Grinding Teeth at Night

[brettdale]

Any suggestions, on how I can stop doing it at night?

I know the symptoms, it may get to a stage where I will have to sleep with a
mouth guard.

What can I do in the meantime??

Is there a way I should sleep?? (on my side or on my back)

Breathing methods?

A warm cloth on my cheek???

Anything else?

[jodymarie aimee]

1. have been doing it for 50 years

you need a TMJ expert. I have 4 built up teeth, resin...and a nite guard. Try keeping tongue on roof of mouth in the meantime.

[brettdale]

2. Cheers

Thanks for the advice

[MontanaMama]

3. After 21 years in dentistry

I can tell you that a night guard is a good recommendation. It should not be spongy or soft but rigid. Worn on your upper teeth with a flat plane underneath for your lower teeth to glide upon. Spnongy or soft over the counter night guards make you grind more...similar to having gum in your mouth - you can't NOT chew it. The office where I worked specialized in jaw joint dysfunction and implant and restorative dentistry. When I left that practice, a night guard cost around $600. Some insurance plans paid part of that, most plans did not. That said, an average crown (for a broken tooth) ranged in price from $980-$1500 (this was in 2012) so a $600 night guard appliance was a steal. Severe grinding can flex the roots of your teeth enough to the point where root canal therapy is necessary. The cost of a molar root canal is well over $1200 and then a crown has to be placed over the tooth - another $1200 at least!

I wear a night guard every night and have forever. I've only ever had two of them and I'm 53 years old - they last forever. The other remedies you cite in your post can help with the symptoms of grinding but as far as I know there are no reliable, predictable tricks to stop grinding. Your teeth need to last your life - and can - with good care. Try a night guard from a reputable dentist. Cheaper than crowns or restorative bonding by a long shot. Best wishes!!

[brettdale]

5. Thanks again

Very helpful

[WinkyDink]

9. I grind, but any taking of molds of my teeth make me gag, choke, and have a panic

attack for real. So grind I will.

[Sanity Claws]

4. Avoid coffee and alcohol

If I drink coffee and alcohol, I will grind my teeth at night. I feel it the next day.
I have to get off both entirely.

Here's an article that talks about causes of teeth grinding, http://www.express.co.uk/life-style/health/780430/stop-teeth-grinding-sleep-bruxism-guard-treatment

BTW, I have at the most 2 drinks a week and will feel the effect it has on my jaw. I used to drink one or two cups of coffee a day. Now I'm down to 2-3 cups a week and still feel get teeth grinding.

[Aristus]

6. A behavioral and emotional health evaluation can't hurt.

In a lot of cases, bruxism is a reaction to stress. I'm a firm believer in treating the underlying problem, and not just the symptom.

[tg]

7. First try an OTC night guard

My dentist recommended an OTC mouth guard. Go to a drug store and look in the tooth section. Mine (a CVS) had both "teeth spacers" and the type you put in boiling water then byte into.

I got one that fits between the back molars with a small strap around the front. I got used to it quickly and it helped the first night. Sometimes it moves around but I can usually get it back in place with my tongue.

[Kali]

8. have a sleep study done

it can be a symptom of sleep apnea

[True Dough]

10. Take out your dentures!

Problem solved.

[brettdale]

11. haha

haha!