Teeth Grinding

[Deleted member 29920]

Sorry to read you're in the same position :(

 

[BoN-bOn]

I am a grinder not only at night, but during the day too. Spent $400 on a custom mouth guard at the dentist & I woke up with it shattered in my mouth due to grinding! The molars on my left side are close to the nerves being exposed. :( I've done it since I was a little girl. Wish I had some answers for you. I'm a little afraid to even try any kind of mouth guards again.

 

[gealach]

I clench, constantly, and my gums and teeth are suffering for it. I tried a mouth guard without success. When things are really bad, that's when I find myself grinding my teeth, and it does wake me up if I'm sleeping (and haven't been woken by a nightmare, a strange sound, a random thought, a mouse fart across the street, restless legs, or the need to check on my jeep :banghead:).

 

[AngelKeeperJ]

I finally made an appointment with my dentist to see if my top denture is too loose. I wouldn't be surprised if I have worn it down enough to warrant getting it adjusted...but I don't know if I can "cough up" $300! Maybe a mouth guard would be helpful and cost less? Right now, I just take it out as soon as I notice the clenching in the daytime. I have to wear my upper full denture and my lower partial at night because my CPAP mask needs my facial structure to keep the suction tight. Otherwise I have to adjust it through the night.

In regards to dry mouth, which I get because of the air that blows from the CPAP, I use Biotene mouth moisturizing gel. It REALLy helps because it causes super saliva! It doesn't taste bad at all, and is safe for swallowing, since what goes in our mouth ends up in our stomachs in small amounts. It makes a HUGE difference!

Hygiene is an issue too....embarrassing as well...my bad. My activity level right now is practically nil, and that doesn't help. I need to get my teeth cleaned more often, too. I don't like the dentist, even though she is gentle and I have known her for years.

My therapist thinks it is anger that I am not dealing with. It makes sense. I have LOTS of anger at my mom because of the way she treated my dad, and I am her caretake now. She has the same behaviors...she ignores me when I walk by. That's what she did as us kids grew up, and did to my dad when he was alive. She "hides" in books and TV, or on the computer. She is very intelligent, IQ wise, but has ZERO emotional intelligence. She's a webmaster, and once computers came out, dad said she "married the computer." They would go for DAYS without real conversation. I also took care of him before he passed away. We were super close.

He was VERY depressed before he died, and he expressed that he didn't want to leave me alone with mom. I told him not to "stay" for me, and that mom and I would be fine. The holidays made my anger worse, because she found pictures of him when he was younger and posted them on Facebook, and said that she spent lots of happy Christmas's with "that young man". Well...that's "false advertising"... she was happily married, but he was far from it.....

Sorry I digressed off topic....

 

[Lee2001]

I grind teeth at night as well. I do order a night guard made from molds taken at dentist and then sent to lab. It fits perfectly and tolerable, and last for about two years for me. With out insurance it would be 300$ plus but with it is affordable. Have to do this or I would lose all of my teeth! Not fun!

 

[hodge]

Raises hand. Yep. I lost a tooth to grinding, as well. I also got a guard but can't bear to have it in my mouth, plus I have this freaky feeling it would somehow loosen more of my teeth.

But a few years ago, my GP gave me a tip that I've turned into a habit. She said to keep my tongue on the roof on my mouth. It really helps. Once I got used to doing it, I think I even do it in my sleep now.

I've recently gotten TMJ pain again due to extra stress, but the recommendation I've read there is to not keep your upper and lower teeth together. The only way I know to deal with that is to keep returning my focus to relaxing my jaws. And take ibuprofin to help alleviate the inflammation.

 

[EmmaOwl]

I am a grinder not only at night, but during the day too. Spent $400 on a custom mouth guard at the den...

Did you take the broken guard back to the dentist? That's their fault, not yours, and they ought to replace it. (Whether or not you're afraid to use it.)

 

[EmmaOwl]

Biotene mouth moisturizing gel. It REALLy helps because it causes super saliva! It doesn't taste bad at all, and is safe for swallowing, since what goes in our mouth ends up in our stomachs in small amounts. It makes a HUGE difference!

My dentist has recommended Biotene products for me... Dry mouth is an extreme problem for me. But I have not tried the gel. One worry is - I drink water pretty much constantly - I wake up throughout the night, thirsty- so wouldn't that wash the gel off immediately?

I know that's really a question for a dentist... but I am wondering what you think, as a patient and not the "professional", who sometimes don't understand that their suggestions can be impractical.

 

[watundah]

I got fitted this morning for a guard and am looking forward to getting that. I had an inexpensive one from the drug store and when it got too badly discolored, I put it in the dishwasher and it shrank up something awful! So don't every do that! :O_o: Thanks to a change in the insurance, they will cover at least part of it now so I'm glad I waited.

 

[AngelKeeperJ]

I drink water through the night when I wake up. I usually have a 4-5 hour period of sleep before I wake for the first time. I use the gel right at bedtime after I have had a good drink. I put a bit in my tongue and move it around my mouth. I really think I don't wake up thirsty as much. I haven't paid that much attention...

I tried the Biotene mouthwash, and toothpaste....they were nasty. Maybe they have improved them? The Gel isn't bad at all. You could put a little in your mouth after each drink. It might quench your thirst a little too. It's $8-$9 for a tube.

I use a CPAP machine, so the blowing air dries me out...

 

[EmmaOwl]

I tried the Biotene mouthwash, and toothpaste....they were nasty. Maybe they have improved them? The Gel isn't bad at all.

Aha! Ok thanks. I've disliked the mouthwash and so on, also. - There is a prescription extra-fluoride toothpaste, it's called Prevident 5000 and there is a separate formulation for dry mouth in addition to the fluoride. It's mint but mild flavor, I tolerate it pretty well. You might ask your dentist to write a prescription, though, and see if you have insurance that might cover it.

I've got about zero dental coverage, but my prescription plan covers this. Just a suggestion of something that I find helpful. It sounds like the Biotene gel would be worth a try for me.

I understand the CPAP thing, I have a home nebulizer and dry mouth from that can be even more unpleasant than plain old dehydration. I'm sorry you have to sleep with it.


Mini rant: I get so tired of this!! This is when I start to think, "Really? Do I have to have ANOTHER weird thing wrong with me? Isn't there enough already?"

 

[AngelKeeperJ]

LOL... I know how you feel! I had cataracts fixed earlier this year, AFTER TWO ACCIDENTS...then in September had "sudden hearing loss" which I never heard of, but it's not that uncommon. Bah-humbug!

I actually am happy to have the CPAP. I was falling asleep at the wheel after 10 minutes of driving... and NEVER felt rested, no matter how much sleep I got. I feel a LOT better, and am happy I found out that I have low oxygen episodes, AND stop breathing from 10-50 times per hour. I would have been more than likely headed for heart issues as a result of the strain on the heart.

I use Pronamel toothpaste. It's supposed to build up the enamel on teeth. I only have 3 "original" teeth and no dental insurance. I see my dentist Friday to check on possible night guard. I am sure it's pricey.

Good luck!