Dental Night Guards

[Natasha]

Has anybody ever had to use these???

The reason I ask is b/c apparently I clench my teeth in my sleep and it's causing fractures to my teeth which then lets in bacteria, causing cavities. My dentist wants me to wear a dental guard at night and they, of course, would like for me to be fitted for it at the office. HOWEVER...insurance won't pay a penny towards it and the cost is around $450.

I know that there are cheaper dental guards sold in the stores and I'm going to try those first and see how they work.

Anybody had any experience w/ either kind (dentist fitted or store bought) and what did you think???

 

[cam elle toe]

Bruxism is the official name, and I USED to suffer badly. I would wake myself up with the grinding.

You COULD go a cheaper model, or do what I did and take a remedy to cure it.

Beats having to wear a mouthguard. Is it stress related for you?

 

[Natasha]

I guess it could be stress related. I've caught myself clenching my teeth throughout the day before...never really realized I did it. I know I don't grind...my brother and nephew do, but not me. They've even told me that the clenching could be part of what causes my migraines.

What did you do to stop???

 

[JanieDough]

I had a real night guard that was fucking huge. I can't wear it though because I sleep with my face literally IN the pillow as much as possible while still breathing - so the big piece of plastic sticking out my mouth wasn't working for me.

Then there's those little plastic ones that are kind of similar to teeth bleaching trays - those are cheap to get done and don't last long, but I think the best option unless you really just chew through them - but it won't keep you from clenching - it just protects your teeth from grinding.

The chewy/rubbery ones actually promote clenching and biting down in your sleep...

That's all I know.

Despite knowing all this and having tried all them, I still clench and grind my teeth ALL the time and get headaches and split teeth and drive in fillings...

 

[cam elle toe]

I guess it could be stress related. I've caught myself clenching my teeth throughout the day before...never really realized I did it. I know I don't grind...my brother and nephew do, but not me. They've even told me that the clenching could be part of what causes my migraines.

What did you do to stop???

I took one of my Homoeopathics. I used to grind my teeth in time to whatever music I was listening to...thats how bad I was.

My dentist asked what the remedy was so she could recommend it, but YOUR remedy and MY remedy would more than likely be different, because we treat the symptoms AND the cause.

I can recommend a few if you like, but they may not help unless we get to the "why" of it.

 

[Natasha]

I took one of my Homoeopathics. I used to grind my teeth in time to whatever music I was listening to...thats how bad I was.

My dentist asked what the remedy was so she could recommend it, but YOUR remedy and MY remedy would more than likely be different, because we treat the symptoms AND the cause.

I can recommend a few if you like, but they may not help unless we get to the "why" of it.

That would be great. At least I'd have a jumping off point.

 

[Peter Parka]

My missus has a problem with this, she keeps waking me up in the night, grinding her teeth. She did get a mouth guard but she didn't get on with it for some reason or other.

 

[HottyToddyChick]

I'm a grinder!

I've worn my teeth down till my molars aren't hardly there.

 

[edgray]

I started grinding recently apparently. Not sure what I'm going to do about it, but I'd rather treat the cause (stress) than just deal with the symptoms.

 

[pjbleek]

my wife wears an upper every night....its just a generic and it works fine for her

 

[Guyzerr]

I'm a grinder as well and have had two guards made just for little ol' me. The first one didn't fit right and I couldn't sleep. The dentist had it re-made and I destroyed it in two or three nights. I woke up spitting acrylic all over the place. When I complained to the dentist he said " you're a strong guy and should of had it made from gold". Ya like I'm a fucking Rockefeller or something. In any event I've never gotten another. I tried going to bed chewing gum... I chew lots cus I also grit my teeth while I'm awake... but that lasted until I woke up with the stuff stuck all over my bloody beard. Now I just live with it.