Poorly chicken

[Bramble]

Hi! This is a long shot, but I'm gradually cracking/splitting my teeth as I subconsciously keep "clenching" them (I think this is mainly a problem during the day, rather than at night which is more common).

I've resorted to chewing gum in the hope that I'm biting on that rather than on my teeth (if you know what I mean), but I'm told that potentially that can make the problem worse.

Anyone out there got any other suggestions (I'd love a mouth guard that I can wear during the day - I've already got a night guard, but can't find a "day" one anywhere).

Thanks in advance

[Olly]

I'm assuming you've already asked your dentist for help? I wonder if he/she could refer you to someone who specialises in this sort of thing.

 

Otherwise, how about something like Alexander Technique, which teaches you to relax muscles - it helped me a lot some years ago with persistent neck tension which was leading to headaches.

[Griffin]

Mr Griffin used to keep me awake at night clenching, chattering and grinding his teeth. His old dentist was useless but the new one he saw suggested filing down on the edges of some of the teeth, saying they were too jagged and that that was one of the reasons why he made so much noise at night with his teeth. It's certainly made a huge difference and I've only been woken up once since. I don't know why it's made a difference but it has!

[Bramble]

Thanks both. Yes, I've spoken to the dentist, she just says "try to stop clenching your teeth", very hard when I really don't know I'm doing it!

She suggested a night guard (I think that's what they're called), but she agreed that wouldn't be much good during the day, but I will mention the filing thing too (don't like the sound of it, but if it works ...

[Calamity Jane]

My daughter had orthodontic work on her teeth a few years ago. She now wears a retainer at night, it is made of clear silicone and is barely noticeable. If for some reason she has been unable to wear it one night ( stayed at boyfriends ! ) then she will wear it for a few hours in the day. I am sure something like this would work for you. Obviously you cannot have hot drinks or eat with it in - ask your dentist. It is probably something you would have to pay privately for. They just have to make a model of your teeth and then have it cast up -- similar to have a mouth guard made for sports.

[The Dogmother]

Sounds like the Invisalign things that a colleague has - they wear them night and day.

[Bramble]

Thanks all, I'll have a look at "retainers" (haven't googled that word!!!)

[sari]

Both George and I grind our teeth at night, and wear splints?night guards. ( Very attractive I must say!) I do it in the day too, and I am wearing my teeth down, and have some fine cracks in my incisors. For me, it's a symptom of my wider anxiety/social phobia. I have started to wear a hair band on my wrist which I snap when I feel myself clenching, and I periodically ( and surreptitiously ) open my mouth and stretch.I read this on an anxiety forum, for people who do unpleasant things to themselves as part of their anxious behaviour,, like hair pull, or scratch etc. Chewing gum helps, but obviously this is not always socially acceptable.....I'm having CBT for the social phobia...but the therapist doesn't think there's a specific therapy for teethgrinding ( I had to ask...she does irritate me!) Hope this helps?

[Bramble]

Brilliant, thank you Sari - my problem is resulting in me splitting pieces of my teeth - I won't have any left at this rate! I'm certainly sticking with the gum whilst I google other solutions!!! Good luck with your CBT!

[sari]

Cheers, it's really hard work...not just sitting and talking, I have to do things which make me panic..horrid really, but worth it if it works! Have you spoken to your GP, in case there is a muscular ore tension problem? Or maybe try some Kalms, they really helped me, when mildly stressed...I don't normally advocate pill popping, but Kalms seemed to work wonders when the OH was made redundant last year.