Metal Mouth Message Board

I need some suggestions. Here is my situation. I am having to wear headgear at night for 10 hours. I am getting such a stiff neck at night that I end up with pain and sometime during the night I find myself taking off my headgear in my sleep because when I wake up its on the night stand. I don't remember taking it off but when I wake up my teeth are aching and my neck is killing me. My husband bought me an open space pillow but it is not helping. Suggestions please!

I find it hard to believe that 14 people have viewed my question and have not posted a reply.

I didn't want to be just another "reader" but I can't answer your question either. I'm not having to deal with headgear. Just wanted to wish you luck finding a solution.

Actually, I wonder if this might help. To assist me in stopping to suck my finger at night, my grandmother bought me a long-sleeved t-shirt with extra long arms. She then sewed the cuffs shut from the inside - which prevented me from having access to my finger in my sleep. Since that's the only time I did it, it helped tremendously. I wonder if you could still wiggle out of headgear without access to your hands?

Anyhow - good luck finding a solution that works for you!

Hi. I can't give you advice either other than to suggest you post this in the section where people have gradutated to retainers. Some of them might be able to help as some of them probably had to wear headgear. Good luck.

I am sorry that I cannot help you, although you have received a couple of good tips.

THANK YOU ALL FOR POSTING REPLIES.
Unfortunatly I did it again last night and again this morning I'm in pain. I will try all the suggestions provided. I have an ortho appt next week and I will have to mention it to him.
Again, thank you all for your suggestions. I will try them and let you know how they worked out. Meryaten you are probably right that I would probably find the gloves neatly folded on the night stand..... ha haa haa I will still try all suggestion provided because I am determined to make these 10 hours of headgear without removing it and dying of neckpain. This neck pain has got to go, its starting to affect my work performance.

My son and daughter had headgear. My son never had any trouble sleeping with it on but my daugher was always taking it off at night, like you, and she also put it on her nightstand (great minds think alike I guess).

She still has to wear headgear with her retainers and she still takes it off sometimes.

No help here, but at least you know you're not alone!! .

Thanks jennielee81 about telling me about your daughter. At least now I know I'm not the only one that does it. I feel a little embarrassed considering I'm in my early 30's and I'm having difficulties sleeping with this headgear. It's not so much the headgear its the excruciating pain in my neck that I can't tolerate. Does your daughter have to keep her braces on any longer than expected due to not wearing the headgear as directed?

You may want to consult a chiropractor too. Or mention it your Ortho, and see what they say. A chiropractor once told me that being in the ortho chair a lot and the "strain" of braces can put pressure on your neck. Although I i think chiropractors work, They also make there money by making you come back so....take that for what it is worth.

H Rogers wrote:Thanks jennielee81 about telling me about your daughter. At least now I know I'm not the only one that does it. I feel a little embarrassed considering I'm in my early 30's and I'm having difficulties sleeping with this headgear. It's not so much the headgear its the excruciating pain in my neck that I can't tolerate. Does your daughter have to keep her braces on any longer than expected due to not wearing the headgear as directed?

Good question! She didn't have to keep the braces on BUT she's wearing headgear with her retainers!!!!!

I think the idea of chiropractic is a good one...

Gosh, I wish you great success and luck. I can't imagine wearing headgear as an adult. That was one reason I didn't get braces until I was 42. I just assumed I'd need it and I just wasn't interrested. Turns out I didn't need it, so I am sleeping easy now.

Let us know how things go! We're thinking about you!!