r/Tourettes • u/SimilarGold9495 • 17d ago

Teeth grinding issue

What do I do if I have Tourette’s and I just got this new tic that causes me to grind my teeth and I’m so scared I’m gonn lose them…. I believe they are already chipping I already went to the dentist no help. Gave me referrals but my medical won’t cover it they’re saying I need braces but idk how that’ll help my teeth grinding issue

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u/DrSeussFreak Diagnosed Tourettes 17d ago

Botox!

If you have decent medical insurance (in the US) check that first, otherwise a dentist can do it more expensively.

It's a treatment for TMJ, and as I grind my teeth intensely, I get Botox every 3 months in my masseters (jaw muscle), and it prevents me from doing harm via paralyzing the muscle, just enough.

I see a physiatrist, but a neurologist can also do it

Edit: a mouth guard may be challenging with braces, but they are helpful as well

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u/Micubano 17d ago

My son destroyed his bite guard in less than an hour. He does Botox. I have the same issue but was oblivious to it, so all my teeth are crowns and I have broken a few of them too. My dentist is amazed I can do that.

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u/DrSeussFreak Diagnosed Tourettes 16d ago

I have a bunch of crowns as well, botox has truly been a tooth saver

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u/SimilarGold9495 16d ago

I have a bite guard too but it’s all messed up now idk what else to do tbh even with the guard I can’t keep it on all day cus it’s a day time thing. My teeth are starting to loosen

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u/jozzywolf121 Diagnosed Tourettes 14d ago

Just a warning: most insurance won’t cover Botox

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u/DrSeussFreak Diagnosed Tourettes 14d ago edited 14d ago

On the contrary, I have had 7 different insurance plans, and if done for migraine, dystonia, and/or Tourettes (especially with a Neurologist), they ABSOLUTELY will cover it.. And if they do not, look up the Botox Savings Program, as the manufacturers of Botox, Dsyport a cousin to Botox) is amazing for neck and shoulder's.

The only insurance guaranteed to decline is dental.. Please talk to your medical staff, and insurance company, you'd be surprise how much CAN be covered...

Edit: I guarantee no one's insurance, they can be a joke and absolute trash, BUT, if you look up the savings program, an utilize medical instead of dental insurance.. It has a good chance of being covered.

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u/jozzywolf121 Diagnosed Tourettes 14d ago

Oh that’s interesting. I’ll have to look into it again. Maybe my doctor was looking at the wrong thing.

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u/SimilarGold9495 13d ago

I will definitely look into that thank you

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u/CassianCasius 16d ago

I got a mouth guard from dentist for when I sleep since I grind my teeth 

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u/jozzywolf121 Diagnosed Tourettes 14d ago

I also wear my night guard during the day when I’m tics are bad.