This week was brutal. Luckily, social media was there to cushion my fall . . . at 3:00AM, staring at my phone in the dark, because I had ground my teeth so hard that I woke myself up. On a related note, I feel like this is a group of women who might have recommendations for a good bite guard, so leave those in the comments.
I’m just grateful to work at a firm where I don’t have to have Teams and Slack. That’s a 🚩.
It’s spring. And snack cakes, these smaller, single layered cakes, that are usually thick enough to be eaten with your hands like a brownie, are worth your time. How gorgeous is this speckled Robin’s Egg blue snack cake? Also, for Easter, this hummingbird snack cake with brown butter frosting looks awesome.
If you’re not following Lydia Jane Tomlinson, stop what you’re doing and follow her. Her styling videos are so helpful to me. Her videos basically show you how to turn that B+ into an A.
I love how she explains why certain outfits work, but why an alternative you haven’t considered might be better. She restyled the outfit above, freshening up the concepts with more modern alternatives, and it’s fab. Love her.
This article on women and the financial experts they want to listen to was interesting. I recently signed up for Dow Janes based on an Instagram recommendation and, so far, I love it. It’s nice to have a service where the boilerplate content is useful, but I can also get personalized recommendation. It’s just nice to have a service that can meet you where you actually are financially.
Pinterest served me an ad for this gauze lounge set from the Gap. I lived in these last summer, and I think they’ll be getting a lot of repeat wear this summer. They’re light and breezy when you’re outside, but inside, you can layer a jacket or cardigan and they’re remote work ready.
I’m just going to leave this right here.
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My night guard is custom-fitted by my dentist (pricey but comfortable) but while most people’s last 5-8 years (my mom’s had hers for 10+), mine is on year 3 and nearly ground through, even though I’m a clencher not a grinder. As a care tip, I caved to the ads and got an ultrasonic cleaner for it (paired with Retainer Brite tablets) and it is the cleanest it has been since I first got it.
Abra – in addition to (or in lieu of) a bite guard, might I suggest looking into botox to help. I’ve had bruxism/TMJ issues for the last decade and about a year ago my dentist mentioned that some people get a therapeutic benefit from botox in the masseter muscle. I’ve done it twice now and it’s made a big difference! It took a little longer to kick in than the “11s” in my forehead that I’d already been doing botox for, but it seems to last longer (closer to 6 months).
Why is working at a firm that uses Teams a red flag??
Right? It’s standard business software!
Having Teams and Slack is a red flag. Because it’s always one group of people on Teams and one group on Slack.
Did you mean to say you’re glad you work at a firm that does not have those things? It looks like you’re criticizing your firm on the blog – and it doesn’t seem like that’s what you intended with the “grateful” part.
OH, yes – using BOTH tools in a single firm is annoying. I was also confused like some of the readers here, but yeah – I work in an enterprise setting that uses both and it is obnoxious for that very reason (we’re migrating from one to the other, but it isn’t an overnight change)
Definitely recommend getting your bite guard custom fit from your dentist – all the OTC ones are made for one size mouth and will likely be too big for yours.
Agree, got mine custom fitted at the dentist. I even wear during the day when my jaw hurts.
I have a custom-made night guard from my dentist. It looks like an old-school metal retainer in the front! I’ve had mine for over ten years, and my medical insurance actually helped pay for it. (My dentist is the greatest for that win!) My night-guard is like my kids’ blankies… I cannot sleep without it!
Funnily enough (actually, it’s not funny at all), I was at the dentist this morning because I’ve clenched my jaws so tight that I’ve cracked at least one molar. I will be getting a custom-fitted night guard, but until then, I’m headed out to get myself one I can mould in the microwave (Oral B looks like a good option) tonight.
Agree on the custom fitted dentist nightguard. Mine has lasted 8+ years and is 100% worth the money.
Cakes look gorgeous – great post.
I’d highly recommend botox to the masseter muscles for your grinding. I have several clients that I treat for this with great results.
Clenching & grinding was a new habit I picked up during the pandemic. I cracked a tooth and ground thru fillings as a result. I echo what others have commented here – get the custom night guard from your dentist. Insurance paid for part of mine, too. I also get masseter botox from a board certified dermatologist. It lasts 6 months – and in my experience – is cheaper than dental work.
Appreciate these tips on teeth grinding/clenching. I just chipped a front tooth. Dentist said it was probably from grinding/clenching without realizing it. Time for a night guard and maybe Botox (didn’t know that tip!).
Bite guards don’t stop the clenching/grinding. They protect your teeth, but you will grind the night guard, instead of teeth. The only relief I ever got was Botox in masater muscles. Unfortunately, I needed a lot, and every 3 months. Got too expensive, and sadly insurance will not cover (as they do with other medical issues Botox is used for). However , definitely try it. You may need less, and may last longer for you. Good luck!
I’ve been using this night guard that I got at target for almost a year. I like that it’s not a full tray for your teeth, it feels less obtrusive in my mouth. Link is to target but I’ve seen them at other drugstores.
https://www.target.com/p/dentek-professional-fit-dental-guard-for-nighttime-teeth-grinding-with-guard-fitting-tray-38-storage-case/-/A-14244161
I got a custom made night guard from my dentist in January for about $600 and it has been worth every penny. My sleep has improved so much – I think it’s helped my 8 month old sleep too (or I’m just sleeping through some of her little noises).
I cracked a molar too but just couldn’t stomach spending $1000 on a dentist night guard. At the recommendation of a friend I tried the J&S Lab custom night guard through Amazon. Three years in and I love it. They send you a kit to take an impression at home – you mail the impression back and they send you the night guard fitted to you. $120. I love mine.
If you’re looking at a bite guard, please be sure to get one that covers ALL of your upper teeth, and not just the front four. Otherwise, given time the guard can negatively impact your jaw alignment to the point of requiring either a long course of invisalign, or jaw surgery. Learned this the hard way…
I’d recommend a dentist that specializes in grinding/jaw pain–I got a custom guard from my regular dentist and it made my problem worse, not better. I kept having recurring dreams that I couldn’t get gum out of my mouth when I’d have it in and wake up sore.
Then I went to a more specialized dentist and it made all the difference in the world. She switched me from a guard on my upper teeth to one on my lower teeth and my grinding has gone down a lot, plus my neck is a lot less tense.