Sign in to wowOwow

Enter the username or e-mail address that you used when registering at wowOwow.
The password field is case sensitive. Click here if you have forgotten your password.

Please register for wowOwow

By registering, you indicate that you have read and agree
with our privacy policy and terms of service.

Question of the Day | 05/29/2009 12:00 am

We learned that night-guard sales are on the rise, as teeth grinding is becoming more common. Where do you carry your stress?

Whoopi Goldberg, Marlo Thomas, Liz Smith, Candice Bergen, Jane Wagner, Joan Ganz Cooney and Joan Juliet Buck tell us how stress affects them. Weigh in with your own sore spots … 
© Shutterstock
Whoopi Goldberg

Whoopi Goldberg | 05/29/2009 12:00 am

Whoopi Goldberg on Stress ... and Her Backside

In my butt. It refuses to do what it’s supposed to, so you get a buildup.
Candice Bergen

Candice Bergen | 05/29/2009 12:00 am

Candice Bergen Carries Stress in Her Jaw, Neck

Well, kids, I have been wearing a night guard for 35 years. If I didn’t, I’d have to gum my food. So I carry my stress in my jaw as well as in my neck.
Liz Smith

Liz Smith | 05/29/2009 12:00 am

Liz Smith Talks About Her Stress

I carry my stress in my shoulders like most people, or at least that’s what the massage therapists always make me feel I am doing. I guess I also carry a lot of it in my mind, as these days I have a hard time going to sleep, staying asleep and ceasing to list and recount my sins, my errors and my worries when the lights go out. I expect this is more prevalent, more epidemic than the swine flu. Two aspirin help at bedtime. I don’t like sleeping pills. 
Marlo Thomas

Marlo Thomas | 05/29/2009 12:00 am

Marlo Thomas's Pepsin Relief

I carry it in my stomach. When I’m under stress I barely eat. And if you ever need a Pepsin — no problem — I’ve got a bottle in my bag.
Joan Juliet Buck

Joan Juliet Buck | 05/29/2009 12:00 am

Where Else Would Joan Juliet Buck Carry Stress?

In my night guard, where else?
Joan Ganz Cooney

Joan Ganz Cooney | 05/29/2009 12:00 am

Joan Ganz Cooney Feels It All Over

I carry stress in my stomach, neck and shoulders and head (as in tension headaches).
Jane Wagner

Jane Wagner | 05/29/2009 9:30 am

Jane Wagner on Why Jaw Tension Is the Worst

I have tension in my jaws and some in my shoulders. You can release tension in your shoulders through massage and exercise but it seems harder to release tension around your jaws.
Read more about: Health, Neck, Nightguard, pain, Stress, Teeth, tension

63 Reader Comments (so far…) Sign In or Register to comment

JudyK
When I’m stressed, my blood pressure goes up.  So my whole system is affected and I get a headache.  Check my pressure with my cuff and take my pills, go take a nap and hope I get up with a clear head and an answer to my problems.
By JudyK on 05/29/2009 1:33 am
joan larsen

An easy solution to all kinds of stress that we bump against constantly in life is, of course, talking it out with best friends.  I find that there is no need for pills or other so-called solutions.  We all know that these are band-aids instead of real help.  Well, I hope we do!  I find that help - comfort even - is only a phone call away.  My dearest friends always are there to listen, truly listen without interrupting - letting me get it all out - and as I have chosen these wonderful people well, I find I have been given warming hugs over the phone.  Hugs filled with love, filled with caring and, when needed, offers of help.

Often talking out your inner thoughts is the release that is needed.  I happen to call it "spilling" .  .  . and once shared, sometimes dissected, I find that I have the steps in hand to move on.  The problems with stress is that we "stew", swirling it ‘round and ‘round in our minds, finding ourselves unable to know where to turn.  We "take to our beds", hiding out. 

Life is too short, I find, to do that.  The most wonderful women I know - including several that write for WOW - are there for me when days are not so easy.  They write to me, talk to me, make me feel loved, and together that bridge is crossed.  And yes, there is bright sunshine again.  I cannot thank them enough!

I give of myself for my friends - for they are my first priority in my life and always will be.  I am there for them in their time of stress, of need.  Always.  And my love for them is returned.  We are each others’ free therapy, and I promise you that talking out what bothers you to those who you trust and who care is the very best prescription for the lift and the turn-around you need. 

  

 

 

By joan larsen on 05/29/2009 1:45 am
JeannotKensinger

Joan is so right, without my "Joan" fix my days would be much harder. Now if she could only help me not to open the refrigerator door that often ….then maybe  like Whoopi the derriere would be smaller.  My stress is fixed with food.

By JeannotKensinger on 05/29/2009 7:09 am
JamestheGame
Good thoughts, Joan. Hope all is well your way.
By JamestheGame on 05/29/2009 11:41 am
Cjay

BRAVO, Joan! As you and know, we cannot help others but we help ourselves. Didn’t we read that recently? ;-))

Hugs at ya!

By Cjay on 05/30/2009 3:35 am
AndreaBrandon
I agree with Joan, but since my friends are just as busy as I am, we don’t always have the luxury of having a friend available at that very minute to soothe the savage beast after her tirade’s done. So if I can’t go walk on the beach, I take it out on a bag of red licorice. Nothing like that jaw grinding to pump up the blood pressure. Somehow by the time the bag is empty [and I’m disgusted with myself for having gorged] the stress is gone. Luckily it doesn’t happen more than three or four times a year.
By AndreaBrandon on 05/29/2009 2:01 am
DonaHowlett

I don’t really like to shop……..(strange woman that I am) lol…..

But I do like to spend money………just getting something new, no matter how big or small always makes me feel better.

 

By DonaHowlett on 05/29/2009 2:55 am
CARose
I have TMJ, and find my appliance is almost worn through in many spots. I’m lucky I still have real teeth. I also get migraines. That covers it. CA
By CARose on 05/29/2009 4:34 am
Serena

C A,

Talk to your dentist about an NTI versus your normal appliance.

By Serena on 05/29/2009 11:34 am
JamestheGame
Serena, my normal appliance is the refrigerator. ;-0
By JamestheGame on 05/29/2009 11:42 am
Serena
Ah ha!!!  Hey there, Mr. James!!!
By Serena on 05/29/2009 12:21 pm
kermieb
Serena—I found this website (http://www.dental—health.com/tmjtmd_appliances.html) about NTIs.  I will discuss it with my dentist; I have worn mouthguards for years, and actually chew through them because my TMJ and migraines are so bad.  According to this article, many dentists don’t offer this choice because they weren’t taught how to make them in school!  I pay $300 everytime I chomp through a custom-made nightguard, and I don’t have dental insurance.  But I have my teeth.  For that I am grateful.  Thank you for alerting me to a device I had never heard of before.
By kermieb on 05/29/2009 2:32 pm
Serena

Hey Kermie!  My apologies, I just saw your post (I’m still waking up). 

I understand what you’re saying.  That’s the design flaw of mouthguards—they allow your back teeth to come together, so you still put pressure on your jaws.  An NTI prevents you from closing your mouth completely, and it’s not uncomfortable, and it sure as hell is better to wake up without the pain!  When I fall asleep without mine, I regret it in the morning.

Anyway, my NTI was about $250 and the thing is they are almost indestructable!   You cannot chew threw them—it is physically impossible.

Please also so the link I provided to C A Rose.

I hope you guys can find a dentist that will do this for you.  My dentist is a young guy, so he’s pretty much progressive and up-to-date on all the latest processes and techniques.  In fact, he wears an NTI himself.  I have NEVER regretted making this purchase!  BTW, my insurance (and probably most insurance companies) wouldn’t pay for this device—it’s rather new and they still consider it cosmetic.  They have NO CLUE!  Trust me, $250 (ONE TIME) is well worth every penny.

By Serena on 05/30/2009 7:08 am
Serena

Kermie/C A,

Also, on the same site I provided in another post, please see this demonstration without an NTI and with an NTI:

http://www.nti-tss.com/#

By Serena on 05/30/2009 7:14 am
Serena
… specifically, see the video under "Live EMG demonstration with and without NTI."  It’s down a bit on the page on the right-hand side.
By Serena on 05/30/2009 7:16 am