me to get a mouthguard from Target (in the sport section). Beau has been wearing one for months because he has a similar problem. Dentist said to buy 3 - once you figure out it works - because his patients are biting through them. they tend to do less damage on the damn things if there are three that can be periodically rotated.

he said if the cheap sports ones don't work, then perhaps I can get one done. but he said that either way, buying 3 of them is less expensive than TMJ surgery!

holy fuck.

is less expensive than TMJ surgery!

Yikes.

Teeth, man...