Grinding Teeth

[Thirteen]

I agree with Laurie - when I don't wear it, I know. It's amazing what one little piece of plastic can do for your sleep habits.

[houseelf]

I definitely do this. I scarred the inside of my cheeks creating a mass that had to be removed. I, of course, thought it was cancer and freaked out. Nope it was just built up scar tissue.

I think we have another potential attribute for iMSN spouses: teeth grinding!

[peggyfromwastate]

At my last check up the hygeniest asked about stress- I can't even answer that question. It's a loaded question for me lol. People think that because I stay at home I don't have stress. Anyway, I guess it shouldn't be surprising that so many of us are teeth grinders.

I never considered that it could cause bad sleep though. That could possibly explain a lot for me personally.

I have a really messed up jaw, apparently it's not long enough so my teeth don't line up right and my bite is janked. That being said my teeth clenching/grinding is really bad because my teeth rub each other wrong to begin with. I have been told since I was 12 that I needed to have jaw surgery to lengthen it. I had tons of headgear (hella cool I know) and braces during middle school and high school. My parents always declined the surgery. When I was in college I went to a maxillofacial surgeon who told me that I could try a night guard but they were concerned that I would lose my "muscle memory" and be unable to chew properly or at all. This sounded odd to me and I never pursued either the surgery or a night guard because of it (and because I really don't want to have jaw surgery). I still clench my teeth and I plan to go see a dentist about a night guard but I was wondering if any of my fellow night time teeth gnashers had ever been told such a thing and/or experienced it??!!??

[SoonerTexan]

So the pharmacy night guard is working well except for a nasty little develop...it smells sour every morning, even though I thoroughly rinse it with hot water after I use it. Only soap will get rid of it and it comes right back. It's too gross for me to use--how do you guys keep yours clean??

[Thirteen]

Polydent soak

[ladymoreta]

I always brushed mine with toothpaste as I brushed my teeth in the morning. Not sure if that's technically okay...

Waaay back in the day when I had headgear/retainer I used denture soak, it worked.

[Michele]

I use denture tabs to clean my Sigg bottles.

[SoonerTexan]

Thank you. Never would have thought of venturing down the denture aisle. Kind of horrifying, actually.

[oceanchild]

I always brushed mine with toothpaste as I brushed my teeth in the morning. Not sure if that's technically okay...

I've been told that brushing makes it worse, actually. Denture tabs are the way to go. I always feel ridiculous when I buy them!

[peggyfromwastate]

How can you tell if you currently grind teeth? About 18 months ago I knew I was bc my jaws were sore and the hygienist noticed the cracks. Since then I have stopped chewing gum and I don't notice jaw fatigue. Dh is dead to the world when asleep or else he's snoring and keeping me up so he's no help.

The dentist wants me to buy an OTC mouth guard. I am skeptical. I just think I don't want to and I don't know if it's necessary. I am confused bc She said my tongue is "scalloped" or something on the edges and so that means I've been clenching my teeth. Not grinding at night, but clenching. She said they are different patterns. She said that at the start of the appt. Then at the end of the appt she says I'm a teeth grinder bc of the cracks in my teeth. But those have been there a long time so I don't know if they are new or what.

Is there any way to tell? I would guess the old cracks in my teeth won't just heal. And there are no new chips or anything.

This was the most stressful dentist I've ever been to. I really liked my old dentist though so I guess the bar is set high.

[Alacrity]

My dentist tells me I have the teeth of a 70 year old. Pretty impressive since I'm only 50

[ladymoreta]

I mostly clench, but it's bad. If you can fit it in your budget or if it's covered by insurance, I'd go with the night guard from the dentist instead of the OTC. I just got a new one, and it makes a huge difference.

[SoonerTexan]

How can you tell if you currently grind teeth? About 18 months ago I knew I was bc my jaws were sore and the hygienist noticed the cracks. Since then I have stopped chewing gum and I don't notice jaw fatigue. Dh is dead to the world when asleep or else he's snoring and keeping me up so he's no help.

The constant chipping was the first clue, but I didn't know for sure until DH heard me one night (he always falls asleep first)

FWIW, the OTC ones aren't bad. The ones from the dentist are super pricey, I'll warn you. I think mine was between $600-800