Occlusal Splint

Oh parents!  You have the most wonderful children ever.  Let me tell you why...

For the past four months I have been dealing with major mouth pain.  I've been to four dentist since mid-October:

•  A friend in MI for a consult back in October...she told me I clench my teeth and told me I should get a night guard from my dentist in CO.
• One in CO...didn't have a dentist, read a sign on the street and went...he didn't know why I had the pain and gave me a root canal.  Not fun, later found out it was not needed.
• Went to a great endodontist who thought the root canal was done properly (but not needed) and suspected I had a bite problem...look back to the first dentist I went to...
• Went to a GREAT dentist who could tell instantly that I am a severe clencher and have completely shot the nerves/muscles in my upper left jaw.

So now that you know my dental history, I'm on the road to recovery.  But it won't be overnight.  I have to wear an Occlusal Splint 24/7 until my bite is adjusted, then I will just have to wear it at night.  I just got this lovely splint yesterday, so I'm still pretty self-conscious of how I look and how I talk.  If I want to get better, I have to do what the dentist says, and he says I have to wear this thing 24/7, except to eat.

Anyway, I started the day (Thursday) not wearing it because I am so self conscious.  I did tell the kids that during the times I'm not talking and they are working or in specials they might see me wearing a weird thing in my mouth.  I made the mistake of telling them I'm supposed to wear it all day but that I couldn't talk well with it yet.  They ALL encouraged me to wear it and ALL were just so lovely and so kind toward me today.  They have been very sensitive and have said many sweet words to me today.  So I want you all to know that you have raised wonderful children with kind hearts and thoughtful words.  Thank you for doing so!