urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:1_up Kyle: Abridged 1_up 2038-01-19T03:14:07Z urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:1_up:38801 2038-01-19T03:14:07Z 2038-01-19T03:14:07Z My last visit to the dentist a few weeks ago not only consisted of an argument of whether or not I had a cross-bite so severe that it required braces, but also gave rise to the inquiry of whether or not I clench my teeth on a regular basis.<br /><br />This is because I made a note of some sensitivity to heat and cold in the back of my mouth - the far back molars - and ventured a guess in confidence that they were cavities; mostly because at my last visit I was warned against not getting sealants on them because the plaque gets into places I can't brush. Anyway, the doctor said I didn't so much as flinch when she dug her tool into my molar, so she asks if I clenched my teeth.<br /><br />I didn't understand what that had to do with it. But she said that people who clench their teeth often can experience similar sensations to cavity discomfort, just not regularly. Well, I can say that it regularly happens when I eat ice cream, or drink really cold water, but I don't get how I didn't react to the jagged metal edge of steel ...<br /><br />Point being, I've been very aware of my mouth actions lately and I often catch myself clenching! She must be right!<br /><br />This bodes another more personal question though - why do I clench so much! Am I so intense that I regard everyday activities with a ferver so strong that it borders on agression or even hostility? I think so!