i hate not having health insurance. my jaw feels like it's poking into my ear drum. it hurts to chew or open my mouth more than talking distance, and that is just unacceptable. it's been like this for a week. it's never been like this for more than a day before. i've gone in the past to get it checked out. my dentist told me to go to my doctor, who told me to go to my dentist, who told me to go to my orthodontist? none of them know what to do. the last person i talked to...i think when i switched dentists 2 years back? said that short of surgery or wiring my jaw shut (!), there was really nothing to do besides get a night guard and hope that it alleviated what they assumed was tmj. so i bought my nifty Kari from The Incredibles style night guard. but i've only made it through the night with it in twice. and it kind of pushes on the left teeth like my retainers used to so they're always kind of tender after about an hour. i'm basically miserable in my mouth. i tried eating bread and spreadable delicious garlic cheese tonight and i kept having to tear it in to teeny tiny pieces that my jaw could handle. this blows. :( i just want to eat everything!!