Bruxism & TMJ

After trying several times to bond my chipped front tooth, my dentist recommended seeing an orthodontist to consider braces. Braces! (I'm 44) I say! HMMMM. Dentist explained they would re-align my bite so that when I grind my teeth, I'll not just pick on the one tooth in the front.

O.K. - So I go to my son's orthodontist, whom I trust. My appointment was this morning. After he examined me, he explained that my problem is Bruxism, and that he has seen several studies that indicate that the paxil that I am taking (only on about 3 mg now) is causing this. Not only that, but has caused minor TMJ. His formal recommendation "Get off the paxil", then try to rebond the tooth. He says that he can re-align the bite later with braces, once I have recovered from paxil. He also seemed to know about "withdrawal" oops, did I say that?

A note here: I did not ever grind my teeth before taking paxil. I have been on it 8 years. -- I consider this to be one of the MINOR side effects of taking paxil. (notice that I no longer capitalize this drug's name).

There is hope that there are medical and dental professionals who have a clue.

[Scott]

no longer capitalize its name i'll go one better, i'll spell it backwards!

lixap

[safarigal]

I now wear a nightguard to stop myself from grinding my teeth all night.

I also have a problem with grinding my teeth in the day.

And I've been off Paxil over a year.

[darcyb]

Paxil made me grind my teeth like crazy, make my neck stiff and sore and all that. Tension by any stress, including the presence of Paxil or its removal, can create the symptoms you've noticed shaken not stirred.