Just over a week ago I started having a random earache. I didn't think twice about it and thought maybe it was something with my jaw - like where your jaw pops and it hurts for a bit? So, I just went on my normal day-to-day business. Well, after a few days it wasn't getting any better, in fact, it was getting worse! Not only was my ear hurting, but my jaw was as well. Inside my ear was aching and I kept noticing that it hurt the backside of me teeth when I bit down (insert Steve's old wise tale - well, then don't bite down and it won't hurt!! hahaha).
So, I called an made an appointment for this last Monday.. well, as soon as I made the appointment, it got worse!! I almost was going to go into a Primary Health Clinic and get my ear checked out but decided I was ok and could get through the pain. Monday came and I went to teach then went straight to the doctor. As soon as I told him about my earache and jaw pain he asks,
"Are you stressed?"
Uhhhh, yeah.
"Why are you so stressed?"
Well doc, let me count the ways for you.... (Do I really need to for you? Cause it could take awhile...)
He went on to tell me that I may be clenching my jaw and grinding my teeth at night because of the stress. He checked me out and looked in my ear, nothing. Looked in my mouth to see if he could see anything, nothing. So he put me on a simple antibiotic and said if it didn't clear up in a few days that I should get a cheap ole mouth guard, boil it up to mold to my teeth, and try wearing that at night for a few days and see if that helps the pain. He offered me some painkillers for my pain, but I didn't want to mask anything and wanted to see if anything got better.. so I said no.
Well, a few days have passed and there is still pain. And since I work at a sport store, I got a sweet pink cheapy mouth guard and boiled it on up and molded my teeth. It was actually a grand time, my roommate, Kenz, had a hoot as I was trying to talk while I was molding the mouth guard to my teeth.. :)
I tested the thing out last night and it was definitely harder than I thought! At one point during the night I woke up and realized it was out of my mouth.. I searched around a bit in the dark, half asleep, to find it right next to my pillow.. picked it up and plopped it back in my mouth! I woke up a few times and had to readjust... but otherwise, it wasn't too bad of an experience! My teeth hurt a bit and I was still in some pain but I figured it was from trying to keep the mouth guard in my mouth and the tight fit of it so hopefully after a few more nights there will be no more pain!
So, I called an made an appointment for this last Monday.. well, as soon as I made the appointment, it got worse!! I almost was going to go into a Primary Health Clinic and get my ear checked out but decided I was ok and could get through the pain. Monday came and I went to teach then went straight to the doctor. As soon as I told him about my earache and jaw pain he asks,
"Are you stressed?"
Uhhhh, yeah.
"Why are you so stressed?"
Well doc, let me count the ways for you.... (Do I really need to for you? Cause it could take awhile...)
He went on to tell me that I may be clenching my jaw and grinding my teeth at night because of the stress. He checked me out and looked in my ear, nothing. Looked in my mouth to see if he could see anything, nothing. So he put me on a simple antibiotic and said if it didn't clear up in a few days that I should get a cheap ole mouth guard, boil it up to mold to my teeth, and try wearing that at night for a few days and see if that helps the pain. He offered me some painkillers for my pain, but I didn't want to mask anything and wanted to see if anything got better.. so I said no.
Well, a few days have passed and there is still pain. And since I work at a sport store, I got a sweet pink cheapy mouth guard and boiled it on up and molded my teeth. It was actually a grand time, my roommate, Kenz, had a hoot as I was trying to talk while I was molding the mouth guard to my teeth.. :)
I tested the thing out last night and it was definitely harder than I thought! At one point during the night I woke up and realized it was out of my mouth.. I searched around a bit in the dark, half asleep, to find it right next to my pillow.. picked it up and plopped it back in my mouth! I woke up a few times and had to readjust... but otherwise, it wasn't too bad of an experience! My teeth hurt a bit and I was still in some pain but I figured it was from trying to keep the mouth guard in my mouth and the tight fit of it so hopefully after a few more nights there will be no more pain!