Mouth Guard? I've been told by my dentist that I need to use

[yy4me]

a Mouth Guard because I am grinding and clenching my teeth. My jaw is very sore and I've cracked a filling and worn down the enamel on molars. He suggested that I use the inexpensive ones available at a sporting goods store. Anyone use them? How hard is it to get accustomed to an extra mouthful of plastic? I thought the dentist told me they were thin. The one I bought today seemed thick, I don't know how i'll get used to it. It was from Sports Authority, Dicks sporting goods did not sell them except for the heavy duty type that an athlete would use. Any suggestions? Google yielded poor results. Nothing thinner than the one I bought. Any suggestions?

[rockymountaindem]

1. I got a custom-made one for the same reason

It's not uncomfortable (although the fact that I got it just after I got out of braces probably influenced my opinion), and it really helped the cracking/popping problem. If you've got the money to spend (around $100) I'd say it's worth it, or you could try just getting used to the ones you've got. It's not a big deal after awhile.

Now that I think of it, though, I think the reason mine is custom-fitted is so that it can also act as a retainer and serve a dual purpose. You might not need one after all in that case. However, I would still say that it's very thin and light.

[Mika]

2. I would suggest a bite appliance/night guard from a professional.*

Besides having more accuracy and less potential for damaging your teeth or TMJ, the material is more durable and less toxic.

{* - Disclaimer: Its what I do.}


-

[Captain Angry]

3. My dad got one from his dentist for the same reason.

He's been wearing different ones for decades. No effect on sleep or breathing.

[PCIntern]

4. Go to a full service drugstore

and buy the night guard which you fit yourself with boiling water - follow the directions exactly. I tell my patients to try those first, before they spend 400 dollars or so.

[izquierdista]

5. Hypnosis

A mouthguard will solve the immediate problem, but not the behavioral problem which is at the root of why you grind your teeth. You need to program your subconscious to RELAX your jaw, instead of tighten your jaw. Most of this grinding behavior is probably while you are asleep, which is why you need to use something like NLP or hypnosis to reprogram your subconscious.

If you have a clock that ticks second by second, you can try a relaxation where you start with your teeth clenched and each time you hear the second hand tick, relax your jaw a tiny bit. Try to go 15 or 20 seconds, each time relaxing your jaw and opening your mouth as the clock ticks. Make your jaw go side to side with each tick, opening a little bit with each tick. Close your eyes and focus only on making your jaw relax a tiny bit when you hear the clock tick. Practice the relaxation a few times until your subconscious understands the ticking as "relax your jaw", and sleep with the clock by your bedside. Your problem should go away and you won't need to use the mouthguard.

[Imagine My Surprise]

6. I just completed 9 months of dental work at U of L dental school...

and the last thing on the list is a bite guard, which I was fitted for this week. They are much cheaper at a dental school if you are near one. Also, most MEDICAL (not dental) health plans cover it because TMJ is a medical code they cover. Good luck.

[lizerdbits]

7. I have one

I was told the pressure in my ears and behind my nose was probably due to teeth grinding/TMJ problems. My insurance didn't cover it so I shelled out several hundred dollars for a fitted one because of the pain and wore it religiously for 6 months. No effect. It should protect your teeth though, but I never had any enamel/filling breakage issues. I'm not sure I was really grinding my teeth at all at this point since it didn't help and I haven't cracked teeth or fillings.

[Echotrail]

8. My dentist recently asked me if I grind my teeth

Said my teeth showed some unusual wearing and tiny chipping. I had no idea if I'm still grinding (used to as a teen) so I surveyed everyone in my home. Teeth grinding can get very noisy!

No one at home has noticed anything.

Wonder what else would cause it.

[Edward-M]

9. my teeth

need surgery but i dont wanna go cause the sleep drugs are dangerous. minor pain is okey dokey

[Edward-M]

10. i mean

my back teeth are slanted & rotten

[and-justice-for-all]

11. I wear one to bed...

My teeth grinding in my sleep gave me mega headaches and jaw pain.

I first bought an expensive 20.00 mouth piece, I wore it out and discover that you can get a sports teeth guard for a $1.00 and it works just a well if not better.

[IDemo]

12. I have worn a hard plastic one for several years

It works well, but I still wake up feeling as if my jaw has dislocated. My dentist told me I was the worst grinder he has seen.

[OnionPatch]

13. I wore one for years

My problem was not so much clenching, but a uneven bite that caused TMJ headaches. Wearing the mouthguard allowed my jaw to relax in the correct position. I had several made by dentists, but once I lost one on vacation and thought to try one from the sporting goods store. It worked as well as the two hundred dollar ones from the dentist. If you don't like the bulkiness, get creative with the scissors and trim them back a good bit before you fit them. I guess it took me a few times to get it right, but saved me a lot of money that I really couldn't afford to spend at the time.