Teeth grinding

staceytaylor0704

So I've evidently been grinding my teeth in my sleep again and my jaw hurts so badly right now. Anyone else experienced this and can recommend something to help until I can make it to the dentist? This is so uncomfortable

jelique7

I didn't grind my teeth but when I am in a lot of pain I clench my jaw. I couldn't afford to get a mouth guard from the dentist (600$) and I didn't know if it would stop once I was out of pain so I went to a sports store and bought a mouth guard for when I sleep.

It helped me not clench my jaw and I only used it for a week or 2, as soon as I was out of pain I no longer needed it. They have kinds that you can mold to fit your teeth for 10 bucks. It was a quick fix but they are not supposed to be long term. If you need one constantly then you should have your dentist make you one.

When my jaw hurt I would ice/heat my jaw to ease the pain. Ibuprofen is your friend. Sorry about the teeth grinding!

deepcovejackie

There are many good over the counter mouth guards.  These are about $30 (in Canada) at any major drugstore chain.  Ask a pharmacist to show you.  That should help, hopefully.  You probably should check with a dentist though, about whether you should wear one every night.  Griding your teeth can cause damage and tooth loss.

Just as a disclaimer, I'm not a dentist.  I've had some personal experience with this.

SEWF

Heating pad and ibuprophen. I have TMJ, which limits movement, causes popping, and pain, so I know what you are going through.

zippityb

Ditto the sports guard in the interim, but one provided by the dentist will be more comfortable. I got my dentist-made mouth guard in 2007 ( I think I paid around $175 and insurance covered the rest), and it has made a world of difference. I sleep better with it than I do without it. My mouth/jaw seems to be where I carry my tension, and the guard actually helps me remember to relax. Love it!

staceytaylor0704

Thanks y'all. I will try a cheap one for now, just to keep my teeth apart. I've noticed things like my right ear ringing, migraines, neck tension and all that lately plus my teeth and right jaw hurt... its no fun!
I know its probably coming from stress, and zippity- I guess its where I'm keeping all my tension too.
During the day, I've caught myself clenching my teeth together, which probably isn't helping.
I'm going to take some Aleve to hopefully help today, and go get a guard for tonight. Thanks again.

J&K10910

The only problem with the drug store ones is that if you're like me, you have a funny sized jaw, and the extra small adult sized ones were too big, and the kid sized ones were too small.  But they're cheap enough that it's worth a shot. 

Also, if your dental insurance won't cover a mouth guard through your dentist, have them ask your health insurance.  That was the case for me.

Also, It helped me on long car rides (I'd clench my teeth on long car rides, lord only knows why) to occasionally stretch my jaw open as far as it would go 3 or 4 times.  It helped keep it relaxed.  So if you find yourself clenching your teeth during the day, that might help that a little.

Blueyed228

I have TMJ as well. I got a really expensive guard made and it was a waste. I ground through it within 2 months. Plus it reminded me of the head gear of my early teen years. I would call your dentist. They told me my other option was for them to go in and snip the tendons in my jaw to loosen it up. No thanks lol.

jelique7

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_teeth-grinding?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:17Discussion:6b47ba3a-144f-4671-9e33-e32471c52952Post:d7680551-f6de-4507-a760-c5f58ac4eeaf">Re: Teeth grinding</a>:
[QUOTE]I have TMJ as well. I got a really expensive guard made and it was a waste. I ground through it within 2 months. Plus it reminded me of the head gear of my early teen years. I would call your dentist. They told me my other option was for them to go in and snip the tendons in my jaw to loosen it up. No thanks lol.
Posted by Blueyed228[/QUOTE]

That sounds like no fun! Ouch.

When I went to the dentist to see about a mouth guard my insurance didn't cover it, neither did my new insurance and I was not about to pay 500+ for a mouth guard.

TheCranberry

I wear a mouth guard at night.  I think I paid around $400 for it, and it was not covered by insurance.  My dentist notices a difference in my teeth and says the mouthguard has halted the wearing away from the grinding.  I'd say get a cheap one for now and then try to get the one from the dentist if you can.  Grinding can wear away your teeth, crack your teeth, etc.

To try to lessen the tension during the day, you can do different exercises: opening your mouth wide and closing it, moving your bottom jaw around, moving your head around to loosen the tension in your neck.  I noticed that I hunch my shoulders when I'm stressed so I'll try to remember to tuck them back down.  You can also try to get regular massages to alleviate the tension in your face/neck/shoulders.  I go to a massage school clinic, and it's around $35 for an hour long full body massage!

J&K10910

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_teeth-grinding?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:17Discussion:6b47ba3a-144f-4671-9e33-e32471c52952Post:350a8e53-d3d2-4355-8bc9-d3e6623a595e">Re: Teeth grinding</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Teeth grinding : That sounds like no fun! Ouch. When I went to the dentist to see about a mouth guard my insurance didn't cover it, neither did my new insurance and I was not about to pay 500+ for a mouth guard.
Posted by jelique7[/QUOTE]

Did you try doing it through your health insurance instead of your dental?

staceytaylor0704

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_teeth-grinding?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:17Discussion:6b47ba3a-144f-4671-9e33-e32471c52952Post:c55d95ad-2446-4d12-ad1b-662d98db731c">Re: Teeth grinding</a>:
[QUOTE]I wear a mouth guard at night.  I think I paid around $400 for it, and it was not covered by insurance.  My dentist notices a difference in my teeth and says the mouthguard has halted the wearing away from the grinding.  I'd say get a cheap one for now and then try to get the one from the dentist if you can.  Grinding can wear away your teeth, crack your teeth, etc. To try to lessen the tension during the day, you can do different exercises: opening your mouth wide and closing it, moving your bottom jaw around, moving your head around to loosen the tension in your neck.  I noticed that I hunch my shoulders when I'm stressed so I'll try to remember to tuck them back down.  <strong>You can also try to get regular massages to alleviate the tension in your face/neck/shoulders.  I go to a massage school clinic, and it's around $35 for an hour long full body massage!
</strong>Posted by TheCranberry[/QUOTE]

I'm liking this idea!!!

staceytaylor0704

blue- omg!!! That sounds horrible.

j&k- thats a good idea to try through health insurance instead of dental. I don't have dental insurance anyway, so I will check into that if the dentist recommends I get a custom one.

[Deleted User]

Ditto the others about the mouthguard. I wear one every night. I've lost the enamel on all my molars due to grinding and had to have a special filler put on top because the nerves were exposed. And my jaw pops every time I eat, and hurts like hell most days. TMJ sucks.

My mouthguard cost around $400, I think. I'm not sure how much insurance covered because I was on my dad's at the time and he paid for it. As for OTC guards, don't get a  rubber guard like athletes use. The rubber actually causes you to grind more because it's chewy. It will protect your teeth, but kill your jaw. Get a plastic one. Supposedly it works because when you grind on something hard your mouth automatically lossens up, kind of a subconscious reaction.

jelique7

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_teeth-grinding?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:17Discussion:6b47ba3a-144f-4671-9e33-e32471c52952Post:a77cb46f-5db4-4e40-bbbb-abe7dcff056e">Re: Teeth grinding</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Teeth grinding : Did you try doing it through your health insurance instead of your dental?
Posted by J&K10910[/QUOTE]

No I didn't check about doing that. Luckily I don't need one anymore. I had every single one of my ribs out and was trying to recover from a back spasm, all of the pain caused me to clench. As soon as I was almost back to normal I stopped clenching.