Solitary chicken - need advice

[surfer_chicken]

For the last two months I've been getting a dull pain on and off in by lower back molars when I chew etc. it was getting more frequent so I went to the dentist (worrying about a cavity) and he says I've been grinding my teeth. My SO claims not to have noticed me doing it in my sleep, but he's not very observant and we're both deep sleepers, but I'm inclined to believe the dentist as I had jaw pain a couple of years ago and I ruined the retainer I wore after my braces came off.

 

Has anyone had any experience with this before? What treatments did you try and do you think they worked? My dentist suggested a splint to wear at night time, which reading around seems to prevent you damaging your teeth but not actually stop the grinding. I'm going back for a scale and polish in two weeks and he'll take moulds then for the splint if that's what I decide to do

[kissinuk]

I used to have this, would even wake up with a locked jaw sometimes! Very painful, especially when you had to force the jaw open (ouch).

 

I had a mould taken of my lower teeth and they made some kind of rubber/plastic splint that covered the whole of my lower teeth. Wasn't particularly comfy but it did seem to help. I wasn't convinced I was actually grinding though, the whole thing stopped after I had all my wisdom teeth out.

 

Good luck!

[Bramble]

I'm inclined to clench my teeth more than grind them - I think I do it during the day (probably when I'm more stressed ) I have cracked LOADS of my teeth doing it and if I could go back in time I would definitely have tried to do something about it, but "Ooops, word censored!"ody told me that was (probably) the problem until quite recently. That said, I'm not sure what I COULD do about it if it's a daytime problem, can hardly where a splint then!

I've heard mixed reports about night splints, some people say it actually makes the problem worse - i.e. you're more inclined to grind your teeth wearing one, but you can't do as much damage.

I'd be interested to hear how you get on if you have a splint ... good luck!!!

[UKMARCH]

My OH had one as cracked a tooth and needed a crown due to grinding at night the dentist said three more were going the same way and took a mould and he had a thin silicone mouthguard to wear at night. He wore it for a while until he had some dental work done and then didn't get a new one made I think he must have stopped doing it now as the dentist hasn't reported any more problems.

[peachachecha]

I have worn one for years now. I am not aware that I still grind my teeth with it on but I have had no further problems. The first one I had my dog ate, so if you get one be sure to put it away as soon as you take it out. I had woke up to the phone ringing and left it on the bed side table and forgot about it. Came back and found bits of it on the floor. Dentist said the happens often, hehe.

[The Dogmother]

My neighbour's dog ate his old mum's false teeth once

 

I clench my teeth; I try not to during the day, but at night I seem to be rigid from the shoulders up

[Angie]

I grind my teeth. I also wear a night guard, especially when i'm in pain as my teeth are wearing down and are quite sensitive now. In fact I could do with a new one. ( My present one is12 yrs old and I have worn holes in my back teeth imprints .)

I wear mine on my upper teeth, it is more comfortable than a lower model for me.It has not prevented me from grinding my teeth just prevents the wear and tear.

[charly1979]

Years ago I was diagnosed with TMJ (temporomandibular jaw) caused by grinding my teeth at night. I too had a cast made out of some sort of rubbery plastic, it worked very well it showed I was grinding my teeth as I ground a hole in it !

 

Ive not needed the cast for years now as all touch wood seems ok I suspect I may still grind my teeth, the worrying thing is my 4yr old grinds his teeth in his sleep but the dentist doesn't seem too worried ??